Burke County Public Schools Earns National Recognition for Student Data Privacy Work

 

Washington, D.C. (August 26, 2024) – CoSN today awarded the Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Mini Seal in Leadership and Classroom practices to Burke County Public Schools. The CoSN TLE Mini Seal is a national distinction awarded to school districts that implement rigorous privacy policies and practices to help protect student information.

The CoSN TLE Seal Program requires school systems to have implemented high standards for protecting student data privacy across five core practice areas: Leadership, Business, Data Security, Professional Development and Classroom. The new TLE Mini Seal Program allows school districts across the country to earn recognition for one or more practice areas, providing districts with feedback and guidance on their privacy practices before tackling the full TLE privacy framework.

“Congratulations to Burke County Public Schools for earning the Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Mini Seals in the practice areas of Leadership and Classroom. This achievement is a testament to their dedication to safeguarding student data privacy. It also highlights the effectiveness of the partnership between CoSN and the North Carolina Department of Instruction in supporting student data privacy efforts across the state. We are proud to see such impactful progress and commitment to protecting student information,” said Keith Krueger, CEO, CoSN.

“After facing the challenges of a ransomware attack, followed by the onset of COVID-19 and school closures, we realized just how crucial it was to protect our network, data, staff and students online. In the years leading up to these events, we conducted multiple network assessments and took immediate action on critical issues,” said Melanie Honeycutt, CIO, Burke County Public Schools. “Pursuing the CoSN Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal became our personal mission. It’s more than just a certification — it’s a promise to our students, staff and community that we are committed to safeguarding their personal information. The TLE Seal, recognized as a mark of excellence in data privacy and security, aligns perfectly with our core values of trust, transparency and accountability.”

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.

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 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 Burke County Public Schools
Burke County Public Schools in western North Carolina serves about 12,000 students across 27 schools. With 1,500 staff, the district’s “All-in Promise” focuses on building strong relationships and ensuring every student’s success. The commitment includes providing exemplary learning opportunities, supporting well-being, and fostering community connections. The district believes in the potential of every student and is dedicated to equipping them with the tools needed for a bright future, guided by three goals: Academic Opportunities for All, Supporting All-around Well-being, and Connecting Schools to the Community. www.burke.k12.nc.us/

MEDIA CONTACTS:
For CoSN: Makenzie Carlin, mcarlin@fratelli.com

For Burke County Public Schools: Cheryl Shuffler, cwshuffler@burke.k12.nc.us