CoSN today announced that more than 300 school system technology leaders across 33 states have earned the Certified Education Technology Leader (CETL™) designation.
 
The CETL is the world’s first certification for K-12 education technology leaders who have demonstrated that they are prepared to advance modern learning environments in their districts. The certification provides a consistent, objective, third-party expert recognition of the leadership knowledge, skills and abilities required of school technology professionals. 
 
“Increasingly, school technology directors, CTOs and CIOs understand that now is more important than ever to be a leader in their districts. The CETL program gives them the tools and guidance to be a driver of change and build 21st-century educational settings,” said Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN.
 
The CETL certification is open to school technology leaders that have a bachelor’s degree and at least four years of education technology experience. That experience is defined as demonstrable proven work in the three overarching skill areas of CoSN’s Framework of Essential Skills of the K-12 CTO: Leadership and Vision; Understanding the Educational Environment; and Managing Technology and Support Resources. The CoSN Framework provides the outline of what tasks are required of education technology professionals, as well as the knowledge needed to perform those tasks.  
 
To further build their leadership development, CETLs must recertify every three years and report at least 60 continuing education activity points, which include participating in structured professional development; publishing within the field; teaching within the field; serving the profession on volunteer committees; and membership with other organizations.
 
 “With more than 300 CETLs nationwide, these school technology professionals are part of a premier national network to share their leadership experiences and learn from each other,” said Alice Owen, CETL, Executive Director of the Texas K-12 CTO Council, and Chair of the Certification Governance Committee. “What is more: CETL participation is voluntary. This means that a professional who pursues the designation is committed to their field of work and to reaching the highest standards for themselves, teachers and students.”
 
To learn more about the program, including stories from CETL school leaders, visit: cosn.org/certification.