The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) has released the 2026 State of EdTech District Leadership Report in partnership with Sogolytics. The survey design, administration, and data visualization for this report was conducted by Sogolytics Managed Research, a full-service research and consultant partner.
Drawing on responses from 607 education technology leaders across 44 states, the report maps how K–12 districts are navigating cybersecurity, AI adoption, community concerns about screen time, and procurement under tightening budgets.
With 1:1 device access now near universal in middle and high schools, district technology leaders are weighing how to keep networks safe, govern AI responsibly, address community concerns about screen time, and choose technology that is accessible, secure, and conducive to teaching and learning. This research partnership between CoSN and Sogolytics provides K–12 leaders with credible, data-driven insights they can use to address these questions with greater clarity, confidence, and strategic direction.
Key Findings from the 2026 Report
- Cybersecurity remains the top priority for the eighth consecutive year. 65% of districts report insufficient cybersecurity staffing, while 51% say cyber insurance costs have increased year over year, which takes resources away from the very systems and supports that could help reduce risk and prevent claims.
- Acceptance of AI in education has grown rapidly. 97% of districts report having AI guidelines in place, up from 57% in 2025, and 96% of education leaders believe AI has the potential to positively impact teaching and learning. However, 98% of leaders worry about the new cybersecurity threats enabled by AI, and an equal percentage express concern that educators may not yet have the training needed to integrate AI effectively into instruction.
- Community concern around student technology use continues to increase. 77% of districts report moderate to high concern from families and community members regarding students’ use of personal devices during the school day, while 64% report similar concerns related to instructional technology and screen time associated with teaching and learning.
- Digital accessibility is the indicator most at risk of being overlooked. Only 11% of districts have formal procurement policies requiring WCAG 2.1 AA compliance, leaving many exposed under new federal accessibility rules now affecting all local education agencies.
- Support for off-campus connectivity continues to decline. The percentage of districts not offering off-campus connectivity services increased from 26% in 2023 to 41% in 2026, despite the growing importance of reliable home access in increasingly widespread 1:1 learning environments.
“District technology leaders are being asked to manage growing complexity with limited time, staffing, and resources,” said Dr. Jennifer Coisson, Director of Research and Advisory Services at Sogolytics. “This research reinforces that the districts best positioned to maintain community trust are the ones intentionally listening to students, families, teachers, and staff throughout the process. In environments shaped by rapid change and competing priorities, meaningful feedback provides the clarity leaders need to make informed, credible decisions.”
Sogolytics works with K–12 districts to gather and act on feedback from across the school community. Managed Research handles end-to-end execution of annual climate, safety, and engagement studies. We handle the data-heavy work, sorting data, surfacing themes, and prioritizing action, so district leaders can focus on building trust and making meaningful change.
The full 2026 State of EdTech District Leadership Report is available from CoSN.
Sogolytics is a research and data/feedback management company offering two powerful solutions for school districts/organizations. For those seeking deeper partnership, our Managed Research Team provides full-service support—facilitating surveys, focus groups, program evaluations, and strategic planning to turn data into actionable insights. For teams conducting research in-house, our Engage/SogoCore survey platform provides the tools to independently design, distribute, and analyze surveys with ease. Whether fully supported or self-led, we help clients turn feedback into impact.
About CoSN
CoSN, the world-class professional association for K-12 EdTech leaders, is driven by a mission to equip current and aspiring K-12 education technology leaders, their teams, and school districts with the community, knowledge, and professional development they need to cultivate engaging learning environments. Visit cosn.org or email [email protected] to find out more about CoSN’s focus areas, annual conference and events, advocacy and policy, membership, and the CETL® certification exam.
