Lightspeed Systems

APRIL 21, 2025

Last week, we experienced another heartbreaking incident of a school shooting, resulting in two students being injured and leaving a community forever changed. Dallas ISD had implemented various security measures, including metal detectors and controlled entries, all designed with the intention of keeping students safe. And yet, the shooter was able to gain access through a door inadvertently opened by another student.

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Lightspeed Systems

APRIL 21, 2025

As the school year winds down, its a great time to prepare for the next one not just by collecting devices or planning summer PD, but by taking a hard look at something that quietly drains budgets and creates risk: your edtech stack. After years of rapid adoption and emergency funding, many districts are realizing they have too many tools and not enough clarity on whats actually being used.

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Lightspeed Systems

APRIL 21, 2025

What You’ll Learn: How schools can meet FERPA and PPRA requirementsand parent expectationswith help from Lightspeed Systems Theres a new reminder from the top: U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon recently sent a Dear Colleague letter to K12 schools across the country. The message? Schools must take parent transparency seriouslyespecially when it comes to student digital activity and the digital tools kids are using every day.

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EdTech Student Data Privacy Instructional Materials Social Media 52

Lightspeed Systems

APRIL 18, 2025

The winners of the FCCs $200 million K12 Cybersecurity Pilot Program have been announced now its time to put that funding to work. Lightspeed Systems offers education-focused cybersecurity solutions that directly align with the FCCs eligible services categories. As a proud supporter of educational institutions, Lightspeed Systems is here to assist awardees in effectively utilizing these funds to bolster their cybersecurity infrastructure.

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System E-rate Guidelines Training 52

Lightspeed Systems

APRIL 16, 2025

In early 2025, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) restricted student access to several Google services, including YouTube, Google Translate, Google Earth, and Google Photos. The decision came as part of a broader effort to comply with Education Law 2-D, which sets strict requirements around how student data is collected, used, and protected.

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Google How To Policies Data 40

Lightspeed Systems

APRIL 10, 2025

Digital learning has opened incredible doors in education access to resources, personalized learning, and new ways to connect. But lets be honest: its also opened a giant window for distraction. And for many schools, that window has been left wide open. Youve probably seen it yourself. A student quietly giggling behind a screen. A classroom that looks focused but is full of tabs you dont want to see.

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Lightspeed Systems

APRIL 8, 2025

In March 2023, the tragic shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville shocked the nation. Now, a newly released report from the Nashville Police Department provides a sobering look at the events leading up to the tragedyincluding the shooters detailed online planning, motive, and timeline. GET THE FULL REPORT FROM THE MNPD The findings underscore a critical truth: many school threats leave a digital activity trail before becoming real-world violence.

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Lightspeed Systems

APRIL 3, 2025

Artificial intelligence isnt a next big thing its a now thing. Students across the country are using tools like Google Gemini to learn faster, explore deeper, and ask bigger questions. And that includes questions about mental health, self-harm, and violence. Gemini does a thoughtful job redirecting or supporting students through sensitive prompts. Its built-in safeguards are strong, especially when it comes to blocking age-inappropriate or illegal content.

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Google Assessment Student Engagement Report 52

Lightspeed Systems

APRIL 3, 2025

A Southeast school district is crediting Lightspeed with helping to prevent multiple student imminent self-harm and violence threatsintervening in moments when students were in crisis and actively searching for ways to harm themselves or others. Staff estimate the district has been able to save at least ten students who were in the act of planning to self-harm.

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Lightspeed Systems

APRIL 2, 2025

Today, Lightspeed Systems had the privilege of hosting a webinar with Rosedale Union School District, where we explored proactive strategies to enhance student safety. The session, titled From Awareness to Action , provided an in-depth discussion on actionable steps schools can take to address safety challenges. We learned about the innovative tools Rosedale has implemented to foster a secure and supportive learning environment for its students.

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Lightspeed Systems

APRIL 1, 2025

Lets get this out of the way: school safety monitoring is a sensitive topic. And if you’re a parent reading headlines about AI scanning your child’s screen, you’re probably feeling a mix of concern, confusion, and maybe even frustration. Thats totally fair. But here’s the truth: todays students are growing up in a world where their biggest struggles dont always show up in person they show up online.

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Student Data Privacy Training Social Media Microsoft 52

Lightspeed Systems

MARCH 26, 2025

Lightspeed Systems Re-Accredited with the 2025 UK Safer Internet Centre Filtering Accreditation At Lightspeed Systems, safeguarding students and ensuring a secure online environment for schools is at the heart of what we do. We are proud to announce that we have been re-accredited with the 2025 UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC) Filtering Accreditation , reaffirming our commitment to providing schools with trusted, effective, and compliant filtering solutions.

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Lightspeed Systems

MARCH 20, 2025

New York schools must prepare for the latest compliance updates under the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA). Senate Bill S5025, currently under legislative review, introduces new provisions focused on student safety and digital threat management, reinforcing schools responsibilities in protecting students from cyber threats and online harassment. Key Updates in Senate Bill S5025: Enhanced Cyber Safety Measures : Schools must implement stronger monitoring and reporting systems for digital threa

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Policies Social Media Training Report 52

Lightspeed Systems

MARCH 20, 2025

Oklahoma schools must prepare for new compliance measures under House Bill 2371, which introduces provisions focused on student safety and digital threat management. This legislation enhances schools responsibilities in monitoring online activity, addressing cyber threats, and protecting students from digital harassment. Key Updates in House Bill 2371: Strengthened Cyber Safety Protocols: Schools must adopt more advanced monitoring and reporting systems to detect and respond to digital threats i

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Lightspeed Systems

MARCH 13, 2025

Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) leaders aim to ensure that instructional strategies and materialsboth digital and traditionalare effective and aligned with district instructional and compliance standards. Below are five essential reports that an advanced K12 platform can provide. These insights draw from powerful analytics and student insights to give C&I specialists the data they need for smarter, more impactful decision-making. 1.

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Report Training Data Outcomes 40

Lightspeed Systems

MARCH 13, 2025

School board members face a monumental task: steering the district toward academic excellence while ensuring fiscal responsibility, compliance, and overall student well-being. In a landscape where technology permeates every classroom, data and reporting have become essential tools for making informed decisions. Below is an overview of how a robust K12 analytics and filtering solutions can deliver a single, comprehensive report that addresses the key areas school boards care about most: screen ti

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Report Data Internet Safety Policies 59

Lightspeed Systems

MARCH 13, 2025

Today, K-12 finance leaders are tasked with balancing tight budgets, maximizing returns on technology investments, and ensuring transparency for stakeholders. Having the right data at the right time is crucial. Below are five essential reports that can give finance teams the clarity and confidence they need to make informed financial decisions. 1. EdTech Cost vs.

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Report Analysis EdTech Outcomes 45

Lightspeed Systems

MARCH 13, 2025

Schools are increasingly turning to student safety monitoring tools to help protect students from online threats, self-harm, cyberbullying, and other digital dangers. While these tools play a crucial role in creating a safer learning environment, there are still plenty of misconceptions about what they actually doand what they dont do. To set the record straight, here are a few things student safety monitoring tools do not do: 1.

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Tools Digital Citizenship Policies System 52

Lightspeed Systems

MARCH 13, 2025

K-12 technology administrators are the unsung heroes of todays digital classrooms, juggling everything from device rollouts and network security to software updates and user support. A key part of this role is having clear, actionable data that informs everything from budgeting to bandwidth allocation. Below are five reports every K-12 IT admin should have on hand to keep school technology running smoothly, safely, and cost-effectively. 1.

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Report Software Data Analysis 52

Lightspeed Systems

MARCH 12, 2025

Student safety is a top priority for K-12 schools, and data plays a crucial role in identifying risks, ensuring compliance, and supporting well-being. With the right reports, safety and student services teams can proactively address concerns and create a secure learning environment. Below are five must-have reports that help schools stay ahead of issues, protect students, and foster a culture of well-being. 1.

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Report Trends Policies Data 59

Lightspeed Systems

MARCH 12, 2025

With school safety incidents and mental health crises on the rise, monitoring student online activity is becoming a critical issue. But theres tension between the need for proactive protection and concerns about student privacy. Is digital monitoring essential to keep students safeor a step too far? Lets break down the debate. Pros of Monitoring Student Online Activity Early Warning Signs: Many students leave digital clues of distress, suicidal ideation, or violent intentions before incidents oc

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Lightspeed Systems

MARCH 12, 2025

What you’ll learn: Key K-12 IT Challenges: Understand the seven critical challenges Lightspeed Signal (Signal) addresses. Maximizing ROI: Discover how Signal enhances return on investment for educational institutions. Real-Time Oversight: Learn about Signal’s capabilities for immediate monitoring and management of digital learning environments.

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Data Broadband Report Digital Learning 52

Lightspeed Systems

MARCH 10, 2025

The Department of Education (DOE)plays a critical role in ensuring that schools and students across the United States have the resources they need to succeed. However, balancing budgets while maintaining access to essential tools can be a daunting taskespecially in the digital age, where apps and online programs dominate the learning landscape. Recently, an audit conducted by the Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) unearthed a major inefficiency:millions of dollars were spent on unused

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EdTech Report Software Data 52

Lightspeed Systems

MARCH 11, 2025

Screen time. Just two words, and yet they spark debates in school board meetings, parent forums, and education conferences across the country. The concern is understandableparents, educators, and policymakers all want what’s best for students. But like most hot-button topics, the conversation around screen time in schools often lacks nuance. A recent Wall Street Journal article (that we provided screen time data for) reports that students in grades one through twelve now spend an average o

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Lightspeed Systems

MARCH 7, 2025

Yesterday, the product team hosted an engaging webinar to share the latest updates, upcoming features, and future plans forLightspeed Classroom. The session, led byCharlotte Lescroart, Strategic Account Manager, andMike Ruby, Director of Product Management for Classroom, provided valuable insights into how Lightspeed is addressing challenges in digital learning and empowering educators with innovative tools.

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Classroom Training Report Student Engagement 52

Lightspeed Systems

MARCH 6, 2025

As schools aim to close the digital divide, many districts are grappling with a tough question: Should students take school-provided devices home, or is it safer and more cost-effective to keep them at school? Heres why this decision mattersand what schools need to weigh before deciding. Pros of Sending Devices Home Bridging the Homework Gap: Students without reliable access to devices at home risk falling behind academically, especially in low-income areas. 21st-Century Skills: Home access help

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Lightspeed Systems

MARCH 5, 2025

Superintendents carry the vital responsibility of setting the vision and strategic direction for their entire school district. From overseeing academic performance to ensuring financial accountability and efficiency, data is central to making informed decisions that positively impact students and staff. For many of these data insights, superintendents rely on IT leaders and administratorsprofessionals who can transform raw information into clear, actionable reporting.

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Report EdTech Data Guidelines 52

Lightspeed Systems

MARCH 4, 2025

The safety and well-being of students have become pressing concerns, with alarming increases in school shootings, violence, and mental health challenges. Traditional security measuressuch as metal detectors, surveillance cameras, fences, and door locksserve as essential components of school safety protocols. However, these measures often act as reactive solutions, addressing threats only after they have materialized.

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Report Social Media Policies System 52

Lightspeed Systems

MARCH 4, 2025

School safety demands more than just emergency drills and secure entries. From preventing potential threats to nurturing mental well-being, School Resource Officers (SROs) and other K-12 safety professionalsincluding principals, counselors, and behavior intervention specialistsplay a critical role in creating a holistic environment where students can thrive.

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Guidelines Assessment Training Policies 52

Lightspeed Systems

FEBRUARY 27, 2025

At Lightspeed Systems, our mission has always been clear: keep students safe. For twenty-five years weve delivered upon that mission by giving schools solutions and services to keep students protected from harm (online and offline) and engaged in learning. Today, Im excited to share the next step in that mission: Lightspeed Systems is acquiring STOPit Solutions , a leader in anonymous reporting systems for schools.

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Lightspeed Systems

FEBRUARY 25, 2025

YouTube: a students paradise of tutorials, how-tos, and music videosor a constant distraction that derails classroom focus. For school leaders, the debate around whether to block or allow YouTube is heated. Should districts block the platform entirely or embrace its educational potential while setting limits? Heres what schools need to consider before making this critical decision.

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Video System Accessibility Student Engagement 59

Lightspeed Systems

FEBRUARY 26, 2025

As digital learning continues to evolve, districts face growing challenges in managing their technology ecosystems efficiently. The key to success isnt just adopting new tools its ensuring those tools work together seamlessly to enhance visibility and control of your online ecosystem. Lightspeed Systems is designed to meet these needs, offering a unified platform that brings together filtering, classroom management, analytics, device monitoring, and student safety solutions.

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Lightspeed Systems

FEBRUARY 24, 2025

K-12 IT teams juggle an overwhelming array of responsibilitieskeeping devices running, ensuring secure access, maintaining network reliability, and responding to app outages. Yet, they often lack the real-time insights needed to manage these tasks effectively. Without centralized visibility, IT teams rely on user reports to uncover problems, leading to delayed responses and inefficiencies.

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Lightspeed Systems

FEBRUARY 21, 2025

Missed our inaugural Product Roadmap webinar? No worries! You can watch the webinar on-demand OR keep reading for a recap of what you missed: In this engaging session, Rob Chambers (VP of Product), Kate McDermott (Director of Product Management), and Matt Berg (Principal Product Manager) provided an exciting overview of our 2025 product roadmap. From innovative new features to upcoming product enhancements, we covered everything you need to know.

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Lightspeed Systems

FEBRUARY 18, 2025

As school leaders and parents raise concerns about the impact of excessive screen time on the mental health and focus of their students, its crucial to understand these trends, and more importantly, how to manage them. When it comes to screen time in K-12 education, the data we’ve uncovered tells an interesting story: out of elementary, middle, and high schools, its middle schoolers that spend the most time on district-provided devices.

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Lightspeed Systems

FEBRUARY 14, 2025

Schools and districts rely heavily on technology to deliver engaging, effective, and safe learning experiences. With this reliance comes a need for powerful tools to manage, monitor, and optimize technology usagethis is where Lightspeed Systems shines. Known for its innovative solutions tailored for K-12 education, Lightspeed Systems empowers districts with actionable data that enhances learning, ensures safety, and optimizes resources.

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Lightspeed Systems

FEBRUARY 13, 2025

Parents and educators alike are worried about the amount of time students spend glued to screens; our latest data shows that the average K-12 student spends 98 minutes a day on school-issued devices in class and 117 minutes total when factoring in after-school use. These numbers, while troubling as they are, only tell part of the story. The more granular truth is that time spent on screens varies widely by grade level, and peaks in middle school.

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