Maryland Incorporates K-12 CIO Council, Becomes CoSN Chapter

Ted Richane
The Fratelli Group
202.822.9491
trichane@fratelli.com

Washington, DC (February 6, 2006) – The Maryland K-12 CIO Council, a new nonprofit organization representing K-12 school district chief information officers in the state, has just become the second state chapter of the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN).

“Aligning with CoSN is a great strategic move for Maryland school district CIOs and CTOs as it gives us both a state and a national voice,” said John Q. Porter, Deputy Superintendent of the Office of Information and Organizational Systems for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), and active participant in the Maryland K-12 CIO Council. “While there are other organizations and resources for building-level technology leaders, this new organization will help Maryland’s district-level technology decision-makers tap into a vast network of resources around the ways technology can be employed to improve learning.”

“CoSN is thrilled with this exciting new partnership with the Maryland CIO Council. We believe it is an important next step in creating a strong national network of district technology leaders,” stated Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN. “School CTOs and CIOs are relatively new hybrid professionals that need connections with their peers and professional development targeted specifically to their needs. CoSN’s Framework of Essential Skills of the K-12 District Technology Leader provides a basis for this. This is a true win/win opportunity for both Maryland and CoSN.”

Members of the Maryland CIO Council will immediately enjoy all the benefits of CoSN membership. CoSN launched its first state chapter – the Texas K-12 CTO Council – in September of 2004. CoSN is actively working with other states and state-based organizations from around the country to form additional state chapters. The goal of these alliances is to strengthen the voice and resources available to district technology leaders

For more information about the K-12 CIO Council, contact Diane Mohr at diane_mohr@mcpsmd.org or 301.279.3582.

About the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)

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.