Driving K-12 Innovation 2026: Accelerators (Part 2 of 3)

Innovation in K–12 education isn’t just about overcoming challenges—it’s about understanding what’s actively pushing change forward.In this second episode of a three-part series, we explore the Accelerators identified in the 2026 Driving K-12 Innovation Report, developed by the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) and its global Advisory Board.Building on Episode 1, this conversation shifts from pressure to momentum—examining the conditions, mindsets, and system-level changes that are helping schools move forward, even in the face of ongoing disruption.Drawing directly from the CoSN webinar and report, this episode highlights how leadership, assessment, and learner agency are shaping the future of teaching and learning.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy building leadership capacity is essential for sustaining innovation in complex school systemsHow schools are rethinking assessment and demonstrating learning in the age of AIWhat learner agency really means—and why it requires system-wide changeHow districts are shifting from one-off professional development to intentional leadership pipelinesWhy changes in instruction, assessment, and student ownership are deeply interconnectedHow these Accelerators directly respond to the Hurdles discussed in Episode 1Voices from the Advisory BoardThis episode features insights from global education leaders who led the Accelerators panel during the CoSN webinar:Freddie Cox – CETL, Chief Technology Officer, Knox County Schools (Tennessee)Focus: Building leadership capacity through intentional systems, long-term planning, and developing future leadersClaus Gregersen – Head of Studies, Annet Gymnasium (Denmark)Focus: Rethinking assessment, real-world learning, and how students demonstrate understanding in evolving learning environmentsLaura Motta – President, Uruguay Without Limits Foundation; Coordinator, Got Parents Project (Uruguay)Focus: Learner agency, system transformation, and the connection between student and educator empowermentThese voices reflect real-world implementation across different countries, systems, and educational models—bringing a global perspective to shared challenges and opportunities.Key TakeawayThe forces driving innovation in K–12 education are not rooted in technology alone—they are grounded in people, systems, and mindset shifts.From leadership development to assessment redesign to learner agency, each Accelerator represents a move toward more intentional, human-centered approaches to education.Explore More⁠2026 Driving K-12 Innovation Report⁠⁠2026 Driving K-12 Innovation Report: Hurdles, Accelerators & Tech Enablers⁠⁠CoSN Driving K-12 Innovation Summit 2026 Webinar Recording⁠⁠K-12 EdTech Innovation⁠In Part 3, we explore the Tech Enablers—the tools and systems making innovation possible in today’s K–12 landscape.Produced in partnership with⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠edCircuit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CoSN is vendor-neutral and does not endorse products or services. Any mention of a specific solution is for contextual purposes. This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by CoSN and the edCircuit editorial team before publication.