School Law Update: Edtech during the 2025-26 School Year
School leaders - get up to speed on the latest state and federal school law developments so that you can confidently plan for the school year ahead.

Come learn with us at an upcoming workshop, webinar, networking event, or conference.
Both in-person and online, every event is an opportunity to discover new resources, embrace best practices, and grow your impact as an edtech innovator.
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School leaders - get up to speed on the latest state and federal school law developments so that you can confidently plan for the school year ahead.
Where do you see your school's technology in 5 years? Come chart a course toward a strong, realistic 5-year technology plan on this week's Be Connected. From aligning with district goals to planning for infrastructure, devices, and cybersecurity, we’ll cover what it takes to future-proof your tech roadmap.
This immersive workshop plunges you into the heart of a cyberattack, where carefully crafted digital lesson plans become useless, administrators scramble to communicate, and anxiety ripples through the school community.
This immersive workshop plunges you into the heart of a cyberattack, where carefully crafted digital lesson plans become useless, administrators scramble to communicate, and anxiety ripples through the school community. But amidst the chaos, resilience emerges. Teachers tap into their creativity, communities rally together, and IT professionals fight back against the unseen enemy. Learn to identify threats, implement robust security, teach creatively without tech, and foster cyber awareness. Turn crisis into opportunity and become a cyber-savvy educator ready for any digital challenge.
Get ready to roll into the future of education with Sphero Bolt+! This workshop invites you to unlock the power of play and explore the endless possibilities of this cutting-edge robotic ball.
This hands-on workshop is designed for teachers of all grade levels who are interested in exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom. Participants will learn about the basics of AI, including its different types and applications. They will also explore how AI can be used to support teaching and learning, such as for personalized learning, adaptive assessments, and content creation.
Explore the exciting world of 3D printing in this hands-on workshop, designed for both beginners and intermediate users. We'll start by mastering the basics of 3D design using Tinkercad, and then move on to slicing with common slicing software. Discover the essential steps to prepare your digital designs for physical creation. For those with some experience, we’ll dive a little deeper into design techniques and slicing strategies to optimize your prints, without overwhelming you with advanced technicalities. Learn how to translate your digital designs into tangible objects, gaining practical experience and confidence. This interactive session will equip you with the knowledge to bring your creative projects to life, regardless of your 3D printer.
Explore the exciting world of 3D printing in this hands-on workshop, designed for both beginners and intermediate users. We'll start by mastering the basics of 3D design using Tinkercad, and then move on to slicing with common slicing software.
This interactive workshop is designed specifically for school principals looking to streamline their processes and maximize their impact in their school improvement planning. Grounded in the Illinois State Board of Education's "Continuous School Improvement Model," this session offers a unique blend of best practices and cutting-edge AI tools.
This workshop equips school administrators with the knowledge and confidence to lead engaging conversations about artificial intelligence with their communities.
The use of drones is rapidly expanding across various industries, presenting new and exciting opportunities for students to engage in STEM learning and develop skills relevant to the future workforce. This hands-on workshop will explore how codeable drones can be seamlessly integrated into the classroom to foster coding skills, spark an interest in STEM, and prepare students for future tech-powered work opportunities.
Join us for an engaging session that will take you through a brief history of AI, highlighting its evolution and current advancements, particularly in generative AI. We'll delve into the concept of AI literacy, providing foundational knowledge and practical strategies for integrating AI into your educational practice. Discover the implications of AI for education, and embark on this exciting journey to understand and leverage AI, making a significant leap in your educational approach.
Ready to get hands-on with the power of Artificial Intelligence in your classroom? In this session, we will embark on a journey through a series of increasingly powerful AI tools. Designed for teachers of all tech comfort levels, this session demystifies AI and provides valuable hands-on experience.
CS Fundamentals is an introductory workshop designed for elementary educators new to teaching computer science who want to explore how to begin teaching Code.org's CS Fundamentals curriculum. Over 85,000 teachers have participated in this original workshop already, allowing their schools to grow their in-district capacity for teaching robust CS courses!
Join your peers and experienced facilitators to get a hands-on intro to computer science, pedagogy, overviews of the online curriculum, and Code.org's teacher dashboard, as well as strategies for teaching “unplugged” classroom activities.
Explore real-world examples of how schools are currently using AI to enhance educational outcomes and streamline operations. Learn to strategically integrate AI solutions, address ethical and privacy concerns, and nurture a culture that embraces technological advancements.
Dive into the world of AI-driven education with this hands-on workshop. Explore cutting-edge tools like Brisk Teaching and Magic School, designed to streamline your teaching workflow and enhance student engagement. Discover how to leverage AI for tasks like generating personalized learning materials and providing instant feedback. Additionally, learn the fundamentals of AI image creation, enabling you to produce visually stimulating content for your lessons.
As AI becomes a key player in education, establishing clear policies and guidelines is essential for responsible use in schools. This workshop provides school/district leaders with practical tips and resources to create tailored AI policies that align with district goals, as well as built-in work time to begin collaborating and crafting district-specific plans.
As AI becomes a key player in education, establishing clear policies and guidelines is essential for responsible use in schools. This workshop provides school/district leaders with practical tips and resources to create tailored AI policies that align with district goals, as well as built-in work time to begin collaborating and crafting district-specific plans.
This workshop is designed to help participants understand the importance of computer literacy, digital literacy, AI Literacy, and digital citizenship and how these skills are necessary for all students to be successful in the classroom, their careers, and for the rest of their lives. Participants will learn the differences between computer literacy, digital literacy, AI […]
This workshop is designed for district-level administrators who are eager to learn how to leverage the power of AI for increased efficiency and productivity. We'll move beyond the theoretical and dive into practical applications of AI tools that can be implemented immediately.
Open to SummIT attendees and all K-12 technology leaders, this course lays the groundwork for collaboration among individuals and organizations responsible for both physical and cybersecurity - including K-12 schools, law enforcement, and more.
Join fellow K-12 CS educators for a 5-day learning experience centered on building prosperous computer science programs in every Illinois school district.
Gain valuable insights and practical strategies for tackling the toughest IT issues facing your school district while connecting with fellow tech directors and IT staff in a collaborative environment.
Come discover AI's current and future role in education during the Area 6 AI Summit, hosted by the Learning Technology Center, ROE 12, ROE 13, ROE 20, ROE 21, and ROE 30.
K-12 school leaders: discover how to successfully meet Illinois' computer science learning mandates by following research-informed practices for creating an implementation plan.
Are you ready to learn more about the science of reading? In this series of professional development, we’ll discuss elements that are critical for understanding the science of reading. Learn about topics like phonemic awareness, phonics, and fluency, just to name a few. Your trainer will take you through pedagogical considerations, essential concepts, and screening/assessment tools you can start using to help as you teach and remediate reading. Whether you’ve never been instructed on the science of reading philosophy or are looking for a refresher, we’ve got you covered!
AI isn’t making our current classrooms obsolete. But if we harness this new tool for learning now, we can future-proof our classrooms and better prepare our students for many evolving learning paths ahead.
Are you ready to learn more about the science of reading? In this series of professional development, we’ll discuss elements that are critical for understanding the science of reading. Learn about topics like phonemic awareness, phonics, and fluency, just to name a few. Your trainer will take you through pedagogical considerations, essential concepts, and screening/assessment tools you can start using to help as you teach and remediate reading. Whether you’ve never been instructed on the science of reading philosophy or are looking for a refresher, we’ve got you covered!
Join us for a hands-on workshop for educators ready to advance their AI journey. We'll cover the basics of AI, its impact on education, and practical classroom applications. Through group discussions and activities, you'll explore AI tools and create prompts to boost productivity. We'll focus on integrating AI into teaching strategies while addressing ethical and responsible use. By the end, you'll leave with practical strategies to confidently use AI tools, innovate curriculum design, and adapt teaching practices to meet diverse learners' needs.
This hands-on session will guide you through using Canva’s templates presentation tool, the whiteboard, and docs for lesson plans and student collaboration. Through group discussions and activities, we will explore Canva's Magic Studio tools like Magic Write, Design, Edit, and Eraser to help you effortlessly generate creative text, design captivating visuals, and enhance images.
Are you ready to learn more about the science of reading? In this series of professional development, we’ll discuss elements that are critical for understanding the science of reading. Learn about topics like phonemic awareness, phonics, and fluency, just to name a few. Your trainer will take you through pedagogical considerations, essential concepts, and screening/assessment tools you can start using to help as you teach and remediate reading. Whether you’ve never been instructed on the science of reading philosophy or are looking for a refresher, we’ve got you covered!
What if you could tap into the captivating world of TikTok and YouTube to bring your lessons to life? This workshop explores the art of digital storytelling in the classroom. Learn how to guide your students in creating their own content using Canva, connecting your curriculum to the digital narratives they love. Join us and discover the power of student-created stories!
Teachers (4th-12th grade) will explore how to incorporate Tinkercad into the math, science, or computer classroom. Teachers will design their own object with TinkerCad which will be printed using a 3D printer. Teachers will learn about Spheros and also discover free tech tools (pattern blocks, sweethome3d, flipanim, Phet.Colorado.EDU, Physlets.org/tracker, GIS, Desmos) that add in the teaching, learning, and application of STEM topics.
This program enables students to explore modern farming technology, data-driven decision-making, and real-world applications of STEM. With a flexible, web-based platform, it’s also accessible on any device, making it easy for educators to integrate into their teaching.
In this session, we'll focus on how you can create interactive assignments and collaborative projects using Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drawings. Along the way, we'll also highlight practical strategies you can use to elevate technology use in your classroom, starting within the familiar Google ecosystem.
Discover how artificial intelligence is influencing today's classrooms and learn practical ways to integrate it into your teaching. This workshop offers a clear look at key AI trends, from tools that personalize learning and support students, to those that can assist with everyday tasks.
This workshop provides school/district leaders with practical tips and resources to create tailored AI policies that align with district goals, as well as built-in work time to begin collaborating and crafting district-specific plans.
Are you interested in learning more skills to support tech-powered learning? Join us for a productive day dedicated to certification preparation geared toward K-12 tech staff and educators.
This workshop is designed for special education teachers seeking to elevate their foundational AI skills. We'll explore advanced prompting and expanded AI toolsets, empowering you to create deeply personalized learning experiences. Master AI's ability to develop data-driven IEP goals, implement progress monitoring, and craft targeted behavior plans. Learn to effectively employ AI for advanced differentiation and tailored accommodations, ensuring every student thrives.
Designed like a video game, this self-paced experience lets you level up by reading and completing hands-on challenges. Join in to earn up to 9 PD credits + learn directly from author during a capstone Q&A.
Hear insights from a leading edtech voice on how AI is reshaping teaching and learning, as well as answers to your questions about technology's evolving role in the classroom.
Learn, collaborate, and connect with fellow edtech enthusiasts and leaders during a multi-day professional learning experience ideal for collaborating one-on-one with peers and forging meaningful connections.