Historically, K–12 school systems have taken a “do-it-yourself” approach to deploying and managing their network infrastructure. This DIY model has served school systems well for many years. However, K–12 leaders are starting to rethink this method as they look for ways to solve for a shortage of IT talent.

Education leaders and policymakers continue to analyze the impact on students, teachers, and families of the sudden changes to traditional education caused by the global pandemic. The quest to identify some silver linings from the experience, however, is coupled with a new heightened awareness about the lack of equitable learning in our nation’s schools and the understanding that equity is about more than providing a student with a Chromebook and a hotspot.

This new report from Project Tomorrow and Spectrum highlights how the role of district technology management has expanded beyond the more traditional responsibilities due to the pandemic, and identifies key questions that can help jumpstart important discussions with teachers, administrators, and other stakeholders regarding the new role of technology within the learning experience.