New Report Provides K-12 District Leaders With a Practical Framework for Adopting and Sustaining School Technology Changes
Washington, D.C. (September 23, 2026) — CoSN — The Consortium for School Networking today released its 2026 Blaschke Report, Change Management for Education Technology: A Practical Guide for District Leaders, which examines how K-12 school districts can use change management to successfully adopt and sustain new technologies for teaching and learning. CoSN also released a companion School District Technology Change Management Toolkit that provides practical resources for implementing the report’s recommendations.
Authored by CoSN’s 2026 Blaschke Fellow, Jesse Davis, the report uses the ADKAR model to organize the change process around five outcomes: Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, and Reinforcement. Drawing on a summer-long qualitative research project, the report combines a review of change management literature with interviews conducted with education and technology leaders representing small, mid-sized, and large public school districts across the nation. Interview findings were organized around recurring themes and practical examples to develop recommendations for district leaders.
“School districts must continually adapt to evolving technologies, expectations and challenges,” said Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN. “This year’s Blaschke Report provides district leaders with a practical framework for managing change in a way that supports educators, staff, students, and families while helping districts realize the full value of their technology investments.”
“Once again, I am very proud that contributions to the Blaschke Fund helped to underwrite another outstanding report for the K-12 education technology sector. Blaschke Fellow Jesse Davis’ report could not be timelier as it explains why change management must sit alongside project management in every major technology initiative. Furthermore, the accompanying toolkit developed by CoSN gives school leaders ready-to-use assessments, planning templates, communication tools, and structures so they can immediately begin implementing the concepts championed in the report,” said Kathy Hurley, CEO, Kathy Hurley Consulting & Former EVP, Pearson Foundation.
“Technology alone does not transform education; the people who use it do. Change management ensures that communities have the leadership, training, and support needed to thrive alongside new technologies. I’m honored to have written this year’s Blaschke Report and learned from education leaders advancing this work nationwide and helping their communities grow through technological change,” said Jesse Davis, author of the report and 2026 Blaschke Fellow.
The report’s central message is that districts must manage both the technical and human factors of technology adoption. By developing a repeatable change management practice, district leaders can reduce disruption, strengthen stakeholder trust, and increase the likelihood that new technology is accepted and sustained.
The report is accompanied by a change management toolkit that translates the report’s principles into action through adaptable resources, including a change readiness checklist, communication plan, and change champion guide. Together, the report and toolkit provide districts with a practical foundation for managing current initiatives and preparing for future changes.
About CoSN
CoSN, the world-class professional association for K-12 education technology leaders, stands at the forefront of education innovation. We are driven by a mission to equip current and aspiring K-12 education technology leaders, their teams, and school districts with the community, knowledge, and professional development they need to cultivate engaging learning environments. Our vision is rooted in a future where every learner reaches their unique potential, guided by our community. CoSN represents over 2,000 school districts and 14 million students and continues to grow as a powerful and influential voice in K-12 education. www.cosn.org
About The CoSN Blaschke Fellowship Fund
The Blaschke Fund was created by CoSN to support emerging leaders in education technology policy and advocacy. This memorial fund honors the late industry giant Charles Blaschke, who conducted pioneering research and analysis on the ever-changing U.S. education landscape for over 50 years. Through the fellowship, graduate students have the opportunity to develop research along with CoSN in topics related to digital equity, protecting privacy of education data, enabling accessibility, or other key topics. cosn.org/the-blaschke-fund/
