After 32 years at the helm of CoSN, Keith Krueger reflects on a profession transformed, a community strengthened, and the critical work still ahead.
INTERVIEW | by Victor Rivero
Throughout his tenure, Keith Krueger has been one of the clearest, steadiest, and most consequential voices in educational technology. Under his leadership, CoSN grew into the premier professional community for K-12 technology executives—a source of advocacy, knowledge, connection, and credibility amid extraordinary change. From digital equity and E-Rate to cybersecurity, responsible AI, and the evolving role of the CTO, he has brought the field’s most important issues into national and global conversations. As he prepares to retire, CoSN2027—April 12–14 in Orlando—will serve as both a gathering of the community he helped build and a fitting send-off. His tenure may be nearing its conclusion, but his influence on the profession will carry forward for years to come.
When you began leading CoSN 32 years ago, school technology leadership was a very different—and far less established—profession. What did you see then that convinced you this community needed a stronger voice, and what makes you proudest when you look at what it has become?
It was a completely different era—I can still hear the buzzing sound of dial-up, very slow Internet service. In the mid-1990s, other organizations existed for teachers using technology, but there was no national voice representing the district- and system-level perspective. Coming from Capitol Hill, I was deeply interested in how telecommunications and the early Internet could transform health, education, and libraries.
‘It was a completely different era—I can still hear the buzzing sound of dial-up …’
To be honest, none of us fully knew how this newly emerging Internet would reshape education, but early adopters were eager to explore its potential. One big breakthrough came with Mosaic, among the first graphical web browsers—suddenly, the world was at our fingertips. CoSN urged Congress and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to expand Universal Service—which had guaranteed rural telephone access for 50 years—to bring the Internet into every classroom. Our first major policy win was securing the E-Rate program in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which remains the foundational connectivity program for American education.
Looking back, I am extraordinarily proud of the community CoSN has built. We created the nation’s only accredited credential for K-12 technology leaders—the Certified Education Technology Leader (CETL®)—and we continuously deliver world-class thought leadership. By leveraging the immense talent of our members, we’ve developed vital resources to advance AI readiness, strengthen cybersecurity and data privacy, and drive purposeful technology use.
‘Looking back, I am extraordinarily proud of the community CoSN has built.’
Across digital equity, E-Rate, cybersecurity, privacy, and responsible technology policy, you have helped ensure that the realities facing school systems are heard nationally. Which advocacy battles have mattered most, and where must the field remain especially vigilant?
While we face many critical issues, our most urgent, existential fight is happening right now: defending the E-Rate program. We need the entire education community focused on this like a laser.
This summer, the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that opens by asking whether E-Rate has “achieved its mission” and should be terminated. Anyone who pays a home internet bill knows that connectivity is not a one-time expense. Maintaining reliable access requires ongoing investment.
‘Our most urgent, existential fight is happening right now…’
Even more concerning, the FCC raised extensive questions about using E-Rate to minimize screen time. While screen time and technology use are important policy discussions for educators and local school boards, E-Rate is a connectivity program, not an educational policy framework. CoSN provides extensive guidance on Purposeful Education Technology, but the FCC is a telecommunications regulator, not an education agency.
We need everyone to take action immediately:
- Submit Comments by October 13: Use CoSN’s E-Rate Comment Guide to file directly with the FCC.
- Message Congress: Generate a custom funding report at Save Our E-Rate and contact your federal lawmakers.
- Sign Our Petition: Ensure an authorized district leader signs on to protect affordable school internet.
We must be loud, unified, and clear: Hands off E-Rate—it is essential, and it works.
You have brought K-12 technology leaders together not only across the United States, but around the world. What have those global exchanges taught you about the challenges educators share—and the ideas American school systems should be paying closer attention to?
Fostering a global conversation around K-12 innovation has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my time at CoSN.
Technology is never the end goal; it is a tool to support teaching, learning, and student success. For 17 years, our Driving K-12 Innovation report—supported by nearly 150 U.S. and international advisors—has deliberately put technology last. We start by identifying the top three Hurdles educators face, then the three Accelerators changing teaching and learning, and only then the Tech Enablers that support them.
Leading international delegations has shown me that school systems worldwide face remarkably similar challenges, even if their solutions differ. For instance, CoSN’s Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) model was recently recognized by UNESCO in a new paper on the TCO of Artificial Intelligence.
‘Leading international delegations has shown me that school systems worldwide face remarkably similar challenges …’
I am also struck by how eagerly other nations leverage U.S.-led research to drive system transformation. Domestically, we need to build stronger ties between researchers and district leaders.
Bottom line: Innovation doesn’t stop at our borders, and engaging with global peers makes us all stronger, more thoughtful leaders.
As AI accelerates change across education, what lessons from the last three decades should guide today’s leaders? What must they protect, and where should they be bold?
While CoSN represents district technology leaders, CIOs, and CTOs, the true focus of leadership must always be educational impact. The central question isn’t what technology can do, but how emerging tools can improve teaching and learning, expand opportunity for students, and help schools operate more efficiently.
‘While CoSN represents district technology leaders, CIOs, and CTOs, the true focus of leadership must always be educational impact.’
As leaders adopt AI and other emerging tools, we must hold fast to the five core qualities of high-quality education technology: Safe, Evidence-Based, Inclusive, Usable, and Interoperable.
We also must do a far better job engaging parents and communities about the distinct value of educational technology. Passive, recreational screen time—like social media and gaming—is fundamentally different from intentionally designed, interactive learning tools at school. Too often, legitimate public concerns about personal screen habits are mistakenly conflated with purposeful classroom technology. Leaders must proactively tell that story.
CoSN2027 will be both your final annual conference as CEO and a celebration of your 32 years of leadership. What do you hope that gathering will mean to the community—and what would you most like to say to the people who have shared this remarkable journey with you?
Leading CoSN alongside such dedicated professionals for over three decades has been the honor of my career. The true magic of this organization has always been the power of community. It was never about what I accomplished, but what we built together by identifying a need, bringing brilliant minds together to build tools and resources, and sharing the solutions freely.
We are at a challenging juncture marked by debates over screen time, questions about future funding, and the rapid integration of AI. But I have complete confidence that our leaders will rise to the occasion, articulate the value of education technology, and advocate for thoughtful, balanced, student-centered strategies.
‘I have complete confidence that our leaders will rise to the occasion, articulate the value of education technology, and advocate for thoughtful, balanced, student-centered strategies.’
I recently returned from our planning retreat for CoSN2027: Innovate with Purpose (April 12–14, 2027). It is going to be an unforgettable event focused on thoughtful, lasting innovation—and a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our shared journey. I look forward to seeing long-time friends, welcoming new leaders, and reminding everyone that while I am stepping down as CEO, my commitment to this community isn’t going anywhere.
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Victor Rivero is the Editor-in-Chief of EdTech Digest and Executive Producer of EdTech Digest’s Future Focus Forums (F3), bringing together edtech companies with top U.S. school district technology leaders for the most effective way to get feedback on new and existing products. Write to: victor@edtechdigest.com.
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