What Does Industry Research Say About K–12 Funding and Leadership?

CoSN Report Predicts a Year of Innovation

In February, CoSN released the ”Driving K–12 Innovation” report, a look at hurdles, accelerators and tech enablers for 2025 and beyond. CoSN convened its international advisory board to compile the top three challenges, trends and tools propelling innovation in K–12 education. 

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. Finally, the board identified generative AI, analytics and adaptive technologies, and untethered broadband and connectivity as the top three tech enablers. 

There are some themes that connect these challenges and opportunities, including ethical innovation, personalization, the future of work and critical media literacy. Still, districts are aiming to do more with less. To address these challenges and keep up with trends, the board recommends creating growth pathways for educators and IT staff that are supported by professional development and use AI to streamline processes.

Click the banner below for insight into optimizing device lifecycle management.

SEDTA Report Identifies Funding as the Biggest Unmet Need

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 part of this concern, but that expiration should not have come as a surprise to districts. 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 have had to re-evaluate their priorities, weighing edtech investments against their strategic plans to determine how to allocate funds. 

The SETDA report also noted uncertainty about state-funded broadband efforts in the coming year. As federal support for education shifts to states, districts are increasingly having to advocate for themselves while also being strategic about leveraging multiple funding sources. A technology thought leader such as CDW can work with districts to evaluate their digital ecosystems and determine where investments should be made. 

RELATED: Learn more about classroom modernization solutions.

Cybersecurity Report Addresses Legislation That Impacts Schools

According to CoSN’s 2025 State of EdTech Leadership Report, 61% of districts rely on general funds rather than dedicated budgets for cybersecurity. CoSN explored cybersecurity specifically with its 2025 State Cybersecurity Legislation Report, which addresses actions states have taken after federal support for the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center was eliminated. 

The MS-ISAC provided free cybersecurity training to districts; without it, districts are more vulnerable to cyberthreats, unless they can find the funds to replace the training this program provided. In response, a number of 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.

The state of cybersecurity-focused funding is still unclear, and districts should consider working with a trusted service provider to help prioritize cybersecurity spending. A cybersecurity assessment from CDW can help districts understand the tools at their disposal, where gaps might exist and the best way to close them.  

Organizations such as CoSN and SETDA are just a few of the many that advocate for districts around the country. CDW works closely with these and other organizations to ensure our technical experts have the most up-to-date advocacy and policy information to help districts make the best decisions possible.

This article is part of the ConnectIT: Bridging the Gap Between Education and Technology series.