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| November 4, 2025 |
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| Edtech news for those building the future of Edtech
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The lack of standardized, transferable data systems in K-12 education disrupts services and jeopardizes learning progress, especially for students with disabilities in military families who change schools frequently, a panel of industry leaders and advocates said. Recent federal policy shifts and funding uncertainties add to the complexity, underscoring the importance of improving data interoperability.
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SmartTake: In 2022-23, 15% of public school students -- 7.5 million -- received special education or similar services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. That was more than two years ago, and long COVID has adding to that number. States and districts may have to increase their share of funding, even as the number of students with special needs rises and the federal government participates less.
This leaves edtech developers in the driver's seat to help this growing segment of students. Do your programs have adaptations for students with special needs? Are you working on a version of your program designed especially for students with special needs? Does your mainstream K-12 program or dedicated IEP program work seamlessly with schools' other software/platforms? Is the data transferable to other schools or states if the student moves? Food for thought: The Center for Reinventing Public Education offers ideas on how schools can change the way they work with students who have special needs. Does that spark any ideas on ways to approach the issue?
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Join Learning Commons' research program and help us build AI infrastructure that better supports teaching and learning in classrooms. Join now |
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Artificial intelligence plays a key role in Donnie Piercey's classroom, where it is used to spark curiosity, streamline lesson planning, and personalize student learning experiences. Piercey views AI not as an add-on, but as an essential tool that simplifies teachers' workloads and fosters deeper student engagement. By leveraging AI for both practical and creative purposes, he encourages educators to use the technology in ways that amplify student voice and creativity, always keeping learners, not the tech, at the forefront.
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Utah State University assistant professors Tye Campbell and Qi Si are studying the math and literacy teaching practices of eight exceptional fourth-grade teachers in Utah, and they will share the most effective strategies with all of the state's teachers. Daily spiral math reviews and systematic use of daily data to tailor small-group interventions are among the teachers' most effective practices.
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Designed by educators for educators: our research-based professional learning combines in-person, virtual, and asynchronous instruction to empower leaders and teachers with practical strategies that build capacity and drive lasting improvement. View our programs. |
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The integration of AI in classrooms is raising concerns in Texas about widening the literacy gap, particularly for low-income students who rely on mobile devices for assignments. Texas ranks 43rd in per-pupil funding, and the Texas Education Agency lacks data on early-grade student progress, which hinders early intervention.
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AI is being used by educators in North Dakota to streamline tasks such as lesson planning and grading, allowing for more focus on student engagement. Connor Fitzgerald, an English teacher at Milnor Public Schools, and Jeff Fastnacht, superintendent of Bismarck Public Schools, say AI is a helpful tool, not a replacement for teachers.
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The Tucson Unified School District in Arizona has developed an AI policy that applies to all staff, not just teachers and students. Tracey Metcalfe Rowley, the district's senior director of educational technology, formed a task force with representatives from various departments to create the policy, which emphasizes responsible and ethical AI use, and professional development is provided to all staff.
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Top stories from last week's newsletter
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Looking to demonstrate your edtech solution's commitment to quality and research-backed effectiveness? The ISTE Seal is education's trusted mark of excellence, verifying that digital tools meet rigorous standards for classroom readiness and impact. Earning the ISTE Seal helps you build confidence with schools and districts seeking evidence-based solutions for future-ready learning. Note: The ISTE Seal program also accepts applications for creativity tools. If your digital product empowers students and educators to generate ideas, express themselves, and innovate, we want to hear from you. Join the growing community of ISTE Seal-certified solutions making a difference in education. Ready to begin? Contact our team to learn more about the ISTE Seal application process. |
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| About ISTE Solutions Network |
| 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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Chief Seattle,
Suquamish and Duwamish chief
November is Native American Heritage Month |
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