Washington, DC (January 8, 2009) – The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) released its first-ever Ethical Standards & Code of Ethics for school district-level chief technology officers (CTOs). As the premier membership organization for CTOs, CoSN is uniquely positioned to issue guidance on the ethical standards to which its members are expected to adhere. CoSN developed the Code and Standards to define and clarify the ethical responsibilities of and expectations for district technology leaders/CTOs.
"High ethical standards and accountability are critical to any leadership position, and as educational leaders, district technology leaders have a responsibility to be exemplars of ethical behavior in the communities they serve," said Bev White, CoSN Board Member and Chief Information Officer, Wake County Public School System, Raleigh NC.
"The CTO's decision-making must always support the district's responsibility to provide educational opportunities to each child that will enable students to graduate prepared for the future. The CTO's decisions should align technology in support of district goals and strategic directions and emphasize accountability and results," reads the Code.
According to CoSN's Code of Ethics, CTOs are expected to:
· Respect and obey the law;
· Demonstrate high standards of integrity and professional conduct;
· Accept responsibility for his/her own actions;
· Continually seek to enhance his/her professional capacities;
· Exemplify fairness and honesty; and
· Encourage others in the profession to act in an ethical and professional manner.
For the full text of CoSN's Ethical Standards & CTO Code of Ethics, visit www.cosn.org.
About the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)
CoSN is the country's premier voice in education technology leadership, serving K-12 technology leaders who through their strategic use of technology, improve teaching and learning. CoSN provides products and services to support and nurture leadership development, advocacy, coalition building, and awareness of emerging technologies.
CoSN leadership initiatives include: Cyber Security for the Digital District; Data-Driven Decision-Making; Green Computing Leadership Initiative; IT Crisis Preparedness Initiative; K-12 Open Technologies; Taking Total Cost of Ownership to the Classroom; Value of Investment and Empowering the 21st Century Superintendent; and Small District Technology Leadership.
CoSN's membership includes a unique blend of education and technology leaders, policy makers, and influencers from the public and private sectors. Our audience includes key technology leaders (often called Chief Technology Officers—CTOs) in leading-edge states and districts, policy makers, private sector leaders, as well as those technology leaders who wish to accelerate their districts' or states' systemic technology use. Visit www.cosn.org or phone 866.267.8747 to find out more about CoSN's programs and activities supporting leadership development to ensure that information technology has a direct and positive impact on student learning in elementary and secondary schools.
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