RELEASE COURTESY OF CoSN
Washington, D.C. (March 3, 2025) — CoSN today awarded Jonathan Alder Local Schools in Plain City, OH, the Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Mini Seal in the Professional Development practice. The CoSN TLE Seal is a national distinction awarded to school districts implementing rigorous privacy policies and practices to help protect student information. Jonathan Alder Local Schools is the fourth Ohio school district to earn a TLE Seal and the second TLE Mini Seal recipient in the state. To date, TLE Seal recipients have improved privacy protections for over 1.2 million students.
The CoSN TLE Seal Program mandates that school systems uphold high standards for protecting student data privacy across five key practice areas: Leadership, Business, Data Security, Professional Development and Classroom. The TLE Mini Seal Program enables school districts nationwide to build toward earning the full TLE Seal by addressing privacy requirements in one or more practice areas at a time. All TLE Seal and Mini Seal applicants receive feedback and guidance to help them improve their student data privacy programs.
“CoSN is dedicated to offering the support necessary to help districts navigate the complexities of safeguarding student data privacy. We’re excited to see the commitment from Jonathan Alder Local Schools to improve student data privacy,” said Keith Krueger, CEO, CoSN.
“Jonathan Alder Local Schools are honored to receive the Professional Development Trusted Learning Environment Mini Seal. It takes a team to offer this level of professional development policies and practices regarding student data privacy and security. We are committed to continuing this work,” said Nicole L. Schrock, Director of Instructional Technology, Jonathan Alder Local School District.
The CoSN TLE Seal is the only privacy framework designed specifically for school systems. Earning the TLE Seal requires that school systems have taken measurable steps to implement, maintain and improve organization-wide student data privacy practices. All TLE Seal recipients are required to demonstrate that improvement through a reapplication process every two years.
To learn more about the TLE Seal Program, visit www.cosn.org/trusted.
About CoSN
CoSN, the world-class professional association for K-12 EdTech leaders, stands at the forefront of education innovation. We are driven by a mission to equip current and aspiring K-12 education technology leaders, their teams, and school districts with the community, knowledge, and professional development they need to cultivate engaging learning environments. Our vision is rooted in a future where every learner reaches their unique potential, guided by our community. CoSN represents over 13 million students and continues to grow as a powerful and influential voice in K-12 education. www.cosn.org
About the CoSN Trusted Learning Environment Seal Program
The CoSN Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal Program is the nation’s only data privacy framework for school systems, focused on building a culture of trust and transparency. The TLE Seal 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. 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 also commit to continuous examination and demonstrable future advancement of their privacy practices. www.cosn.org/trusted