ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Springfield not alone, school district cyber attacks widespread

Jill Kaufman

Earlier this month an organized criminal group managed to hack into the school district computer system in Springfield, Massachusetts. The incident is still under investigation. But the school district is not alone in its vulnerability. Cyber attacks are an increasingly widespread problem for public schools.

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno speaking about a cyber attack on the district's computer systems, Monday September 14th. This was the first day schools reopened to students after being closed most of last week because of the incident. Tuesday, school officials learned for the first time there had been a data breach in the cyber attack, possibly of staff social security numbers.

Regional News

FBI to Springfield: school cyber attack included data breach, maybe Social Security numbers

Jill Kaufman

Tuesday night Springfield, Mass. school officials announced there had been a data breach in the cyber attack that happened around Labor Day, possibly of staff social security numbers.

Teachers at Kiley Prep middle school in Springfield, Massachusetts, welcome students back to the new school year.

Regional News

AI curriculum model to pilot in Springfield school, not without teacher pushback

Jill Kaufman

A pilot program of an AI teaching model will start being used at the end of September, in a single classroom at a public middle school in Springfield, Massachusetts. Some educators see it as an opportunity to address learning challenges and engage students, while others say the decision to use this AI program was made too quickly — and independently.