School system leaders need guidance to advance their technology goals—and overcome both the unexpected and expected challenges. That is why CoSN developed a new resource to support its efforts in the 21st century. The Digital Leap Success Matrix outlines the practices needed to be a successful digital school system.
The Matrix is aligned to CoSN’s Framework of Essential Skills of the K-12 CTO, focuses on three key professional categories:
- Leadership and Vision
- Educational Environment
- Managing Technology and Business
Moving beyond the individual leader and identifying and promoting the fundamental requirements for the school system to create next-generation learning environments that foster equitable, effective use of technology.
The CoSN Digital Leap Success Matrix focuses on infrastructure and environmental variables while the CoSN Framework of Essential Skills focuses on individual skills.
The CoSN CTO Council approved updates to the Matrix in November 2022. The new updates integrated throughout the framework focus on common practices in interoperability, data privacy, and cybersecurity. These are all three areas where CoSN has invested significant time in understanding current practices and generating new community resources.
If you are interested in Matrix related professional development opportunities: CoSN Year-Round Catalog and CoSN Courses and Workshops Catalog
The updated Matrix is below:
Leadership and Vision
The executive team works together to develop a shared vision with all stakeholders for effective and strategic technology use.
Strategic Planning
School system leaders utilize their high-level view of the school system to identify the steps needed to transform the digital vision into a long-range plan, complete with specific goals, governance, objectives, and action plans.
Ethics and Policies
The school system leadership team models responsible decision-making and manages the creation, implementation, and enforcement of policies related to the social, legal, and ethical issues linked to technology use throughout the school system.
Instructional Focus and Professional Development
School system leaders budget, plan, and coordinate ongoing, purposeful professional development using technologies for all staff.
Team Building and Staffing
School system leaders create and support cross-functional teams for decision-making, technology support, professional development, and other aspects of the school system’s technology program.
Stakeholder Focus
The school system builds trusting relationships with all stakeholders.
Infrastructure
The school system maintains a robust infrastructure that aligns to industry standards and is adequate to meet the needs of stakeholders.
Information Technology Management
The school system manages the data programs that are needed for operations and instruction.
Communications Management
The school system manages the platforms and messages used to communicate transparently with internal and external stakeholders, effectively using both emerging and mature technologies as appropriate.
Business Management
The school system manages the budget, financial operations, disaster recovery, and business continuity effectively.
Data Management
Implement and maintain systems and tools for gathering, mining, integrating, and reporting data.
Data Privacy and Security
Implement practices and systems to ensure the privacy and security of organizational data.