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| February 10, 2026 |
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"Once student data enters AI training pipelines, it becomes functionally irretrievable."
The integration of AI into educational technology has increased the risks associated with compromised student data from breaches. "[N]o technical or legal mechanism exists to enforce data deletion once information has propagated beyond the original breach point," writes Danai Nhando, an international human rights lawyer, public interest technologist and AI governance expert. An edtech company or school system may have to pay damages, or a hacker may have to delete data, but companies that include personal information in AI training datasets make students ripe for lifelong leaks and large-scale identity fraud. Nhando advocates for mandatory security-by-default standards, which she outlines.
SmartTake: Weaving through this article's criticisms of edtech's "surveillance infrastructure," the concerns about children's data used for AI training are real. Edtech developers can be part of the solution, teaming up to find ways to better safeguard student data and keep personal details out of training datasets. If you already avoid this, make sure your current and future clients know it. Consider implementing security checks as part of a final sale or onboarding, explaining the importance of multifactor authentication, 360-degree encryption and independent security audits. Put your interest in students first by ensuring their data is safe.
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Teachers are increasingly overwhelmed by the number of apps and tools they are expected to use, leading to frustration and burnout, writes high-school teacher and writer Andrew Simmons. While technology has the potential to streamline tasks, it often adds to teachers' workload because decisions about what to use are made by administrators, not teachers, Simmons writes.
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A report from the Center for Applied Research in Education at the University of Southern California indicates that nearly 80% of teens attend schools with "no cellphone" policies, but that students continue to use their devices for nonacademic purposes. Bans differ in scope, with about half of students reporting total restrictions throughout the school day and another 40% experiencing limits only during instructional time.
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School and edtech company representatives at the recent TCEA 2026 conference talked about device management, E-rate funding, network as a service, IT talent shortages and several other topics featured in this roundup. Texas school district tech executive Laura Browder told an audience that technology is most successful when "it's just working behind the scenes."
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Integrating coding into language learning can enhance student engagement and proficiency, writes educator Rachelle Dene Poth. Poth shares how tools such as Delightex and Elementari can be used to create interactive stories in Spanish, making language learning more meaningful and enjoyable.
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Educator and author Marlon Styles Jr. emphasizes the importance of purpose-driven technology integration in education, saying that technology should enhance the classroom experience rather than lead initiatives. Styles also advocates for diverse expertise in decision-making, moving away from relying on the same inner circles, and introduces the concept of "agentic AI," which involves using AI as a strategic partner rather than merely a productivity tool.
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K-12 schools are struggling to meet new federal accessibility rules for web content and mobile apps, with only 14% of districts nearing compliance, according to a National School Public Relations Association survey. The rules, which begin enforcement in April, require adherence to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines to ensure digital content is accessible to individuals with disabilities. Major barriers for schools include a lack of staff awareness and expertise.
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Microsoft is investigating an issue in Exchange Online that began Feb. 5 and is causing legitimate emails to be flagged as phishing and quarantined. The problem stems from a new URL rule intended to identify sophisticated spam and phishing messages. Microsoft is working to resolve the issue.
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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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| 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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| Now is the accepted time, not tomorrow, not some more convenient season. It is today that our best work can be done. |
W. E. B. Du Bois,
sociologist, historian, civil rights activist, writer, editor
February is Black History Month |
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