Actionable tools to help educators, families and policymakers communicate about the role of screens and learning

 

Washington, D.C. (September 29, 2025) – CoSN today released its 2025 CoSN Blaschke Report, Screens in Balance: Education, Technology and Community Conversations. The report and tools examine the different ways screens appear in classrooms and homes and explore how educators, families and policymakers can work together to navigate their inevitable impact on children.

The report aims to clarify the term “screen time” as it relates to children in K-12 education. In public debates, the term is often used without distinction, making thoughtful, constructive conversations among stakeholders more difficult. To focus the discussion, the report identifies three primary forms of screen use in K-12 education — each with distinct risks and opportunities:

  • Smart Phones and Social Media — A source of national debate, with states and districts enacting new restrictions that cite distraction, safety and mental health concerns.
  • Educational Technology (EdTech) — Tools designed for instructional purposes, offering powerful opportunities for differentiation, accessibility, enrichment and workforce preparation when used with intention and balance.
  • Screen-Based Entertainment — Media that shape children’s long-term technology habits before they even enter school, often influencing how families interpret educational screen use.

The report also underscores the role of educators — both classroom teachers and site leaders — as public-facing figures at the intersection of policy debates and on-the-ground implementation. Consistent, thoughtful communication, paired with high-quality, well-structured instruction, builds community trust and supports positive academic outcomes. As conversations about screens and EdTech evolve, educators should use technology purposefully and clearly communicate its impact and effectiveness to families.

Key Recommendations for Educators

The report highlights practical steps schools can take to build public trust and use technology effectively:

  • Teacher Development — Provide both new and experienced teachers with ongoing, context-specific professional development for using EdTech effectively.
  • Modeling Digital Literacy and Citizenship — Teach and model digital citizenship, showing students how to balance the academic and social dimensions of screen use.
  • Administrative Coherence and Clarity — Ensure school and district leaders articulate a clear vision for how screens fit into instruction, aligning decisions with both local needs and community expectations.

This report was made possible with the support of key partners, including AASA, The School Superintendents Association, the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the National Education Association (NEA), the National PTA and the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA).

“Screens in Balance is arriving at just the right time for this debate over cell phones at school, giving educators practical tools to engage families and communities in thoughtful conversations about technology in learning. We’re grateful to our many partners who helped shape this important resource,” said Keith Krueger, CEO, CoSN.

“I am thrilled to finally release CoSN’s 2025 Blaschke Report and Screen Time Toolkit to the public. As a current classroom teacher trained during COVID lockdowns, I felt it necessary to center this work around the needs of practitioners during this era in American K-12 education. My hope is that these publications support educators in leading thoughtful, nuanced and effective conversations with their communities about technology use,” said Cooper Sved, 2025 Charles Blaschke Scholarship Fellow and Author of the 2025 CoSN Blaschke Report.

“It is hard to believe that this year marks the fifth year of the Blaschke Fellow program and report. My husband, Charles, would be so honored to know that his commitment to the evolution of education technology policy and research continues through the excellent work of Blaschke Fellows like Cooper Sved,” said Kathy Hurley, CEO, Kathy Hurley Consulting, and Former EVP, Pearson Foundation. “Sved’s research and report could not be more timely as school districts around the country are seeking to appropriately incorporate screens for educational purposes while also acknowledging the need for limitations to technology use.”

As part of this work, CoSN also released a Screen Time Toolkit. The toolkit is designed to support educators in navigating conversations about screen use within their school communities and includes adaptable resources — such as screen-time presentations, cheat sheets for educators, teacher self-reflection frameworks and an Administrative EdTech Audit — to align classroom practice with family understanding. A compelling series of blog posts also is available on the CoSN website exploring aspects of this topic.

The complete report, including the toolkit and blog posts, is available for free download here: https://www.cosn.org/2025-blaschke-report-toolkit/

About CoSN
CoSN, the world-class professional association for K-12 EdTech 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 13 million students and continues to grow as a powerful and influential voice in K-12 education. 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/

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Makenzie Carlin, mcarlin@fratelli.com