COSN Archives

Edtech leaders see expanding roles as concerns over AI and cybersecurity increase

May 13, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

Key findings in a new report highlight expanding role of edtech leaders amid rising AI, cybersecurity, and connectivity challenges.

If the Supreme Court decides Universal Service/E-Rate is unconstitutional, losing E-rate funding would have a catastrophic impact on the vast majority of school districts, according to CoSN's 2025 State…

Newsline

CoSN State Chapters Grow With Additions of MACE and CoSNE

April 24, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

Washington, D.C.– CoSN today announced that the Mid-America Association for Computers in Education ( MACE) and the Nebraska Chapter of ... Read more

Innovation Insights

CoSN2025 Takeaways: Meet the Winners

April 10, 2025 by Kevin Hogan

Honors for edtech leaders across the country are always a highlight of one of edtech’s most influential events of the ... Read more

CoSN 2025 Takeaways, Part 3: Navigating AI Opportunities and Risks

April 9, 2025 by Kevin Hogan

Kevin Kiley, President of Airia, who was at the show introducing Brainfreeze, an AI Platform for Education, thinks we’re at ... Read more

Takeaways from CoSN2025: Human Leadership in a World of AI, Part 1

April 7, 2025April 7, 2025 by Kevin Hogan

The 2025 Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) Annual Conference went down last week in Seattle, bringing together district technology leaders, ... Read more

Student Data Security

Is your district safeguarding student data?

March 25, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

District edtech leaders offer an unprecedented look at gaps and opportunities in student data privacy across the nation.

Protecting student data is critical for school district IT leaders, but many cite leadership and training gaps, along with time and manpower, as obstacles in that pursuit, according…

CoSN Corner

CoSN 2025: Humans in an AI world

March 21, 2025 by Laura Ascione

IT leaders, superintendents, and district teams are gathering in Seattle to explore the latest in innovative edtech and IT at CoSN 2025.

Like it or not, AI is evolving, and it is cementing its place in education. And the CoSN 2025 Conference is preparing attendees to meet the AI challenge…

K-12 Cybersecurity

K-12 cyberattacks threaten data–and students

March 20, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Through proactive cybersecurity strategies and collaboration, K-12 schools can improve cyber defenses against evolving cyberattacks.

The long-term impacts of K-12 cyberattacks, including lost learning time and disruptions to school operations, are just as damaging as stolen data, according to a new report from…

Digital Innovation

CoSN outlines trends, challenges in K-12 innovation

February 26, 2025 by Laura Ascione

It's time for leaders to reflect, collaborate, and take steps in K-12 innovation to create learning environments where all students thrive.

A new annual report from CoSN outlines the challenges, mega-trends, and tools set to impact education innovation in 2025--and for the first time, the report also highlights key…

School Data Management

10 tips for using analytics and adaptive tech in schools

February 17, 2025 by Stephanie King, CoSN

Adaptive technologies adjust to the student based on their interactions with the technology and what they need.

CoSN’s Driving K-12 Innovation initiative recently announced that Analytics & Adaptive Technologies as a Top Tech Enabler (tool) for 2025 and it’s appeared on the list five of the…

Digital Innovation

Here’s what will drive K-12 innovation in 2025

January 14, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

The annual research, with a full report coming in February of 2025, highlights transformative changes in K-12 innovation.

AI, learner agency, and digital equity are among a number of factors that can hinder or foster K-12 innovation, according to CoSN's annual Driving K-12 Innovation Top Topics.

AI in Education

Exploring generative AI products: Essential recommendations for schools on privacy and accessibility

October 16, 2024 by Fernanda Pérez Perez, CoSN 2024 Blaschke Fellow

GenAI tools should protect student data and comply with accessibility standards to create an inclusive and secure environment.

Districts must carefully select the right AI tools to meet their unique needs. This rapid adoption brings significant risks, particularly regarding data privacy and accessibility.

AI in Education

AI’s transformative role in accessibility

October 3, 2024 by Laura Ascione

Ongoing collaboration among educators, policymakers, and tech developers is essential to navigate the complexities of AI in accessibility.

AI has tremendous potential to enhance accessibility and support for students--particularly for students with disability, according to a new report from CoSN and CAST.

Student Data Security

Creating IEPs with GenAI while ensuring data privacy

September 25, 2024 by Fernanda Pérez Perez, CoSN’s 2024 Blaschke Fellow

When it comes to student IEPs, it’s crucial to balance AI's innovations with strong data privacy measures to protect student information.

All students have a right to privacy, and their personal and sensitive information must be kept confidential to protect them from unwanted exposure of their Personal Identifiable Information…

CoSN Corner

Interoperability is finally getting the spotlight it deserves

June 26, 2024 by Chloe Sanducci, Project Unicorn at InnovateEDU

For a secure data infrastructure, the foundational pieces of data ecosystems must be in place: interoperability, privacy, and cybersecurity.

Implementing interoperability can bring information from edtech tools together to holistically contextualize student learning, allowing educators, schools, and districts to understand their students better and support their paths…

Ancillary

CoSN IT Leader Spotlight: David Jarboe

May 23, 2024 by ESchool Media Contributors

These IT Leader spotlights highlight how innovative edtech and IT leaders are influencing teaching and learning across the nation.

In partnership with CoSN, eSchool News is highlighting the innovative and dedicated work of IT leaders in school districts across the country.

CoSN Corner

CoSN IT Leader Spotlight: Kley Todd

June 13, 2024May 23, 2024 by ESchool Media Contributors

In partnership with CoSN, eSchool News is highlighting the innovative and dedicated work of IT leaders in school districts across the country.

CoSN Corner

CoSN IT Leader Spotlight: Mike Daugherty

May 28, 2024May 23, 2024 by ESchool Media Contributors

In partnership with CoSN, eSchool News is highlighting the innovative and dedicated work of IT leaders in school districts across the country.

Community is Key to Saving Schools

May 17, 2024 by Kevin Hogan

While not a new concept, the importance of building a sense of community within school districts has never been more ... Read more

CoSN Corner

Beyond the visible: Recognizing and accommodating invisible disabilities

May 13, 2024 by Don Ringelestein, CETL, Yorkville CUSD #115

More conversations are needed around access and protections for those with invisible disabilities that aren’t always addressed.

The concept of accessibility for individuals with disabilities has been an evolving journey, significantly propelled by landmark legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

K-12 Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is top priority for K-12 edtech leaders

May 8, 2024 by Laura Ascione

Annual CoSN report highlights nationwide survey results of key trends and challenges for K-12 edtech leaders.

The majority of edtech leaders say they believe AI can benefit education, and roughly one-third have a general AI initiative, according to the 2024 State of EdTech District…

Podcast Articles

The Best of CoSN 2024

May 1, 2024April 30, 2024 by Kevin Hogan

In this episode of the Innovation and Education Podcast, hosted by Kevin Hogan, the focus is on the insights and experiences gathered from the 2024 CoSN conference. The…

Innovation Insights

Big Deals: Edtech Industry News from Google, ETS, Raspberry Pi Foundation, and More

April 29, 2024 by Kevin Hogan

4 questions every district leader should consider when choosing an edtech partner

TeachAI, an initiative led by Code.org, ETS, the International Society of Technology in Education, Khan Academy, and the World Economic ... Read more

CoSN Corner

CoSN IT Leader Spotlight: Lisa Higgins

April 26, 2024April 25, 2024 by ESchool Media Contributors

In partnership with CoSN, eSchool News is highlighting the innovative and dedicated work of IT leaders in school districts across the country.

Live @ CoSN2024

Meet the Winners—Dr. Kellie Wilks, Chief Technology Officer, of Ector County Independent School District, TX (ECISD)

April 12, 2024 by Kevin Hogan

The CoSN Withrow CTO Award recognizes an exceptional district CTO who serves as a true technology champion and whose leadership has been ... Read more

Live @ CoSN2024

Meet the Winners—Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) in Manassas, Virginia wins the 2024 Community Leadership Award for Digital Equity.

April 12, 2024 by Kevin Hogan

The CoSN Community Leadership Award for Digital Equity recognizes a district that is working to address digital equity, narrow the Homework Gap ... Read more

Live @ CoSN2024

#CoSN2024 Conversation – Tom Ryan Co-Founder K-12 Strategic Technology Advisor Group (NM)

April 10, 2024April 10, 2024 by Kevin Hogan

Tom Ryan wins CoSN’s Seymour Papert Lifetime Achievement Award, a recognition that has only been bestowed seven times in CoSN history.

Student Data Security

It’s not business, it’s personal: Building a culture of trust to protect personal data

April 8, 2024 by Laura Pollak, CoSN Student Data Privacy Committee

A culture of trust encourages and enables the smooth adoption of effective data protection, like those that require multiple steps.

Protecting our privacy and security is challenging. Really challenging. It is also inconvenient, time-consuming, and sometimes frustrating. Forgot your password? Yeah, that’s going to take some time to…

Live @ CoSN2024

Admins need PD too— Insights on CoSN’s CTO Academy

April 8, 2024April 5, 2024 by Kevin Hogan

What does it take to run the tech for a school district in 2024? A lot more than resetting the ... Read more

Live @ CoSN2024

Show Stopper—CTL on Connected Chromebooks

April 3, 2024April 3, 2024 by Kevin Hogan

CTL, a global cloud-computing solution leader for education, will present at the upcoming Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) conference in Miami, Florida, on Tuesday, ... Read more

Ancillary

CoSN2024 Wrap-Up

April 26, 2024March 29, 2024 by Kevin Hogan

Live @ CoSN2024

CoSN: The Basics

April 1, 2024March 28, 2024 by Kevin Hogan

What is CoSN? The Consortium for School Networking is the national professional association of K-12 EdTech leaders, their teams, and ... Read more

Live @ CoSN2024

Raising Bids to Raise the Bar in Edtech

April 2, 2024March 28, 2024 by Kevin Hogan

A large part of CoSN’s mission is to participate in edtech-related policy discussions at both national and state levels. Their ... Read more

Live @ CoSN2024

#CoSN2024 Remote—How to Do It

April 2, 2024March 28, 2024 by ESchool News Contributor

CoSN2024’s Virtual offering is “The CoSN Experience.” The event will no longer be a hybrid event, but a fully virtual ... Read more

CoSN Corner

CoSN2024 Wrap-Up

April 26, 2024March 19, 2024 by Kevin Hogan

Read and see highlights of the speakers, topics, and technologies showcased this year.

CoSN Corner

CoSN IT Leader Spotlight: Don Wolff

April 26, 2024March 6, 2024 by ESchool News Contributor

In partnership with CoSN, eSchool News is highlighting the innovative and dedicated work of IT leaders in school districts across the country.

Edtech Trends

CoSN names 9 edtech hurdles, trends, and tools

February 27, 2024 by Laura Ascione

CoSN's annual Driving K-12 Innovation report reveals significant shifts in the K-12 innovation landscape, impacting edtech and learning.

Teacher retention, learner agency, and, yes, generative AI are among the Hurdles (challenges), Accelerators (mega-trends) and Tech Enablers (tools) impacting education innovation for the year ahead.

Innovation Insights