- State and federal funding for K-12 education is being cut due to the economic climate, forcing schools to do more with less money while requirements continue expanding. - Schools are increasingly using technology like laptops, e-readers, and educational software to help address budget issues, but this raises privacy concerns when schools actively monitor student online activities using webcams and other tracking methods. - Laws like COPPA and CIPA allow schools to filter and monitor students' internet use but do not require active tracking, and student privacy must be balanced with protecting school resources and monitoring online behavior.