Leadership in Inclusive Technology Systems
Get Started with Leadership Practices:
Effective technology leadership promotes the development of a balanced and inclusive technology infrastructure that examines assistive technology (AT), educational technology (EdTech), and information technology (IT) as part of a technology ecosystem.
CITES has utilized a design-thinking process, in partnership with local districts, to refine a set of leadership practices that enhance the development of a balanced and inclusive technology system.
The leadership practices, when implemented, ensure that access to inclusive technology is built into the decision-making processes at the highest levels of a school district. A cross-discipline district leadership team will work together to establish and implement a shared vision of inclusive technology as it relates to their current and future priorities.
CITES leadership practices include:
- Create vision & goals
- Develop a strategic plan
- Measure progress
- Develop a professional learning system
- Engage families in leadership
The CITES leadership practices can be approached step by step, or as a “just-in-time” resource to focus on specific areas.
The Leadership Practices went through a robust knowledge development process including a Literature Review. Download the Leadership Practices Literature ReviewPDF document
Investigate District Leadership Practices
Watch this video to take the first step toward designing inclusive ecosystems by defining inclusive technology. Visit the rest of our video series: Building a Foundation for Inclusive Technology Systems.
Grab your team and get started with the CITES Self-Assessment: Leadership Practices
AI Governance, Policy, and Leadership Resources
- State AI Policy Mapexternal site, AI for Education
Explore state, national, and international AI policies, guidance, and implementation resources designed to support responsible AI use in education. - AI Policy Mapexternal site, Teach AI
Tracks emerging state and national AI policies to help education leaders develop informed, responsible, and future-ready AI governance practices. - Framework for Responsible AI Integration in PreK-20 Educationexternal site, CIDDL
A research-based framework for implementing AI in ways that are ethical, equitable, accessible, and aligned with teaching and learning goals across PreK-20 education. - AI Hubexternal site, Policies and Resources, CCSSO
For state education leaders, a curated collection of AI policies, guidance documents, frameworks, and implementation resources to support responsible AI adoption. - Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youthexternal site
Highlights federal priorities and initiatives designed to expand AI literacy, workforce readiness, and responsible AI use across education systems. - AI Readiness Frameworkexternal site, AI Edu
A roadmap for helping schools and districts build the knowledge, skills, and systems needed to support responsible and effective AI use across teaching and learning.
Learn More
- Webinar: Technology Leadership in Action, Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES) at CAST
- Webinar: Leading Inclusive Practices: Making Learning Accessible for Every Learning in your Districtexternal site (EdWeb)
- Podcast: Creating a Framework for Inclusive Technology: Part 2 of a 2 Part Series by The CoSN Podcastexternal site (Consortium for School Network)
- Article: Why Effective IT Leadership Must have Inclusive Technology Systemsexternal site, EdTech Magazine
- Case Story: BCSC | Columbus, INPDF document
- Case Story: TISD | Tomball, TXPDF document
Resources
- National Insights on Inclusive Practices in K–12 Districts
These are the results from a partnership with the Speak Up Research Project® and CITES where school and district leaders across 44 states from January to July 2025 were surveyed to understand how K–12 districts support inclusive education systems via the implementation of Assistive Technology (AT) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL).