K12 Tech Talk

Episode 249 of K12 Tech Talk podcast has Josh, Chris, and Mark discussing their Olympic favorites, the latest news in K12, and the Snow Day Message winner: Option 3: Code Red - Montgomery County Public Schools (MD) The episode features an interview with Tyler Kingkade, national reporter at NBC News, about his recent reporting on internal Google documents revealed in litigation. Tyler explains how those slide decks describe K12 as a potential “pipeline” of future users and explores tensions around YouTube’s place in classrooms - useful educational content versus algorithmic rabbit holes. The conversation covers school responses like disabling YouTube for minors, embedding workarounds, and the practical tradeoffs districts face when choosing devices and platforms. Beyond Google and YouTube, the guys discuss major sector developments: Congress’ decision to keep Department of Education funding roughly level at about $79 billion; PowerSchool’s EdTech Pulse report highlighting teacher workload, recruitment and retention challenges, student absenteeism, and the growing role of data and AI in district priorities; and a ransomware case out of Belgium in which attackers targeted parents directly to extract payments tied to stolen student data. Articles Discussed: Google's work in schools aims to create a 'pipeline of future users,' internal documents say (NBC News) Congress Has Passed an Education Budget. See How Key Programs Are Affected (EdWeek) 2026 K-12 EdTech Pulse (PowerSchool & Project Tomorrow) Hackers attempt to extort parents after school refuses to pay ransom fee Connect with Tyler Kingkade: https://www.nbcnews.com/author/tyler-kingkade-ncpn1116631 Tyler.Kingkade@nbcuni.com ———— Sponsored by: Rise Vision Interactive Digital Signage Templates + Touchscreen Displays Screen Sharing Emergency Alerts  VIZOR   Meter - meter.com/k12techtalk Visit meter.com/k12techtalk to book a demo!   Lightspeed Systems NTP Fortinet ———— CALET - Mark will be there! February 18th-20th K12TechPro NEXT in Cape Girardeau, MO February 20th K12SIX Conference in Albuquerque, NM – K12 Tech Talk Podcast - February 24th-26th MidwestTechTalk Security Symposium/K12TechPro Meetup (Midwest) March 12th-13th, 2026 ———— Join the K12TechPro Community (exclusively for K12 Tech professionals) Buy some swag (tech dept gift boxes, shirts, hoodies...)!!! Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com OR our "professional" email addy is info@k12techtalkpodcast.com X @k12techtalkpod Facebook Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.