CoSN is committed to engaging in dialogues across diverse perspectives within the K-12 EdTech field, to develop and promote strategies that achieve diversity, advance equity, and strengthen inclusion.
Our goal is to create a professional learning community that encourages actionable changes within our CoSN volunteer committees, meetings, and activities.
Together with our board, staff, members, and corporate partners, we will continue to advocate against systemic inequity along with the silence and complicity that surrounds it by promoting a culture of collaboration and teamwork, effective management of dialogue, transparency, open communication, and skill-building to enhance interpersonal and working relationships.
Adopted by CoSN Board, 2018. Updated in April 2021.
CoSN’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Call to Action Continuum
Recognize
Acknowledge inequity and that there is a choice between ambivalence and action
We, at CoSN, recognize that equity and equality are not the same. Systemic inequities have led to a digital divide. We will work to ensure access to equitable use of technology, through agency, while promoting diversity in the field to better represent the communities whom education technology leaders serve.
Learn and Reflect
Assess your opportunities for action
We, at CoSN, in order to create change, will listen, learn, reflect, and take action to become more inclusive in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion and belonging. We should identify opportunities to take action towards positive change.
Be an Ally
Choose Action
We, at CoSN, do not condone microaggressions whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative prejudicial slights and insults towards a group, particularly culturally marginalized groups and will confidently stand up and speak out for others. We should be anti-racist and stand up for what is right, not comfortable.
Be an Activist
Take Intentional ProActive Actions
We, at CoSN, join the millions of our colleagues across the nation in condemning unfair systemic treatment in its various forms. It is our mission to equip and empower all stakeholders with resources and skills to combat and eradicate racism (interpersonal, internalized, structural, institutional) within our spheres of influence and beyond. We understand that progress for any group will support the ongoing work towards diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for all.
Diversity
Includes variations in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, other ideologies or other characteristics protected by applicable law.
Equity
Recognizes that we all don’t all start from the same place. Equity is a process that works to correct and address imbalances to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to grow, contribute, and develop .
Inclusion
Means removing barriers and creating an environment that embraces all values with a sense of welcoming and belonging.