The Lightspeed Blog

Learn about upcoming events, K-12 edtech insights, back-to-school tips, student mental health resources, software implementation and utilization, and more, from the experts at Lightspeed on the Lightspeed Systems® blog.

Oklahoma SB 1734 Is Now Law: What Every District Needs to Do Before 2027–28

SB 1734 isn't a controversial or partisan measure. It reflects a broad consensus among Oklahoma lawmakers that AI in classrooms needs clear boundaries, family transparency, and human accountability.

UK Government to Enforce Phone Bans in Schools: Safety Measure or Overreach?

For district leaders, the challenge isn't just how to vet apps — it's how to maintain a practical, documented system that supports student data privacy, instructional goals, and public accountability, without adding unmanageable work to already stretched teams.

App Approval for K-12: How to Track Compliance

For district leaders, the challenge isn't just how to vet apps — it's how to maintain a practical, documented system that supports student data privacy, instructional goals, and public accountability, without adding unmanageable work to already stretched teams.

Celebrating the First-Ever Innovation Impact Award Winners at DAC

The Innovation Impact Awards were designed to recognize education leaders who are leveraging Lightspeed solutions strategically, using data, visibility, and control to drive outcomes that matter. Winners were selected by our leadership team based on demonstrated innovation, measurable results, and a clear commitment to responsible, student-centered technology use.

Ohio HB 96: What K–12 Districts Need to Know About Cybersecurity, AI Policy, and School Safety Funding

Ohio House Bill 96, signed into law on June 30, 2025, establishes the state’s FY 2026–2027 operating budget. While primarily a budget bill, HB 96 includes new statutory requirements that directly impact public K–12 school districts.

Indiana SB 159: What K–12 Districts Need to Know About Parent-Controlled Filtering and Tech Policy Updates 

Senate Bill 159 isn’t just a filtering update. Two compliance deadlines are now on the horizon, and districts need the right policies and tools in place to meet them. Lightspeed’s platform directly aligns to SB 159’s two core mandates and provides additional value for schools trying to balance safety, connectivity, and digital wellness.

Turning App Data into Answers That Drive Action

In our latest Lightspeed Insight webinar, education leaders Carrie Squyres (Northside ISD, San Antonio) and Luke Mund (Denver Public Schools) shared how visibility across their digital ecosystems helps them make smarter, data-driven decisions...

Understanding The Uvalde Strong Act: Strengthening Texas School Safety

The Uvalde Strong Act, more officially known as House Bill 33 (HB 33) from the 89th Texas Legislature, is a vital law aimed at strengthening emergency response protocols for active shooter incidents and other crises in K-12 schools.

The Real Cost of Inaction: Why Proactive Tools Save Lives and Resources in K–12 Schools

School safety is evolving—and for good reason. The rise in mental health concerns, online threats, and acts of school violence has forced districts to rethink their approach. Today, being proactive isn’t optional. It’s essential. While most schools have safety plans in place, the biggest risks often emerge when early warning signs are missed or unreported.

Georgia HB 268: Understanding Georgia’s New School Safety Mandates Webinar Recap

This week, we hosted an incredibly insightful webinar on Georgia HB 268, the new school safety legislation that’s set to transform how schools across the state approach campus security. Here’s the full recap of the key topics discussed, the Q&A session, and some important takeaways.

Colorado HB21-1110 Accessibility Compliance: What You Need to Know Before July 1, 2025

Beginning July 1, 2025, HB21-1110 requires that all public-facing digital content and software used by state and local government entities — including K–12 districts — meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standards.

Complying with Georgia’s School Safety Act: A Guide for K–12 Leaders

In April 2025, Governor Brian Kemp signed Georgia House Bill 268—the School Safety Act—into law, setting a new statewide standard for school safety and crisis response. Taking effect on July 1, 2026, the legislation mandates that public schools...

What Alabama Schools Need to Know About HB 166 (FOCUS Act) and How to Stay Compliant Without Sacrificing Digital Learning

On May 14, 2025, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed House Bill 166—the FOCUS Act—into law, introducing sweeping new guidelines that restrict student access to cell phones and wireless devices during instructional hours.

What NY Schools Need to Know About Google Restrictions and How to Stay Compliant Without Losing Momentum

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.

What does Oklahoma HB 2371 represent for student safety?

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.

Stay Ahead of New DASA Compliance Requirements 

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.

5 Must-Have Reports for School Board Decision-Making

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.

5 Essential Reports for K-12 IT Admins

K-12 technology administrators are the unsung heroes of today’s 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.

How 7 Critical K-12 IT Challenges Sparked Lightspeed Signal’s Creation

K12 IT leaders have a tall order: keep devices secure and compliant, manage assets effectively, troubleshoot connectivity issues, and respond to outages before chaos erupts—all with limited time and resources. Rather than guess what districts need, we asked them directly.

How to Simplify App Approvals & Public List Management

With thousands of educational apps available and in use in your district, visibility of which are in use and managing which are approved for classroom use is a critical responsibility – and…

How a Free App Audit Can Help Schools Manage Privacy, Security, and Compliance

With hundreds of apps in use across a district, IT teams need a way to ensure these tools are safe, compliant, and aligned with educational goals. A free App Audit can help by providing a clear picture of app usage, identifying compliance risks, and supporting better decision-making for IT leaders.

Texas SB 1893 Updates: Navigating Compliance as the Banned Apps List Grows 

TikTok may be back – but not on Texas school devices. With SB 1893 compliance remaining a priority, Texas districts must ensure that prohibited applications, including TikTok, stay off school networks. As the list of banned apps continues to grow, ongoing monitoring is essential to maintain compliance and prevent security risks.

Education Regulations and Compliance Trends for K-12 Schools

2024 saw a surge in state regulations impacting K-12 education, particularly around student data privacy, parental rights, accessibility, and the rise of AI in schools.

SB 1893 Compliance with Lightspeed Systems: A Guide for Texas IT Admins

Texas Senate Bill 1893 has placed schools at the forefront of a movement toward heightened digital security.

UK Department for Education Updates Filtering and Monitoring Standards

As schools and colleges increasingly rely on digital resources, keeping students safe online has never been more crucial.

Lessons in EdTech Decision-Making and Data Privacy with Northside ISD

Northside Independent School District (NISD) in San Antonio, Texas, one of the largest districts in the state, has developed a robust strategy for app review and approval to maximize the…

Tik Tok … The Countdown to Texas SB 1893 Compliance is On!

What: Senate Bill 1893, Chapter 620

Lightspeed’s Compliance Plan for Ohio SB 29: Your Questions Answered

With the new Ohio Senate Bill 29 (SB 29) compliance requirements going into effect soon, many of our customers have questions about how Lightspeed Systems products like Lightspeed Classroom Man...

Navigating Ohio SB 29 with Lightspeed Systems: Ensuring Compliance and Protecting Student Privacy

Ohio Senate Bill 29 introduces new rules that reshape how school districts and their technology providers handle student data.

Empowering Parents in K-12 EdTech: Why Collaboration is Key

As technology continues to weave its way into our classrooms, parents are understandably worried about how much time their kids are spending on screens, the kind of content they’re accessing,…
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