Northside Independent School District (ISD) in San Antonio, Texas, earned the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) Trusted Learning Environment Seal for its student data privacy practices. It’s the 12th school system in Texas to receive the national recognition.
CoSN, a professional association for K-12 education technology leaders, awarded the seal to Northside ISD on Sept. 16, according to a press release. The district is the fourth-largest in Texas, serving about 95,500 students across more than 130 schools.
The seal recognizes school systems that have implemented measurable, organization-wide practices to protect student information. CoSN said recipients have strengthened privacy protections for more than 1.4 million students nationwide.
“Applying for the TLE Seal was far more than a checklist exercise; it was a deep dive into our district’s communication strategy regarding data. The process challenged us to understand our systems, refine our data governance frameworks, and communicate our standards more transparently, ensuring Northside remains a trusted leader in protecting student and staff information,” said Leann Kidd, executive director of Northside ISD Technology Services.
To earn the full seal, school systems must demonstrate mature privacy practices across five areas: leadership, business, data security, professional development, and the classroom. CoSN also offers a TLE Mini Seal for districts that demonstrate progress toward the full designation.
“Northside Independent School District has demonstrated a strong commitment to protecting student information and building a culture of trust across its schools. Earning the CoSN Trusted Learning Environment Seal reflects the district’s dedication to implementing rigorous privacy practices and continuously strengthening how it safeguards student data,” said Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN.
The Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal program is the only U.S. privacy framework designed specifically for school systems, according to CoSN. CoSN developed the program with input from 28 school system leaders and support from education organizations including AASA, The School Superintendents Association; the Association of School Business Officials International; and ISTE+ASCD.
