Tracy Gorham

RAISE: Rural AI Schools for Excellence - A collaboration between Arizona Institute for Education and the Economy, aiEDU, Leading Educators, and Collegiate Edu-Nation to help rural districts align #AI integration with their instructional vision and policy, empowering educators to implement AI-enabled instruction that is coherent, goal-aligned, and supported by systems rather than isolated efforts. https://lnkd.in/gqtS2GdQ --- Dream team = Sandra Jin Lindsay Berger Rachael McClain

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At EDUCAUSE, we are committed to advancing secure, interoperable, and learner-centered credentials. That’s why we’re proud to be part of the LER Accelerator coalition, a partnership of 12 national higher education organizations working to shape the future of Learning and Employment Records (LERs). By aligning around nine guiding principles for LER adoption, this coalition is helping to: - Ensure student records are portable and verifiable - Enhance equity and accessibility in credentialing - Support institutions in connecting learning to career pathways This is a landmark moment for learner mobility, and we’re excited to be part of the solution. Read the full press release:

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If you spend enough time in K–12 education circles, you’ll hear two radically different views about the future of tech in schools. One camp believes we should be unleashing the full potential of AI to transform how students learn and how teachers teach. When these folks walk into tech-enabled classrooms, they’re eager to explore how the tools are accelerating learning, and where they’re falling short or can be improved. The other camp believes we need to dramatically reduce screen time and bring kids back to more human, tactile learning experiences. When they walk into tech-enabled classrooms, their reaction is often visceral and difficult to overcome. Both camps have a point. Ineffective tech use is brutal and leads to kids staring at screens, seemingly bored out of their minds. But effective tech use can create dynamic, efficient, and highly differentiated learning experiences that far surpass the status quo. This tension is creating real confusion for educators who are simply trying to do right by their students. That confusion often leads to paralysis, which isn't good for students.

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Aurora Public Schools: Transforming K-12 Education We're proud to be at the forefront of AI integration in education! Yesterday, at the Colorado State Board of Education meeting, we shared how we're seeing AI make a difference: -Personalized Learning: AI-powered tools provide instant feedback and tailor learning paths for each student. -Multilingual Family Engagement: AI translation breaks down communication barriers and fosters stronger family-school connections. -Empowered Teachers: AI automates tasks, allowing educators to focus on what matters most: connecting with students. -Future-Ready Skills: Our AI Studio empowers students to build real-world AI solutions, equipping them for the future workforce. We're committed to safe, responsible, and ethical AI implementation, and our AI Advisory Committee ensures student data privacy and a human-centered approach. I am proud to share this work with our fellow district leaders and The Colorado Education Initiative, Rebecca Holmes, Karen Quanbeck, Amber Elias, Joanna Bruno, Ph.D. David Jarboe, CETL, CCRE Mai Vu Patricia Quinones. Let's go! V

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🚀 The EDUCAUSE Horizon Report 2025 is here! I just finished reading the 2025 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report: Teaching and Learning Edition, and it's a compelling snapshot of where higher education is headed and where we need to go. 🔍 This year's report highlights six key technologies and practices that are poised to shape the future of teaching and learning: ✨ Artificial Intelligence Literacy ✨Digital Learning Environments ✨Instructional Design Optimization ✨Open Educational Resources (OER) and Practices ✨Simulation and Extended Reality (XR) ✨Universal Design for Learning (UDL) 🌐 Beyond the tech, the report identifies five driving social, economic, and political trends, from demographic shifts to the ethical application of AI in education. 💡 What I appreciate most is how the report underscores the human element, especially in balancing innovation with inclusive, ethical, and equitable teaching practices. As an educator and instructional designer, I’m inspired to reflect on how we can strategically implement these insights to future-proof our institutions and empower our learners. 📘 If you're in higher education, edtech, or policy—this report is a must-read. #HigherEd #InstructionalDesign #AIinEducation #EdTech #HorizonReport #TeachingAndLearning #UDL #OER #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfEducation

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 Introducing the AI Toolkit for School Districts In case you missed it, we recently released an AI toolkit for school district administrators. With the rapid advancement of AI, there are  both incredible opportunities and complex challenges for educators everywhere. Without a clear, structured plan, AI integration can become sloppy, inequitable, and unaligned with your district's priorities. That's why we've developed a comprehensive, action-oriented guide to help school districts implement AI safely, responsibly, and effectively. What makes this toolkit special? ✅ Ready-to-use templates and implementation guides ✅ Flexible pathways adaptable for varying district sizes, capacities, and priorities ✅ Community-driven approach emphasizing cross-functional collaboration ✅ Focus on equity and responsible AI use throughout every phase ✅ Real-world case studies from districts already getting AI right Planning for Sustainability Our toolkit covers everything from forming AI leadership teams and developing responsible use policies, pilot program design, stakeholder engagement, and long-term sustainability planning. Whether you're just beginning to explore AI or ready to implement it throughout your district, this toolkit provides the structure and support you need for thoughtful, strategic implementation that aligns with your unique mission, vision, and community values. And it's completely free! School districts deserve practical, evidence-based resources to navigate AI with intention, thought and care. This toolkit is just one step we are taking to ensure every student has access to the benefits of AI in education—safely and equitably. https://lnkd.in/dcUkwxqx #EdTech #AIinEducation #SchoolLeadership #EducationalEquity #ArtificialIntelligence #AI

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Today’s K-12 school systems rely on technology more than ever. From instructional apps to communications and data systems, digital tools shape how schools function and how students learn. As these tools have become more prevalent, the role of the chief technology officer (CTO) has evolved from IT support to strategic leadership. No longer just responsible for keeping networks running, today’s CTOs must balance security with innovation to keep schools safe and future-ready. A new report by Clever Inc. chronicles this evolution and the challenges tech leaders face in shifting from the “Department of No” to the “Department of Know.” This shift isn’t easy. School systems are now prime cyberattack targets, with some students spending over half their day using digital tools. But saying no too often can stifle innovation and lead to “shadow edtech,” where educators adopt unapproved tools—ironically increasing the cybersecurity risks tech leaders aim to reduce. Strategies for Transforming Digital Learning and Security Forward-thinking CTOs are meeting this moment by building frameworks that promote collaboration and prioritize safety. As more districts hire strategic CTOs—sometimes for the first time—peer insights from the report may help guide new tech leaders. Develop Transparent Technology Policies: Clear, well-communicated tech policies build trust between IT and educators. Offer secure alternatives rather than rejections and establish transparent adoption standards. Build Cross-Department Collaboration: Cybersecurity is a team sport affecting all school operations. Partner with instructional leaders, administrators, and facilities to create shared responsibility. Shift from Reactive to Proactive Leadership: Replace firefighting with strategic planning. Regular security audits, professional development, and industry partnerships keep districts ahead of threats while enabling innovation. Strengthen Digital Identity Protection: With valuable student digital identities at stake, robust IAM strategies are crucial. Modernize authentication, expand MFA, and tighten access controls to protect sensitive information. The AI revolution presents the next big test. While 70% of administrators see increased cybersecurity risks, just 9% have formal vetting processes. Visionary CTOs are closing this gap by establishing AI governance frameworks, sandbox environments for testing, staff training on responsible use, and strong data protection for student info. As pressure grows to embrace AI while safeguarding privacy, strategic technology leadership has never been more essential for education’s future. #edtech #K12cybersecurity https://lnkd.in/eFfYdtxe

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