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| March 10, 2026 |
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| Edtech news for those building the future of Edtech
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| (Demaerre/Getty Images) |
A Securly analysis of 1.2 million student interactions with generative AI in school found that 20% involved problematic behaviors, and 1 in 50 suggested involvement in violence -- but the flip side is that “[w]hen a district actually sets some guardrails and policies around their AI usage in schools, 80% of the conversations happening are within the district’s policies,” CEO Tammy Wincup says. Securly helps districts create their own guardrails and deflect student large language model queries that don't mesh with district policies -- for example, providing links to helpful information without offering a specific answer.
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SmartTake: For edtech developers, the Securly data shifts the narrative from if students will bypass guardrails to how they exploit them. The 20% of AI interactions that aren't acceptable point to most critics' major concern: 95% of students' queries deflected by Securly were attempts to have AI complete assignments for them. This underscores an urgent demand for tools that prioritize guided learning over simple answers -- a trend reflected in Digital Promise's recent push for AI infrastructure grounded in learning science.
It's also important to note that potentially unsafe AI interactions (2%) now appear five times more frequently than unsafe internet searches (0.4%), which is helping to drive a legislative wave mandating human-in-the-loop oversight.
For developers, the challenge is no longer just selling and setting up tech. They now need to address educators' demands for benchmarks and visibility that help educators "make not just great tech decisions but make great teaching and learning decisions," Wincup says. Jeremy Roschelle, the co-executive director of learning science research for Digital Promise puts it another way: "What we want to do is make sure [AI] is not just appropriate, but is actually valuable for student learning."
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We're excited to announce that Amplify Desmos Math for grades K–8 just earned the "all-green" evaluation from EdReports. Learn more about our program and what this means today. Go there now |
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| (Maria Garcia/Getty Images) |
School districts can avoid overestimating an edtech tool's return on investment by figuring in at least 12 associated costs -- such purchase price, professional learning, teacher time and salary, internet expenses, number of users and student growth -- and using this formula: ((benefits – costs) / costs) × 100 = ROI. This shows the true impact and allows for more informed decisions, David Maddock of the ROI Institute and Gene Kerns of Renaissance write.
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School districts are facing increased technology costs due to higher demand for hardware, which is driven by the expansion of data centers. Mifflinburg Area School District in Pennsylvania reports a 13.6% rise in Chromebook prices since last year and a 30% increase in server costs, with other districts experiencing similar challenges and some considering switching to Apple products as a cost-saving measure.
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AI has become a central tool for student homework in 2026, with 54% of teens using it for homework help and 10% relying on it for most or all assignments, data from the Pew Research Center shows. Students primarily turn to AI to research topics, solve math problems and edit written work, reflecting a shift away from traditional search engines, the report finds.
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If your team says PLCs feel confusing, time-consuming, or like "just another meeting," this framework is your reset. Learn the 6 steps behind high-impact PLCs and get free tools to help you refocus, realign, and reignite collaboration. |
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Red Deer Public Schools in Edmonton, Alberta, has introduced a data transparency platform on its website that consolidates previously scattered information, making it more accessible and contextual for parents and the public. The platform uses Univerus Baragar Systems' District Intelligence to show data on education quality, school finances, class sizes, literacy and student achievement.
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| (10'000 Hours/Getty Images) |
Students at McKinley Technology High School in Washington, D.C., share candid accounts of their experiences in career and technical education, emphasizing how facing setbacks has shaped their learning. Engineering student Xavier Brown recounted repeatedly recoding a trash bin prototype that failed to work as intended, noting that consistent failure is a normal part of the engineering process. Students also share how these hands-on CTE projects teach technical skills and also build resilience and confidence, preparing them for college and future careers.
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A proposed edtech sandbox would allow Utah schools to voluntarily pilot AI tools in a controlled, time-limited environment. This sandbox would provide an evidence-based framework for evaluating AI technologies in real classroom settings, ensuring that any adoption is supported by data on effectiveness and safety.
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Top stories from last week's newsletter
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Every edtech product claims to be "research-backed," but what evidence actually matters? New research from LXD Research reveals educators trust studies from contexts similar to their own classrooms--not generic research claims. Learn how to decode certification badges, validation labels, and research evidence to quickly identify tools with genuine impact in settings like yours, saving time and improving student outcomes. |
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| About ISTE Solutions Network |
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| The Solutions Network a member-based community that aims to 1) connect innovative solution providers to one another to learn, explore, and share best practices, 2) engage with the ISTE/ASCD member community to gather feedback and increase the impact of high-quality learning solutions, 3) engage in thought leadership conversations and 4) provide benefits for the annual ASCD + ISTE conference, where approximately 16,000 educators, decision-makers, and vendors convene. This community is made up of edtech companies of various sizes that are interested in engaging with each other and with ISTE to discuss Edtech’s role in teaching and learning, industry trends, and solve common challenges. Members of this network can benefit from connecting with industry experts and thought leaders, as well as from gaining key buyer information and insights.
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| Product announcements appearing in SmartBrief are paid advertisements and do not reflect actual ASCD + ISTE endorsements. The news reported in SmartBrief does not necessarily reflect the official position of ASCD + ISTE.
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| Painting a portrait is a concentration on one particular person and no one else will do. |
Elaine de Kooning,
painter
March is Women's History Month |
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