ACPE 2025 - Include IT

Ransomware attacks are on the rise, targeting schools and education systems with increasing frequency. Learn how to proactively defend against these threats using automated backup, detection, and recovery solutions. This session will cover key strategies to detect ransomware, secure your SaaS applications like Google Workspace and Classroom, and recover from attacks with minimal disruption.

Schools and districts have a myriad of tasks and choices to enable artificial intelligence capabilities to support learning, teaching, and operations. This session will examine the sequencing of steps that K-12 institutions can take to balance availability, capability, and cost to initiate AI implementation with a commitment to long-term sustainability. Issues impacting adoption rates by community members, deployment of edge- and cloud-based capabilities, and security and privacy will be addressed.  The session will conclude with a review of the current state of AI in K-12, a projection of AI capability and adoption in the near term, and a discussion of the cultural and operational changes which may occur.

"Walking through automating account creation, edits, suspensions, group memberships, and what other systems can be integrated using APIs.

What systems have you created?
What would you like to create?
What concerns do you have?
What are some obstacles you face?
What systems would you like integrated, or have you integrated?
What are other automations you have created or dreamt of?"

What does a high-functioning, inclusive classroom look like in your district? What specific student needs are being addressed by instructional technology, assistive technology, classroom presentation systems, and other hardware or software in the learning environment? What makes for a strong relationship between district leaders, technology coordinator, and classroom teachers in your district? Where are we headed as we start to envision technology in the classrooms of the next decade? Come to this think tank with these questions in mind, be ready to share some of your own questions, and let's all leave with ideas, actions, and inspiration that keeps inclusivity as a pillar of our work to support student learning.

Have so much to give but not sure whom to share it with? Looking for someone who can support your career for a while as you grow into it? Come to this session to discover practical methods to become a mentor or a mentee and how to get the most out of that relationship, and how to find someone to support you or for you to support.

If you have time prior to May 1, can you please interact with this Google form to let me know questions and topics you'd like addressed during this session? https://forms.gle/yrKR54bVJwefNBm19 - thank you!

Join Julia Fallon (SETDA) as she moderates an engaging discussion with Bre Urness-Straight, Carla Wade, and Rachel Wente-Chaney on advancing educational technology leadership. Together, they’ll examine how leaders across national, state, and county levels are addressing digital inclusion, embracing emerging technologies, and crafting impactful K–12 education policies. Drawing from SETDA’s 2024 State EdTech Trends report and the Universal Connectivity Imperative, the panelists will offer practical strategies for advocacy, policymaking, and district-level implementation. Walk away with fresh insights and actionable solutions to drive transformative change in your educational community.

"This session is tailored for Instructional Technology staff focused on empowering teachers to implement Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles through technology.

Participants will discover a variety of instructional tools and resources that enhance differentiation and engagement, alongside the role of AI in personalizing learning experiences. Through collaborative discussions and real-world examples, Instructional Technology staff will learn how to inspire teachers to create inclusive classrooms that meet diverse learning needs.

Leave with actionable strategies and a toolkit to facilitate meaningful UDL implementation, transforming teaching practices and improving student outcomes. Join us to equip educators for a more inclusive future!"