Just before winter break, San Diego USD officials informed students, employees and anyone else affiliated with the school that technicians and police discovered a gaping security breach that could have exposed the Social Security numbers, birthdates, and possibly payroll and benefits of as many as 500,000 people.

The Hawaii Department of Education is rolling out an online database to track the estimated $868 million backlog of repair and maintenance projects in the public school system. The database will show when money is appropriated and allocated for projects, when contracts are awarded, and how much of each contract has been paid.

New tools use artificial intelligence to search for potential threats on students' social media profiles and to scan school-issued laptops in search of keywords that could spell trouble. While the tools promise to protect kids, they also pose questions about how far schools can encroach on students' privacy in the name of keeping them safe.

Learner-Centered Innovation: Spark Curiosity, Ignite Passion and Unleash Genius covers how schools can abandon traditional models and focus instead on the diverse talents of learners by allowing students to pursue their passions.