History

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A Decade of Dynamic
Education Technology Leadership
1992 - 2002

Since 1992, CoSN has been a guiding light for educators interested in effective use of information technology in the classroom and has the national voice on use of the Internet and information technologies to improve K-12 learning. Our membership includes key technology leaders from school districts and states as well as leading corporate partners.

Read more about CoSN’s history.

Strong & Effective Voice

CoSN has developed a well-deserved reputation for advocating sound policies that enable effective use of technology in the classroom. Highlights include:

Erate

CoSN formed the original coalition that convinced Congress to enact E-rate, the most critical education technology funding mechanism in the U.S. CoSN continues to work to ensure the integrity of this $2.25 billion program for schools & libraries.

ESEA & Technology

CoSN led the efforts to ensure the recently enacted Elementary & Secondary Education Act made wise public policy around technology. Many of our recommendations were incorporated into law.

Funding

CoSN is a strong advocate for ensuring adequate funding for education technology on Erate, EETT (Enhacing Education Through Technology) and a host of other programs.

Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)

CoSN fought a federal mandate requiring all schools to filter because we believe this should be a local decision. Once CIPA was law, CoSN helped thousands of school districts understand the law with a free compliance guide.

Donated Computers

CoSN is the leading national education organization highlighting the hidden costs of "free" donated computers in schools.

Copyright and Distance Learning

CoSN is the only K-12 organization involved in negotiations around a rewrite of copyright laws and distance learning. This legislation recently passed the U.S. Senate.

Timely Updates and Action

CoSN is a Clearinghouse of "breaking news" and vital information on education technology. Our timely updates and alerts on legislation enable educators to have an impact on decisions BEFORE they are made. During our annual conference, CoSN brings roughly 100 key education leaders to meet with their members of congress and describe how technology is being implemented.

Leadership Tools

Accessible Technologies for All Students
www.accessibletech4all.org

The goal of this initiative is increased achievement and success for all students through the unlimited and effective use of accessible technologies.

Cyber Security for the Digital District
www.securedistrict.org

This initiative exists to provide information and tools for K-12 technology leaders and policy makers to help them protect network and information security in ways that help technology contribute to their school’s primary goal of teaching and learning.

Data-Driven Decision Making
www.3d2know.org

The goal of this initiative is to enable educators to think strategically about the use of data to drive decision making in K-12 schools.

Taking Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) to the Classroom
www.classroomtco.org

This initiative provides school leaders with tools to help them estimate the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) involved when they build a network of computers and wire their classrooms to the Internet.

Safeguarding the Wired Schoolhouse (SWS)
www.safewiredschools.org

This initiative provides school administrators with reliable information on technical and non-technical options internet safety. The effort helps educators understand the importance of information literacy, AUP's and other efforts to "make kids the filter".

CTO Council

In 2001 CoSN launched, as a joint effort with National School Boards Association's Technology Leadership Network, a new professional development organization for the chief technology officers (CTO's) from school districts. We deliver professional development and enable sharing of resources between the key technology decision-makers at the school district level. The CTO Council meets at the CoSN annual conference, NECC and Technology + Learning conferences, as well as participate in online discussions.

Other Key Efforts

Annual K-12 School Networking Conference

Premier meeting for school district, state and national education technology leaders.

Honoring Excellence

Sponsor awards for outstanding leadership by educators, public servants and private sector leaders.

International Leadership

For the past three years CoSN has invited ICT Ministry of Education leaders to attend and present at the annual CoSN conference.

Emerging Technologies

Enabling school leaders to better understand the myriad of emerging technologies that may have application in K-12 classrooms, including broadband, wireless, handhelds, ASP's and thin clients. .

Organizational Goals

Leadership Development

Supporting school leaders to ensure technology has a positive effect on learning.

Advocacy

Creating an effective voice on education technology issues.

Emerging Technologies

Exploring meaningful uses for new technologies in education.

Coalition Building

Fostering partnerships to advance education and leadership

The Future

Ever vigilant about future needs of key technology leaders, CoSN never rests on its laurels. We will continue to tackle important policy issues, develop practical leadership tools and make a real difference to the education technology community.

CoSN - Your Voice in the Future of Education Technology