An EdTech article looks at industry research from 2025 tracking the changing K-12 landscape.
CoSN’s ”Driving K–12 Innovation” report studied hurdles, accelerators and tech enablers for 2025 and beyond:
- Top hurdles include attracting and retaining educators and IT professionals, the evolution of teaching and learning, and digital equity.
- Accelerators include learner agency, building the capacity of human leaders and changing attitudes toward demonstrating learning.
- Generative AI, analytics and adaptive technologies, and untethered broadband and connectivity are the top three tech enablers.
To address ethical innovation, personalization, the future of work and critical media literacy, the report recommends creating growth pathways for educators and IT staff that are supported by professional development and the use of AI to streamline processes.
In the SETDA 2025 State EdTech Trends Report, funding was named the biggest unmet edtech need. The expiration of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund support is one reason. Still, only 6% of respondents indicated that they plan to continue initiatives that were once supported by these funds, down from 27% in 2024. Districts are weighing edtech investments against their strategic plans to determine how to allocate funds.
The SETDA report noted uncertainty about state-funded broadband efforts in the coming year. As federal support for education shifts to states, districts must advocate for themselves while being strategic about leveraging multiple funding sources. Technology thought partners can work with districts to evaluate their digital ecosystems and determine where investments should be made.
CoSN examined cybersecurity in its 2025 State Cybersecurity Legislation Report. It addresses actions states have taken after federal support for the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center was eliminated. According to CoSN’s 2025 State of EdTech Leadership Report, 61% of districts rely on general funds rather than dedicated budgets for cybersecurity.
The MS-ISAC provided free cybersecurity training to districts; without it, districts are more vulnerable to cyberthreats unless they find funds to replace the training this program provided. Numerous states have introduced cybersecurity bills that will impact K–12 districts. The report highlights 18 bills, seven of which were enacted in two states — Arkansas and Texas.
Organizations such as CoSN and SETDA are just a few of many that advocate for districts around the country. Ensuring edtech resource experts have the most up-to-date advocacy and policy information to help districts is important to make the best decisions possible.
EdTech
