Forging Powerful Connections: Strategic Partnerships for K-12 Success

In today’s complex educational ecosystem, school districts are being asked to do more with less, while simultaneously leading innovation, navigating digital transformation, and addressing the ever-growing demands on IT systems and instructional technology. What if the key to scaling these efforts isn’t just about resources, but relationships?
This session explores how strategic partnerships between K-12 districts and solution providers can move beyond transactions to transformation. Co-presented by an active district technology leader and a former CTO who now leads partnerships at a national edtech firm, this interactive session offers both sides of the story—bridging practitioner experience with provider perspective.
Using real-world examples from school districts, participants will examine five strategies for building high-impact, mission-aligned partnerships that support innovation and student success:
Communication
Collaboration
Commitment to serving educators and students
Capital (human and financial)
Collective Trust

Attendees will engage in collaborative reflection and scenario-based discussion as they co-develop their own “playbook” for partnership success. This session is ideal for technology leaders, instructional leaders, and finance or operations staff who collaborate with providers to scale technology efforts, as well as those newer to district leadership looking to establish a framework for vendor relationships rooted in trust, data, and strategy.
Whether you’re building your vendor bench or already managing a complex ecosystem of partners, join us to strengthen your approach to partnerships and walk away with practical tools and conversation starters to implement before spring break.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Identify the key elements of a strategic partnership in the K-12 context

Apply five actionable strategies for fostering vendor relationships that center student and system outcomes

Use metrics and feedback loops to evaluate partnerships and pilot programs

Reflect on and improve their own district’s “partnership playbook”