GCPS Honored for Securing Student Data

       Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) is proud to announce that it has been awarded the Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal by the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN). This national distinction is awarded to school districts with rigorous privacy policies and practices designed to protect student information. GCPS joins a select group of districts in setting the standard for the TLE program in Georgia.

     Dr. Nikki Mouton, GCPS Deputy Superintendent of Academic Services, says data security is a top priority. “It is imperative to emphasize the critical importance of maintaining robust student data privacy practices within our educational institutions,” Dr. Mouton shares. “In today’s digital age, protecting student information is not only a legal obligation but also a fundamental aspect of fostering a safe and trustworthy learning environment.”

     The TLE Seal is the only privacy framework specifically designed for school systems. TLE Seal recipients have improved privacy protections for more than 1.2 million students nationwide. Earning this seal demonstrates GCPS’ commitment to safeguarding student data and reflects the district’s dedication to creating a safe and trustworthy learning environment for all students.

     “Strong student data privacy practices are essential for legal compliance, building trust, fulfilling our ethical responsibilities, and enhancing educational outcomes,” Dr. Mouton shares. “Attainment of this seal from CoSN is evidence of the strong work happening in Gwinnett County Public Schools to safeguard our data.”

     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. In addition to the full TLE Seal, CoSN recently introduced the TLE Mini Seal Program, which allows school districts to gain recognition for one or more of these practice areas. GCPS is the first district to utilize this flexible pathway, earning the full TLE Seal as a testament to its comprehensive approach to student data privacy. To learn more about the TLE Seal Program, visit www.cosn.org/trusted.