Education technology is effective when it is centered on learning, students are protected online, and transparent, local decision-making guides implementation.
DEFINING THE TERM
What We Mean by “Education Technology”
Not all screen time is the same. Understanding the difference between education technology and recreational digital use is essential for informed policy and practice.
Education technology encompasses the digital tools, platforms, and resources teachers and students use purposefully in the service of learning.
Recreational screen time includes social media, entertainment apps, and passive consumption — a separate category that requires a separate policy conversation.
CoSN’s Screens in Balance report provides a clear framework for distinguishing these categories — an essential starting point for families, educators, and policymakers navigating important screen time conversations.
FEATURED RESOURCE
Screens in Balance: Education, Technology, and Community Conversations
A practical framework that clarifies “screen time” terminology, distinguishes education technology from social media and entertainment, and offers community communication tools for districts.
THE EVIDENCE
How Education Technology Supports Learning
Education technology should be centered on student learning needs, guided by teachers, and built with evidence-based practices that prioritize active learning and prepare students for the digital world.
Effective use of education technology helps teachers differentiate instruction, assess student understanding in real time, and create time for personalized small-group and individual instruction.
Students report that technology-supported learning helps them:
Education technology also enables students with disabilities, families with language barriers, and those without home access to fully participate in modern learning environments.
It is also critical for workforce readiness, as employers expect skills in digital collaboration, online research, data literacy, and AI.
92% Become more independent
90% Learn at their own pace
85% Think critically
83% Collaborate with peers
8M+
Children in the United States receive special education services, many using technology as part of their individualized education plans
92%
Of jobs now require digital proficiency, making digital literacy essential for college and career readiness
FROM THE CLASSROOM
Hear From District Leaders & Educators
CoSN and our members are focused on education technology that advances learning, ensuring it is used appropriately and not to access recreational activities such as social media.
PRIVACY & SAFETY
How Students Are Protected Online
A strong framework of federal and state laws, school policies, and security safeguards protect students online. This includes both online protection as well as physical and administrative data safeguards.
Cybersecurity and data privacy have ranked as the top priority for education technology leaders for the last eight years, reflecting the essential role secure digital systems play in modern education.
Most districts report investing in monitoring, detection, identity protection, and firewall technologies, and many have used established incident response practices and partnerships to strengthen resilience.
In addition to local safeguards, students are protected by federal law and at least 40 state laws that establish clear requirements for data collection, parental consent, security, vendor obligations, breach notification, and data deletion.
Federal Protections
- Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
- Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
- Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA
FEATURED RESOURCE
2026 State of EdTech Leadership
Annual survey of education technology leaders on how K-12 school districts are implementing and managing education technology, providing a national snapshot of priorities, practices, and challenges.
FEATURED RESOURCE
Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal
Through the TLE Seal and State TLE Partnership Program, CoSN has helped districts strengthen privacy, cybersecurity, and governance practices for more than 1.4 million students nationwide.
LOCAL DECISION-MAKING
What Responsible Implementation Looks Like
School districts, working with parents, teachers, and students, are best positioned to purposefully implement education technology that serves local needs.
Districts nationwide already demonstrate that technology for learning can be used responsibly, safely, and effectively when implemented intentionally alongside classroom management practices, content filtering and monitoring, educator training, and clear expectations for appropriate use.
Clear Instructional Purpose
Technology is used when it adds value to learning, not by default.
Age-Appropriate Expectations
Schools set boundaries that reflect student needs, developmental stages, and classroom context.
Professional Judgment & Training
Educators receive training and retain authority over how tools are used in instruction.
Transparency With Families
Districts communicate clearly about how, when, and why technology is used.
Ongoing Review & Improvement
Technology practices are evaluated and refined over time.
Because districts vary widely in resources and student needs, decisions about device rules, screen-time expectations, and instructional technology are best made locally rather than through one-size-fits-all mandates, which may unintentionally harm students.
FEATURED RESOURCE
Setting Conditions for Success: Guidelines for Responsible Use of Technology for Schools
A practical resource designed to help K–12 school systems create clear, actionable expectations for student technology use — supporting safe, healthy, and effective learning environments.
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY
Artificial Intelligence in Education
School districts are actively exploring how AI can support teaching and learning, with a strong focus on responsible use, data privacy, and alignment to educational goals.
Education technology leaders see growing potential for AI to:
74% Boost productivity
67% Personalize education
46% Support student tutoring
43% Prepare students for the workforce
At the same time, districts are putting guardrails in place to ensure these tools are used appropriately and are aligned with educational priorities.
79% of districts now report having AI guidelines in place, up from 57% in 2025
56% of districts have policies for the acceptable use of generative AI, up from 38% the prior year.
FROM THE CLASSROOM
What happens when students write the rules?
Watch what happens when students from 15 schools are asked to draft a responsible AI policy — in their own words, from their own experience.
FEATURED RESOURCE
K–12 Generative AI Maturity Tool
A structured self-assessment framework that helps school districts evaluate their readiness and progress in implementing AI—across key domains like leadership, operations, data, and security.
LEADING THE WAY
About CoSN
As a national association representing thousands of school districts and millions of K-12 students, CoSN brings real-world perspectives about how technology is successfully deployed, managed, and used for K-12 learning.
CoSN — the Consortium for School Networking is the professional association for K-12 education technology leaders. CoSN works with school systems, educators, policymakers, and education partners to support the safe, effective, and responsible use of technology.
Research & Data
Providing evidence-based insights on technology trends in K-12 education
Frameworks & Guidance
Developing standards for privacy, cybersecurity, and governance
CoSN does not promote specific products. Its work focuses on systems, standards, and leadership that help schools put learning first.
Professional Learning
Supporting the ongoing development of education technology leaders
Convening & Community
Connecting educators and partners to share best practices at scale
CoSN Resource Hub
Tools, Reports, and Guidance
Practical resources for district leaders and educators implementing education technology.
Responsible Use & Implementation
Data & National Benchmarks
Cybersecurity & Data Privacy
Artificial Intelligence
THE VALUE OF EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY
Core Messaging Framework
Education technology is effective when it is centered on learning, students are protected online, and
transparent, local decision-making guides implementation.
