About This Initiative

CoSN has long recognized that superintendents can make or break technology initiatives. For example, in a 2004 nationwide survey of 455 technology decision makers,Digital Leadership Divide: CoSN found that visionary technology leadership – and the community support fostered by district leaders – made the difference in districts that were able to bolster their technology plans, budgets and implementation.

Now, with this report, CoSN is launching Empowering the 21st Century Superintendent, an initiative dedicated to helping superintendents, aspiring superintendents and district leadership teams build their knowledge, skills and confidence as effective technology leaders.

This report highlights five themes and action steps for technology leadership, which emerged from CoSN's extensive conversations with superintendents and from topics that are gaining national – and international – interest among educators, parents, policymakers and the business community.

Five Themes for Technology Leadership

• Strengthen District Leadership and Communications
• Raise the Bar with 21st Century Skills
• Transform Pedagogy with Compelling Learning Environments
• Support Professional Development and Communities of Practice
• Create Balanced Assessments

On this Web site dedicated to the initiative you will find additional – and evolving – opportunities to learn and collaborate with your peers.

Understanding the "Third Wave" Challenge

Technology leadership presents special challenges for superintendents for good reasons. More