Ted Richane
The Fratelli Group
202.822.9491
trichane@fratelli.com

Washington, DC (May 2, 2006) – One key to the continued success of K-12 technology investments is the ability of district technology leaders to communicate to the public the value of those investments. Today, the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) released a new publication designed to help facilitate that communication.

Telling the Technology Story: PR Strategies for School Leaders, the latest release in CoSN’s Essential Leadership Skills professional development series, is intended to help district technology leaders identify tools and strategies to successfully communicate to both internal and external stakeholders how technology is being used to increase student learning. The publication provides information on the value of communicating with the public, tips for issuing news releases and conducting interviews, and details on how to prepare for and manage crises.

“The school districts that have excelled at incorporating technology into the lives of their students are successful in large part because of their ability to demonstrate publicly the value of technology investments,” said Keith Krueger, CEO, CoSN. “School district technology leaders must not only recognize the importance of outside support for education technology, but must also understand how to build this support through communicating with public stakeholders. This new resource will help them develop that skill.”

Telling the Technology Story explains why community support for technology investments is critical, especially in preparation for bond referendums and other initiatives requiring public approval. Subsequent sections go into greater detail on communications tactics, developing relationships with members of the local media, and the importance of inviting parents to schools to see firsthand the value of technology investments. The book also discusses ways to keep relevant government officials informed of what school districts are accomplishing with technology.

“Past surveys have shown that community support is the most important factor in determining whether a school district has a flat or declining technology budget, or is growing. By building our communication skills, we in the education technology community demonstrate to local stakeholders that public funds are being put to good use. We all have inspiring stories to tell – and this tool will help us tell them effectively,” concluded Krueger.

Telling the Technology Story: PR Strategies for School Leaders is available for purchase from CoSN via their online catalog. To read a free executive summary, visit www.cosn.org/resources/essential/.

About the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)

The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) is the country’s premier voice in education technology leadership with a mission to serve as the national organization for K-12 technology leaders who use technology strategically to ultimately improve teaching and learning. CoSN provides products and services to support and nurture leadership development, advocacy, coalition building, and awareness of emerging technologies.

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 education and technology leaders, policy makers, and influencers from the public and private sectors. Our audience includes key technology leaders (often called Chief Technology Officers—CTOs) in leading-edge states and districts, policy makers, private sector leaders, 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.