MidHudson25

Education thrives on insights, not just raw data. Greece Central offers a powerful use case for deploying an AI-powered data integration platform. By seamlessly merging information from multiple platforms, educators can make data-driven decisions that benefit students both inside and outside the classroom. Follow Greece's journey through the eyes of an administrator and practitioner. This presentation will explore the following: Education today faces the challenge of turning raw data into actionable insights. GCSDs platform seamlessly merges information to empower educators in making data-driven decisions. The Role of Insights in Education Insights derived from data help educators understand student performance, engagement, and needs. Traditionally, data has been fragmented across different systems (grades, attendance, behavior), limiting its utility. Challenges in Data Integration Educational institutions struggle with integrating data from disparate sources. Manual integration is time-consuming and prone to errors. Real-time access to consolidated data is crucial for timely interventions. Benefits of AI-Powered Data Integration Enhanced Decision-Making: Educators can make informed decisions based on comprehensive, real-time insights. Personalized Learning: Tailoring educational experiences to individual student needs becomes feasible. Improved Outcomes: Predictive analytics can identify at-risk students early for targeted interventions. Use Case: Student Performance Tracking Scenario: Analyzing student performance across subjects and assessments. Insights: Identify trends, strengths, weaknesses, and correlations affecting academic outcomes. Outcome: Adjust teaching strategies, offer personalized support, and foster student success. Use Case: Behavioral Analysis Scenario: Tracking student behavior patterns and disciplinary incidents. Insights: Identify behavioral trends and interventions. Outcome: Implement proactive strategies to improve school climate and student conduct. Use Case: Resource Allocation Scenario: Optimizing resource allocation based on enrollment trends. Insights: Efficiently allocate budgets, staff, and facilities to maximize educational outcomes. Outcome: Improve operational efficiency and resource utilization. Implementation Strategy Data Integration: Seamless integration of existing educational data systems. Customization: Tailoring analytics dashboards and reports to meet specific institutional needs. Training: Providing educators with training on utilizing data insights effectively. Conclusion AI-powered data integration through GCSD transforms education from data-rich to insight-driven. Empowers educators to make informed decisions that positively impact student outcomes. Future of education lies in leveraging insights to foster holistic student development.

In an era of increasing cyber threats, K-12 schools must proactively safeguard their networks, data, and infrastructure. This session explores Monroe-Woodbury Central School District’s (MWCSD) journey in adopting the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) to enhance its cybersecurity posture.
Attendees will gain insights into:

• The key challenges faced by K-12 institutions in cybersecurity.
• How Monroe-Woodbury CSD implemented NIST CSF to strengthen risk management and resilience.
• Lessons learned, best practices, and practical strategies for integrating NIST CSF into existing IT operations.
• Collaboration efforts with stakeholders, staff training, and fostering a cybersecurity-aware culture.

This session is ideal for IT leaders, administrators, and educators looking to enhance their cybersecurity frameworks and protect their schools from evolving digital threats.

A modern communications platform is far more than just a phone system.  School organizations are beginning to transform communications, safety, and collaboration with fully integrated ecosystems specifically designed for school districts.
 
This session will provide district administrators and Chief Technology Officers with a broad vision of how cloud-based communications can and is reshaping the way schools connect. The next generation of cloud communications environments empower school teams with unmatched flexibility - enabling staff and administration to work from virtually anywhere – and integrate seamlessly with advanced emergency management systems.  These solutions are also packed with opportunities to enhance collaboration, making district/building teams and departments work faster, smarter, and more efficiently than ever before.  
 
Participants in this session will:

• Learn about this new ecosystem combining enhanced voice communications, emergency notification, incident/event management, and powerful collaboration tools.
• Collaborate to identify gaps in current district communications platforms and discuss how a modern communications system would potentially work within the participants’ districts (including integration with existing tools such as Microsoft 365 Copilot and Google Workspace). 
• Consider future developments in the integrated ecosystem, including the introduction of wearable devices for life safety. 

 

At CDW, we are proud to be more than just a supplier of technology products. We are a comprehensive technology partner, committed to providing innovative, scalable, and secure IT solutions that meet the complex needs of today’s digital environment. Here’s how we can help transform your IT and security infrastructure by our CDW Amplified Cybersecurity Architecture and Design Services, CDW Amplified Workspace Services, CDW Amplified Support Services, CDW Amplified Comprehensive Security Assessments, CDW Amplified Penetration Testing, Application Testing, Purple and Red Team, CDW Professional Implementation Services and Staff Augmentation Support, CDW Amplified Data Security Solutions, Professional Workshops and Training, CDW Proof of Concepts (POC), CDW Managed Security, Network, Backup Services, XDR, and EDR Services, CDW Amplified Incident Response and Threat Remediation, Cloud Security and Compliance, and Secure Data Backup and Recovery.

 Let's explore how educators can leverage emerging technologies, adaptive learning strategies, and student-centered approaches in response to students' needs. Attendees will gain insights into successful models of teacher-driven innovation, practical strategies for fostering a culture of experimentation, and the critical role of district leadership in supporting these efforts. By examining real-world examples, we will discuss how to balance innovation with scalability, sustainability and security.

In recent years, there has been an intensified focus on cybersecurity within the K-12 educational sector, driven by local, state, and federal agencies. Notably, between 2023 and 2024, several pivotal reports have been released, offering strategic guidance tailored to the K-12 environment:

• “Protecting our Future: Partnering to Safeguard K-12 Organizations from Cybersecurity Threats” by the US Department of Homeland Security and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (January 2023)
• “K12 Digital Infrastructure: Defensible and Resilient” by the US Department of Education (August 2023)
• “K12 SIX Essential Cybersecurity Protections: 2022-2023/2023-2024” by K12 SIX (Annually)
• “Cybersecurity Guidance for K-12 Technology Acquisitions” by CISA (August 2023)

These documents converge on a set of best practices and core principles for the K-12 cybersecurity landscape. While the recommendations are essential, translating them into practice within diverse organizational cultures and political climates presents challenges.
Our session will outline effective strategies for implementing these recommendations and securing executive-level support to enhance cybersecurity postures. We will share insights from the West Irondequoit Central School District’s journey from policy to practice.