Hive takedown puts ‘small dent’ in ransomware problem

Successful law enforcement actions against ransomware can only do so much. The threat is omnipresent, lucrative and largely in the shadows.

By Matt Kapko • Feb. 6, 2023

LA County to offer free mental telehealth services for all students

The county will join Hawaii in offering all of its schools virtual mental health services, free of cost to its students.

By Naaz Modan • Feb. 3, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

STEM

From AI to quantum physics, STEM learning opportunities in K-12 are expanding to keep pace with related fields.

By K-12 Dive staff

FTC approves order requiring Chegg to tighten data security

The ed tech provider experienced four security breaches since 2017, exposing sensitive data of millions of its customers and employees.

By Roger Riddell • Feb. 2, 2023

Will there be a ‘Big Bang’ in education research in 2023?

The head of the Institute of Education Sciences sees two key areas as having potential for major breakthroughs.

By Mark Schneider • Feb. 1, 2023

Greater commitment, collaboration key to addressing digital divide for Black communities

Taking an audit of underserved locations and partnering on subsidies for devices and services are crucial for digital equity, McKinsey & Co. says.

By Anna Merod • Jan. 31, 2023

Data highlights students’ social media usage as schools’ concerns grow

YouTube is the most common app used weekly by 4th-12th graders, according to a survey conducted by The Social Institute.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 31, 2023

Question of the Month: What are your New Year’s resolutions for your school or district?

From promoting school culture and instilling hope to making progress on academic recovery, four leaders share their goals for 2023.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 30, 2023

FBI foils ransomware network that targeted school districts

The Hive ransomware ring received over $100 million in ransoms since 2021 by attacking school districts, hospitals and critical infrastructure globally.

By Anna Merod • Jan. 27, 2023

Pop Quiz: Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

From new K-12 cybersecurity guidance to an expansive preschool initiative in Hawaii, what did you learn from this week's stories?

By Anna Merod • Jan. 27, 2023

CISA: K-12 cybersecurity change falls on leaders, not just IT staff

A report mandated by the K-12 Cybersecurity Act of 2021 calls for multi-factor authentication, strong training programs and partnerships to raise awareness.

By Anna Merod • Jan. 26, 2023

Los Angeles school system shifts timeline of ransomware attack

Post-breach investigations are complex. The timeline and scope of damage inflicted often change as investigations unfold.

By Matt Kapko • Jan. 24, 2023

NYC schools restrict the use of ChatGPT, with some exceptions

New York City Public Schools blocked the AI chatbot districtwide as some question the technology’s role in the classroom.

By Anna Merod • Jan. 11, 2023

HMH to acquire nonprofit NWEA

NWEA's MAP Growth assessment schedules and tools will not be affected by the acquisition, the organizations said.

By Kara Arundel • Updated Jan. 11, 2023

Cyberattack forces Iowa’s largest school district to cancel classes

The scope of the cyber incident at Des Moines Public Schools is still unknown as the district works to recover its network.

By Anna Merod • Jan. 11, 2023

Seattle Public Schools sues social media companies amid youth mental health crisis

Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube and TikTok played a major role in harming students’ mental health, the district’s lawsuit claims.

By Anna Merod • Jan. 11, 2023

Meta calls for increased regulation of child safety online

The social media giant wants more coordinated action after its first-ever Youth Safety and Well-Being Summit.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Jan. 11, 2023

Louisiana superintendent calls for removing TikTok from school devices

TikTok’s “lack of data privacy measures are extremely concerning,” said the state’s superintendent of education in a memo advising schools to ban the app.

By Anna Merod • Jan. 10, 2023

Nearly all ed tech apps share students’ personal information

A study by Internet Safety Labs found 79% of apps reviewed could access student location data.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 9, 2023

Teaching students about AI without breaking a school budget

Effective learning tools that focus on how AI works can be affordable and sometimes woven into any class subject, one expert says.

By Lauren Barack • Jan. 4, 2023

8 K-12 trends to watch in 2023

Academic recovery, family engagement, cyberthreats and school security concerns are among challenges coming at school leaders from all sides.

By Roger Riddell , Naaz Modan , Kara Arundel , Anna Merod • Jan. 4, 2023

Ransomware hit US schools at steady rate in 2022

The true numbers are likely much greater. Not all incidents are publicly disclosed or claimed as such by threat actors on the dark web.

By Matt Kapko • Jan. 4, 2023

Little Rock School District approves $250K payment in ransomware settlement

Federal agencies including the FBI discourage paying ransoms in such cyberattacks as there is no guarantee victims’ files will be recovered.

By Anna Merod • Dec. 16, 2022

FCC seeks public comment on its role in school cybersecurity

The agency is asking for feedback on how its E-rate program could expand to cover cybersecurity improvements, such as advanced firewalls.

By Anna Merod • Dec. 15, 2022

Will the FCC reevaluate E-rate’s role in school cybersecurity protections?

In a letter to the agency, Rep. Doris Matsui said the FCC should revisit its “abilities and limitations” to combat cybersecurity threats in schools. 

By Anna Merod • Dec. 13, 2022

3 steps to building a strong digital transformation strategy for your school

It’s now essential that educational institutions develop robust plans that make technology implementation successful and support the best learning outcomes for every student.

By Coby Gurr, General Manager, Education Software, Lenovo • Dec. 12, 2022