Theme of “Visionary Leadership: Scaffolding 21st Century Learning with Technology” Deadline for Submissions: August 24, 2007

Washington, DC  (July 10, 2007) – The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) today announced that the deadline for submitting presentation proposals for its 13th Annual K-12 School Networking Conference is fast approaching. Submissions are due August 24, 2007, and should relate to the theme for the 2008 meeting – Visionary Leadership: Scaffolding 21st Century Learning with Technology. The annual conference will take place March 9-11, 2008, at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City Hotel in Arlington, VA, near Washington, DC.

“The 2008 annual meeting, which will be held in close proximity to the nation’s capital, is designed for education technology leaders to share new and emerging ways technology is being used in schools to improve academic outcomes and help students build and maintain 21st century skills,” said Bridget Foster, CoSN Conference Co-Chair.

The conference will highlight a number of timely topics, including:

• Leadership for Transformation: Exploring the critical role of leadership;

• Accountability and Assessment (Benchmarking, Formative & Summative/High Stakes): Using data to personalize instruction;

• Innovative use of Emerging Technologies: Identifying cutting edge technologies and innovative applications in K-12;

• Content and Integration: Leveraging technology to advance student learning;

• Professional Development for Technology Leaders: Building your professional capacity;

• Supporting Research for Technology Implementation: Examine what the research tells us about how technology can improve student achievement; and

• Business and Operations: Using technology to improve operational effectiveness and efficiency.

CoSN is seeking presentation submissions that are related to these subject areas and focus on the implementation of emerging technologies to enhance learning and teaching in K-12 education.

In addition to the many informative sessions, another critical element of the conference is the Washington Advocacy Day. On Wednesday, March 12, following the annual conference, CoSN will work in partnership with other leading organizations to bring education technology advocates to Capitol Hill to meet with their Members of Congress. Participants will urge policymakers to develop and fully fund public policies that make investments in educational technology a top priority for our nation’s schools.

Last year’s conference in San Francisco, CA, drew the largest crowd ever in the history of CoSN annual meetings, with over 1,000 attendees.

For more information about the conference and submitting proposal, please visit www.k12schoolnetworking.org/2008/cfp.cfm.

About the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)
CoSN is the country’s premier voice in education technology leadership, serving K-12 technology leaders who through their strategic use of technology 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: Using Technology to Raise the Achievement of ALL Students (www.accessibletech4all.org); Cyber Security for the Digital District (www.securedistrict.org); Data-Driven Decision-Making (www.3d2know.org); K-12 Open Technologies (www.k12opentech.org); Taking Total Cost of Ownership to the Classroom (www.classroomtco.org); Value of Investment (www.edtechvoi.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.

###