National Distinction Awarded for Implementing Rigorous Privacy Policies and Practices to Help Protect Student Data
Washington, D.C. (November 6, 2025) — CoSN today awarded the Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal to Northern Buckeye Education Council (NBEC), an Ohio-based education service agency (ESA). The CoSN TLE Seal is a national distinction awarded to school districts and other education agencies implementing rigorous privacy policies and practices to help protect student information. The first ESA to earn this distinction, NBEC supports 40 public education entities and provides services to 33 public schools and 15 non-public schools across Ohio.
The CoSN TLE Seal Program requires that education agencies uphold high standards for protecting student data privacy across five key practice areas: Leadership, Business, Data Security, Professional Development and the Classroom. All TLE Seal applicants receive feedback and guidance to help them improve their student data privacy programs. To date, TLE Seal recipients nationwide have improved privacy protections for over 1.4 million students.
“CoSN is proud to recognize the Northern Buckeye Education Council as the first education service agency to earn the CoSN TLE Seal,” said Keith Krueger, CEO, CoSN. “By providing services that impact more than 90,000 students across Ohio, NBEC is setting a powerful example of how education organizations can lead the way in protecting student data privacy.”
“Earning the CoSN TLE Seal validates our commitment to protecting student data privacy across every district and entity we serve. As an education service provider, this distinction demonstrates that we’ve implemented comprehensive, measurable safeguards to help our member schools foster trust and transparency with their communities. This national recognition affirms that protecting student information is central to our mission of delivering superior collaborative services to educational institutions throughout Ohio,” said Brad Rellinger, Chief Technology Officer, Northern Buckeye Education Council.
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 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 Northern Buckeye Education Council
The Northern Buckeye Education Council operates as a not-for-profit Council of Governments. NBEC is committed to facilitating cost-effective access to various cooperative administrative services for educational and governmental entities across Ohio. NBEC offers ITC services through its subsidiary, the Northwest Ohio Computer Association (NWOCA) and Northern Ohio Virtual Academy (NOVA) which is an online public school in Ohio. We also provide technology as a utility and professional learning services to districts and public entities across the state. https://www.nwoca.org/
