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.
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 April 2026. The 2026 matrix emphasizes secure, connected, and well-governed digital systems, with a strong focus on operational execution and continuous improvement across the entire organization. It also reflects a shift toward embedded, system-wide responsibility, where interoperability, data privacy, and cybersecurity are integrated into everyday decision-making across all roles and functions—not treated as separate initiatives.
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:
The Digital Leap Success Matrix contains ten specific skill areas:
Leadership and Vision
The executive team establishes and sustains a shared vision for effective technology use that ensures alignment across instruction, operations, and secure, well-governed digital systems.
Strategic Planning
School system leaders develop and implement long-range plans that align goals, resources, risk management, and system integration to support sustainable digital transformation.
Ethics & Policies
The school system establishes, implements, and enforces policies that address ethical, legal, and responsible technology use, including strong data governance, privacy, and security practices.
Instructional Focus & Professional Development
School system leaders design and support ongoing professional learning that enables staff to effectively use technology and data to improve teaching and learning outcomes.
Team Building & Staffing
The school system builds and supports cross-functional teams that collaborate across instruction, technology, data, and security to implement and sustain digital initiatives.
Information Technology Management
The school system manages a cohesive and interoperable technology ecosystem, ensuring systems are integrated, efficient, and aligned to support instruction and operations.
Data Management
The school system implements and maintains systems and processes to ensure high-quality, accessible, and integrated data that supports decision-making and continuous improvement.
Communications Management
The school system uses effective communication strategies and platforms to ensure clear, timely, and transparent information sharing with all stakeholders.
Business Management
The school system manages financial resources, procurement, and operational continuity, incorporating risk management, cybersecurity, and long-term sustainability.
Data Privacy and Security
The school system ensures the protection of data through comprehensive privacy and security practices that are embedded across all systems, processes, and roles.
