CoSN Honored for Helping Educators Budget for Total Cost of Ownership of Technology

Ted Richane
The Fratelli Group
202.822.9491
trichane@fratelli.com

Washington, DC (December 20, 2005) – The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) has been named to the 2006 Associations Advance America Honor Roll, a national awards competition sponsored by the America Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Washington, DC for its Taking Total Cost of Ownership to the Classroom leadership initiative. The leadership initiative was created to help schools more adequately plan for and support the technology investments associated with building computer networks and wiring classrooms for broadband.

CoSN contracted with Gartner, Inc. to develop a free TCO tool specifically for K-12. This comprehensive online tool, currently used by more than 1,500 school districts, directly addresses their specific technology ownership costs. The CoSN/Gartner tool helps educational technology leaders measure their initial and ongoing direct and hidden technology costs so they can develop plans for more effective uses of that technology towards the goal of enhanced student achievement, while holding the line on overall costs.

“CoSN’s TCO project applies business practices to the educational environment to ensure that the dollars spent on technology are expended wisely. To be recognized for this work is a great privilege and reaffirms its importance,” stated Keith Krueger, CEO of Consortium for School Networking.

"Total cost of ownership is a critical component in technology planning. At Fairfax County Public Schools we encourage analyzing and comparing TCO with the total benefits of ownership (TBO) to determine technology purchases. This gives us a balanced perspective and basis for prioritization in tight budget situations," said Maribeth Luftglass, CIO, Fairfax County Public Schools (Fairfax, VA).

Now in its 16^th year, the prestigious Associations Advance America Awards program recognizes associations that propel America forward, with innovative projects in education, skills training, standards setting, business and social innovation, knowledge creation, citizenship, and community service. Although association activities have a powerful impact on everyday life, they often go unnoticed by the general public.

“CoSN’s program truly embodies the spirit of the Associations Advance America campaign. It is an honor and an inspiration to showcase this activity as an example of the many contributions associations are making to advance American society,” remarked Associations Advance America Committee Chair Bill Bergman, CAE, president of William S. Bergman Associates.

For more information on CoSN’s Taking TCO to the Classroom leadership initiative, please contact project director Rich Kaestner at rich@cosn.org or 541.929.4589.

About the Consortium for School Networking
Founded in 1992, the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), a national non-profit organization, is the premier voice in education technology leadership. CoSN’s mission is to serve as the national organization for K-12 technology leaders who use technology strategically to improve learning.

CoSN leadership initiatives include: Accessible Technologies for All Students (www.accessibletech4all.org); Cyber Security for the Digital District (www.securedistrict.org); Data-Driven Decision Making (www.3d2know.org); Safeguarding the Wired Schoolhouse (www.safewiredschools.org); Taking Total Cost of Ownership to the Classroom (www.classroomtco.org); and the development of the Council of School District Chief Technology Officers (CTO Council).

CoSN’s membership includes a unique blend of technology leaders from the public and private sectors. Our audience includes key technology leaders (often called Chief Technology Officers—CTOs) in leading-edge states and districts, as well as those technology leaders who wish to accelerate their districts’ or states’ systemic technology use. Visit www.cosn.org or phone 866.267.8747 to find out more about CoSN’s programs and activities supporting leadership development to ensure that information technology has a direct and positive impact on student learning in elementary and secondary schools.