The world of K-12 education continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace. Thanks to generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI), ongoing technological advancements, and the ever-present need for adaptability, today’s educational landscape is as challenging as it is filled with opportunities. CoSN’s Driving K-12 Innovation project remains your trusted guide, helping educators and technologists move education forward.
“Selecting the Top Topics is a vital step in CoSN’s Driving K-12 Innovation initiative, as it highlights the most pressing challenges and opportunities our schools face,” said Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN. “We are deeply grateful to our Advisory Board for their invaluable contributions — their insights, diverse perspectives, and commitment to innovation make this project possible. Together, we’re paving the way for meaningful change that empowers students, educators, and technologists alike.”
After months of synchronous and asynchronous discussions, surveys, and expert insights, we’re thrilled to unveil the initiative’s 2025 Top Topics — a curated list of Hurdles (obstacles), Accelerators (megatrends), and Tech Enablers (tools) — that will shape the future of K-12 innovation.
View the 2025 Top Topics
While the 2024 Top Topics saw dramatic change, the Advisory Board selected topics that have commonly seen on the list or are returning from past years. This suggests we have more work to do to overcome these Hurdles, take advantage of Accelerators, and leverage the Tech Enablers for student, educator, and community success.
Get to know the Hurdles, Accelerators, and Tech Enablers that will drive K-12 innovation in 2025:
Hurdles
Top 3 most important Hurdles for schools to address in 2025 that are roadblocks that force schools to slow down, prepare themselves, and make a leap:
- Attracting & Retaining Educators and IT Professionals
- Evolution of Teaching & Learning
- Digital Equity
Accelerators
Top 3 most important Accelerators for schools to utilize in 2025 to help motivate and increase speed of innovation:
- Learner Agency
- Building the Human Capacity of Leaders
- Changing Attitudes Toward Demonstrating Learning
Tech Enablers
Top 3 most important Tech Enablers for schools leverage in 2025 in order to surmount Hurdles and leverage Accelerators:
- Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI)
- Analytics & Adaptive Technologies
- Untethered Broadband & Connectivity
How It Works
The Driving K-12 Innovation Advisory Board, comprising over 140 educators and IT professionals from around the globe, plays a critical role in shaping the conversation around innovation in education. Board Members contribute by offering thoughtful insights, sharing impactful personal experiences, and challenging their peers to view emerging topics from new perspectives.
Each year, the Advisory Board engages in a collaborative process that includes:
- Completing an initial survey to identify key topics for exploration;
- Participating in both live and online discussions to evaluate, refine, and deliberate on pressing issues influencing K-12 education;
- Completing a final survey to determine the Top Topics that will be highlighted in the annual report.
Register for the 2024 Driving K-12 Innovation Summit
Gather virtually with the 2025 Advisory Board and other education changemakers on Wednesday, February 5, from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. EST for our celebratory Summit: Navigating Hurdles, Accelerators, and Tech Enablers for Tomorrow’s Learners. This exclusive event is open to CoSN members, sponsors, partners, Advisory Board members, and invited guests.
Join CoSN’s Driving K-12 Innovation Advisory Board for a two-hour virtual summit that brings together global K-12 educators and technologists who are passionate about pushing the boundaries of innovation in education. This interactive event complements the release of our 2025 report, an annual publication designed specifically for forward-thinking educators and tech leaders to catalyze change in their school districts.Inspired by the “choose your own adventure” concept, attendees will explore the major Hurdles (roadblocks) facing education this year, uncover current Accelerators (megatrends) driving change, and discover cutting-edge Tech Enablers (tools) that can accelerate progress in their classrooms. Through engaging activities, expert panels, and real-world case studies, you’ll learn how to turn challenges into opportunities and foster lasting innovation in your district during this virtual, gamified adventure.
AUTHOR: Stephanie King, Writer and Communications Manager,
CoSN’s EdTech Innovations Committee and Driving K-12 Innovation
Published on: December 4, 2024
CoSN is vendor neutral and does not endorse products or services. Any mention of a specific solution is for contextual purposes.
