Carteret County Public Schools Earns National Recognition for its Student Data Privacy Work
Washington, D.C. (March 13, 2024) – CoSN today awarded the first-ever Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Mini Seal for the Business Practice to Carteret County Public Schools in Beaufort, North Carolina. The CoSN TLE 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 the Classroom. The new TLE Mini Seal Program allows school districts across the country to earn recognition for one or more practice areas as they build towards their full TLE Seal.
“CoSN is committed to providing the guidance needed to make the work of protecting student data privacy easier for districts to manage. The new CoSN TLE Mini Seal Program provides districts with feedback and guidance on their privacy practices before tackling the full TLE privacy framework. This not only makes the work of building and improving a student data privacy program easier for districts to digest, but it also allows districts to build momentum for their privacy programs as they go,” said Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN.
Carteret County Public Schools is the first to be awarded the TLE Mini Seal and the first district in North Carolina to earn the TLE distinction. They are one of several districts that has been working in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Instruction and CoSN on student data privacy practices.
“It is an honor to receive the CoSN Trusted Learning Environment Mini Seal for the Business Practice. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to ensuring the privacy and security of our students’ data. We believe in fostering a trusted learning environment where students can thrive without compromising their privacy. This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our team and our unwavering focus on safeguarding the digital well-being of our students and staff,” said Mike McKay, Chief Technology Officer of Carteret County Public Schools.
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 Carteret County Public Schools
Carteret County Public Schools’ mission is to Engage, Educate, and Empower students from Cedar Island to Cedar Point. Through a commitment to excellence in teaching and learning, our district aims to prepare students for success in college, career, and life by providing a rigorous and inclusive educational experience. We foster a culture of collaboration, respect, and innovation, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Together with our community partners, we strive to create a dynamic learning environment that inspires lifelong learning and positive contributions to society.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
For CoSN: Makenzie Carlin, mcarlin@fratelli.com, 703-967-6954
For Carteret County Public Schools: Jennifer Perryman, jennifer.johnson@carteretk12.org, 252-728-4583, ext. 160137
