CoSN Releases Results of First National K-12 IT Leadership Survey

The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) today released the results of its first annual CoSN K-12 IT Leadership Survey, as the association kicks off its 2013 Annual Conference. The survey polled district technology leaders nationwide to capture technology trends, challenges and priorities surrounding K-12 technology leadership. The results will help K-12 decision makers better understand how education leaders are leveraging technology to enhance teaching and learning, how these practices have changed over time and how current choices will affect the future of elementary and secondary education. Sponsored by Education Networks of America (ENA) and conducted in partnership with MCH Strategic Data, the survey was distributed to 2,500 district IT leaders in late fall 2012 and received more than 250 responses from across the country.

“This first-ever, annual survey identifies key challenges faced by school district IT leaders and provides key baseline data around where we are with technology leadership in school systems today. The data will measure our progress toward making technology an integral component of 21^stcentury teaching and learning,” said Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN.

According to the survey’s findings:

• 80% of school district technology leaders predict flat or declining IT budgets for the upcoming year.
• The top challenges facing IT leadership include budget and resources (76%), the transition from teacher- to student-centered culture (66%) and the breaking down silos within districts (40%).
• The top three priorities for district technology leaders in the current school year are: 1) implementing Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) strategies (43%); 2) preparing for the 2014-2015 Common Core State Online Assessments (35%); and 3) increasing broadband access (24%).

Additional key results from the survey:

• Nearly 43% (majority) of districts refer to technology leaders as “Chief Technology Officer” (CTO) or “Chief Information Officer” (CIO).
• 58% of district technology leaders report directly to the district superintendent.
• More than 60% of district technology leaders have six or more years of experience in their current positions (more than double the average tenure of a district superintendent).
• 80% of district technology leaders head both administrative and instructional technology.
• K-12 CTOs salaries lag behind the business sector. 65% of the CTOs report a salary of less than $100,000 while the average reported salary in the business sector for a CTO is over $190,000. 
• More than 80% of respondents recognize CoSN, and more than 50% of respondents recognize CoSN’s Certified Education Technology Leadership (CETL) Program.

“The K-12 technology landscape has shifted more dramatically in the last few years than in the entire previous decade. This report provides great insight that helps all district leaders embrace these changes and create a technology blueprint to meet their current and future needs,” said Lil Kellogg, Vice President, ENA.

To view the complete report, please visit: www.cosn.org/ITSurvey.  

CoSN’s Annual Conference runs through March 13, and will afford attendees with an opportunity to participate in various professional development sessions and engage with leading education technology experts worldwide. For more CoSN 2013 information, please visit:www.cosn.org/Conference2013. 

About the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)

CoSN is the premier professional association for school system technology leaders. The mission of CoSN is to empower educational leaders to leverage technology to realize engaging learning environments. Visit www.cosn.org or phone 866.267.8747 to find out more about CoSN’s Leadership Initiatives, annual conference and events, policy and advocacy, membership, and resources.