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| April 7, 2026 |
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| (Artur/Getty Images) |
More than 10 million students could be eligible to receive part of the PowerSchool Naviance $17.25 million class action settlement, which was reached in February. A Chicago Public Schools student initially alleged the college and career readiness platform and its partners unlawfully intercepted sensitive student data without consent. Districts will likely be faced with questions from parents and the community about their use of Naviance and other edtech tools, as the case reflects a broader trend of companies facing legal accountability for failing to protect student data privacy.
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SmartTake: "Intercepting" appears to be the key factor in this lawsuit, signaling a shift in liability from passive data breaches to the active use of third-party tracking scripts and session replay tools that capture real-time student interactions. Developers should adopt a privacy-first design ethos, ensuring that a product's function does not rely on sending unvetted, identifiable information to third-party analytics companies. Edtech companies would be wise to audit all third parties as part of a mission-driven commitment to protecting student activity data as carefully as their educational data.
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Learning gaps are growing—but there's help. On April 30 at 2PM EST, hear from experts who share real-world tactics for data-driven instruction, differentiated support, and tiered interventions that help every student succeed. Register today!
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In a discussion on deeper learning, Rick Hess and Jal Mehta explore the potential and challenges of integrating AI in education. Mehta highlights that the most profound learning often occurs in arts and extracurricular activities, where students are deeply engaged and coached. Hess expresses skepticism about AI's ability to foster such environments, noting that past classroom technologies have fallen short. Both agree that while AI can offer new possibilities, it should not replace the essential hands-on learning and mentorship that are crucial for student development.
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| (Irene Puzankova/Getty Images) |
Tighter budgets and growing concerns over screen time are leading school districts to thoroughly reassess of their edtech stacks. Rather than continually adding new digital tools, districts like Community Consolidated School District 15 in Illinois are using structured conversations with parents, teachers and administrators to define clear expectations for technology use and evaluate tools based on instructional priorities and measurable outcomes. "We're seeing a shift from 'Does this look cool?' to 'Does this work?'" Erin Mote, CEO of InnovateEDU, says. "Districts have less money now; they have to be smarter."
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The New York Times asked students whether they were experiencing too much screen time in school, and the majority replied that technology has become permanently ingrained in classrooms. While teenagers told the newspaper that they appreciate the efficiency and organization of digital tools, they called for a more intentional balance to combat eye strain, constant distractions and the loss of hands-on learning.
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Six Palm Beach County schools received $50,000 STEM grants, enabling them to redesign their classrooms with hands-on technology like robots, drones and 3D printers. The grants are part of a statewide initiative to provide students with more opportunities to engage in STEM learning and to prepare them for high-demand careers.
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| (Mariyariya/Getty Images) |
AI tutors have shown mixed results in education, with some studies indicating that students rely too heavily on them, leading to poor material retention. However, a recent study by the University of Pennsylvania demonstrated that personalizing the sequence of practice problems based on student performance can significantly enhance learning outcomes.
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The debate over artificial intelligence in schools often lacks practical insight from teachers, with many speaking in vague terms like "agency" and "literacy," James O'Hagan writes in the Chalkdust & Silicon blog. He notes two types of AI prompt -- the kind that seeks quick answers and another that involves genuine cognitive effort -- and says that, too often, the debate treats all prompting as "literacy."
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| (Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images) |
Most parents and teens responding to a Common Sense Media survey say they their voices are not heard in policymaking, with parents concerned about financial stability and mental health, while students are more optimistic about their future. Common Sense Media suggests that schools involve students in policy development, especially regarding artificial intelligence.
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Damian Creamer, CEO of StrongMind, disagrees with the education sector's rush to add AI chatbots to existing platforms, calling them surface-level features that don't address the core challenges of personalized learning. Tech Times reporter Carl Williams writes that Creamer views chatbots as something that can simulate responsiveness but that lack the deep, persistent understanding students need for meaningful personalization. True educational innovation comes from embedding intelligence into a platform's foundation rather than layering on superficial AI solutions, Creamer reportedly says.
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Top stories from last week's newsletter
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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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