TLE Seal Program

The CoSN Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal program is the nation’s only privacy framework designed specifically for school systems. The TLE program helps K-12 schools and districts build strong, effective privacy programs, and a culture of trust and transparency. Earning the TLE Seal is a mark of distinction, signaling that the recipient has taken strong, measurable steps to help protect the privacy of student data.

The TLE Seal Program 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.

The TLE Seal Program requirements have been validated by more than 50 school systems.

CoSN TLE Project Director: Linnette Attai, lattai@cosn.org

CoSN staff contact: Daisy Kinard, dkinard@cosn.org

North Carolina School District Awarded First-Ever CoSN Trusted Learning Environment Mini Seal for Student Data Privacy Practices

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TLE Seal

The TLE Seal Program requires school systems to have implemented high standards for student data privacy protections around five core practice areas: Leadership, Business, Data Security, Professional Development, and Classroom.

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 commit to continuous examination and advancement of their privacy practices.

Preview the TLE Application

CoSN Trusted Learning Environment Seal for Districts

Renew Your CoSN TLE District Seal

CoSN Trusted Learning Environment Mini Seals:

CoSN Trusted Learning Environment Seal for SEAs/ESAs/COEs

TLE Self-Assessment

Webinar Recording: Leadership Strategies to Assure Student Data Privacy: The Trusted Learning Environment Seal 

CoSN Student Data Privacy Professional Development Opportunities:

Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Application Online Workshop
Laying the Foundation Student Data Privacy Facilitated Online Course
Protecting Privacy: Improving Your Practice Facilitated Online Course
Making the Case for Data Privacy Workshop
Why Data Privacy is more than IT? Creating a Culture of Student Data: Privacy Workshop
Deep Dive into Federal Data Privacy Laws Privacy Workshop

CoSN also offers affordable customized courses & in-house professional development programs for schools or districts.
We can provide nationally recognized subject matter expert instructors or fully developed courses for you to facilitate with in-house experts in our LMS.

Read More: Course Details, Syllabi & Self-Study Options
Register:  CoSN Calendar* or Courses/Workshop Catalog
*Subscribe to the CoSN Calendar at the bottom of the page.

CoSN TLE & Framework of Essential Skills Crosswalk

As the leader in providing critical guidance to meet the needs of K-12 education technology professionals, CoSN provides two core frameworks—one for individuals and one for education institutions—to demonstrate leadership and student data privacy skills, knowledge, and competencies.

Improving Your Data Privacy Program

Protecting student data privacy is a critical and complex responsibility for all education institutions and agencies. CoSN's TLE Seal Program is designed to ensure that school systems:

Measure and Improve your Organization

As an applicant, you’ll be required to provide evidence of how you meet each of the Program requirements. Whether you earn the TLE Seal on the first try or not, you’ll receive feedback explaining how you scored on each practice requirement and why. 

Strengthen Effectiveness

The act of working through the CoSN TLE Seal Program application becomes an exercise in cross-functional collaboration, strengthening ties, and emphasizing leadership commitment to the work throughout the organization.

Build Trust and Transparency

CoSN TLE Seal recipients can demonstrate to parents and other community stakeholders that they have taken strong, measurable, and tangible steps to protect student data privacy. Change the conversation in your community from fear and privacy concerns to one based on transparency and trust in your efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the TLE Seal Important?

Student data are key to personalizing learning and outcomes today. School systems, however, have an inherent responsibility to protect the privacy of student data.

What is the TLE Seal Framework?

The seal signifies that the school system has implemented strong, measurable and publicly available practices to help ensure the privacy of student data.

Who is Eligible for the TLE Seal?

The TLE Seal is open to K-12 school systems of all governance structures, including public school districts, private schools, parochial schools and charter schools.

"Round Rock ISD has made clear its dedication to implementing strong, tangible student data privacy protections across the district, and to continuously improving its student data privacy practices...Your efforts around the Trusted Learning Environment Seal program privacy framework serve as a great example for all districts in Texas."

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Representative
James Talarico (D-TX)

Lead Partners

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Supporting Partners

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