Illinois Participation in TLE State Partnership Program Advances Student Data Privacy in Districts Statewide

 

Washington, D.C. (October 8, 2025) — CoSN today announced that Beach Park School District 3 in Beach Park, Illinois, has been awarded the Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Mini Seal for the Leadership Practice. The district is one of seven in Illinois to earn a TLE Seal or TLE Mini Seal. To date, TLE Seal recipients nationwide have improved privacy protections for over 1.3 million students.

The CoSN TLE Seal is a national distinction awarded to school districts that uphold high standards for protecting student data privacy across five key practice areas: Leadership, Business, Data Security, Professional Development and the Classroom. The TLE Mini Seal allows districts to demonstrate progress in one or more of these areas as they work toward earning the full Seal.

In September 2024, Illinois joined the TLE State Partnership Program, providing all districts in the state with unlimited free TLE Seal applications and renewals, statewide benchmarking across 25 core privacy and security practices, and targeted resources to close identified gaps. Through this state initiative, Beach Park School District 3 joined one of two pilot cohorts focused on the leadership and business practices.

To qualify for the Mini Seal in the Leadership Practice, districts must:

  • Build and maintain leadership knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, community expectations and best practices in student data privacy;
  • Develop and update policies that establish requirements for compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations and school system rules;
  • Set clear expectations for the protection of student data privacy and security, as well as the transparent use of data;
  • Designate an executive leader responsible for the development and implementation of data privacy and security policies and practices;
  • Provide transparent, up-to-date and accessible communications to the community about student data practices; and
  • Allocate adequate resources to support data privacy and security needs.

“Beach Park School District 3 is setting a powerful example of what it means to lead with trust,” said Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN. “Their commitment to strong leadership practices shows that student data privacy isn’t just a technical issue — it’s a core value. We’re proud to recognize their progress through the Trusted Learning Environment Mini Seal.”

“Every day, we ask our students to be brave explorers — to take risks, to be curious, to learn. As leaders, we have to meet that same standard when it comes to protecting them. Earning the Trusted Learning Environment Mini Seal shows that our care for students doesn’t stop at the classroom door. It extends into every click, every login, every digital space they enter,” said Dr. Denise Wilcox, Superintendent, Beach Park School District 3.

The CoSN TLE Seal is the only privacy framework designed specifically for school systems. Earning the TLE Seal requires that school systems have taken measurable steps to implement, maintain and improve organization-wide student data privacy practices. All TLE Seal recipients are required to demonstrate that improvement through a reapplication process every two years.

CoSN recently released a case study, “Improving Data Privacy in Illinois With CoSN’s TLE State Partnership Program,” showcasing how Illinois school districts — including Beach Park School District 3 — are using the TLE framework to accelerate progress in student data privacy and security across the state.

To learn more about the TLE Seal Program, visit: www.cosn.org/trusted

About CoSN
CoSN, the world-class professional association for K-12 EdTech leaders, stands at the forefront of education innovation. We are driven by a mission to equip current and aspiring K-12 education technology leaders, their teams, and school districts with the community, knowledge, and professional development they need to cultivate engaging learning environments. Our vision is rooted in a future where every learner reaches their unique potential, guided by our community. CoSN represents over 13 million students and continues to grow as a powerful and influential voice in K-12 education. www.cosn.org

About the CoSN Trusted Learning Environment Seal Program
The CoSN Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal Program is the nation’s only data privacy framework for school systems, focused on building a culture of trust and transparency. The TLE Seal was developed by CoSN in collaboration with a diverse group of 28 school system leaders nationwide and with support from AASA, The School Superintendents Association, the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) and ISTE+ASCD. School systems that meet the program requirements will earn the TLE Seal, signifying their commitment to student data privacy to their community. TLE Seal recipients also commit to continuous examination and demonstrable future advancement of their privacy practices. www.cosn.org/trusted

About Beach Park School District 3
Beach Park School District 3 is a vibrant learning community in northern Lake County, Illinois, where curiosity and connection spark every classroom. Serving about 2,000 diverse students across four schools, the district’s mission is to empower every child to learn, lead, and succeed. Through their bold strategic plan and this year’s theme — “Sparking Curiosity, Igniting Core Memories” — BPD3 continues to model what it means to lead with trust, innovation, and care. That commitment extends beyond the classroom, ensuring the safety of every student — physically, emotionally, and digitally. www.bpd3.org