A new report authored by Dr. Kecia Ray, a proven leader in K-12 transformation, details how school districts across the country are planning for, funding, and justifying their student safety initiatives. Along with measures to protect students in the physical environment, the report takes a closer look at what it takes to ensure student safety in the digital environment as well.
Technology in schools has come a long way. From radios in the 1920s to the collaborative virtual solutions we now see in classrooms, technology plays a huge role in the daily lives of today’s students. And with an estimated $13.2 billion spent on education technology each year, the inclusion of technology in schools shows no signs of slowing down.
With this technology comes the responsibility for school districts to take measures to protect their students in the virtual environment, much like they do for the physical environment. Because students access virtual classrooms every day to create and store documents and videos—some of which may host content that represents bullying, harassment, or self-harm—districts should consider some type of monitoring system for online environments. But how do educators measure the value of these student safety investments?
Along with keeping students safe and secure in the virtual environment and on district-issued devices, digital safety solutions can also help school leaders in the fight against bullying and cyberbullying. This behavior can negatively impact a school’s climate and culture, contributing to students feeling unsafe and missing school. In fact, an estimated 160,000 students miss school each day to avoid bullying. By tackling the issue head-on with a student safety solution and promoting good digital citizenship, school districts can help ensure students are able to learn and thrive in a safe environment while also reducing absenteeism.
Be sure to read the new report by Dr. Ray to learn more about the measures school districts across the country are taking to protect their students in both the physical and virtual environments. You’ll also discover how three Gaggle partners are taking a proactive approach to digital safety as well as how they measure the value of our student safety platform.
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