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| January 13, 2026 |
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| Edtech news for those building the future of Edtech
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Utah lawmakers, supported by Gov. Spencer Cox, have introduced the Software Accountability for Education Act and the Balance Act to aggressively reduce the use of technology in K-12 classrooms. These bills would establish strict safety and accountability benchmarks for edtech and mandate a significant reduction in screen time, especially for kindergarten through third-grade students, to prioritize analog-first teaching. First lady Abby Cox and the governor blame early technology use, at home and at school, as one of the main reasons third-grade reading levels aren't increasing. "We have to be honest with ourselves: Technology exposure is not technology education,” state Rep. Doug Fiefia says. "We’ve allowed engagement to become a substitute for education." The conservative Child First Policy Center helped draft the legislation, and Policy and Research Director Melissa McKay is eyeing adoption in other states if Utah passes the bills.
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There's a time-tested, empirically validated teaching framework that is proven to increase student achievement when implemented with fidelity: the SIOP ® Model. Learn more at an in-person workshop, virtual event, online course, or other professional learning session. Discover SIOP®. |
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AI has moved from a novelty to more of a staple in schools -- partly because the tech is now baked into edtech tools -- with teacher usage almost doubling to 61% since 2023 (about one-third say they use AI "a little" to "a lot") and with half of teachers taking at least one professional development course on AI last year, according to EdWeek Research Center data. However, experts say success depends on whether districts provide the in-depth training needed to improve learning rather than just speed up chores. "If we don’t provide teachers with the professional learning to be discerning, confident users, we risk an environment where only some educators benefit from the efficiencies of AI, while others are left behind due to a lack of guidance and/or infrastructure," Carolyne Quintana, CEO of Teaching Matters, says.
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"I want to understand what's behind that 21% who aren't planning to use AI. Is it access? Philosophy? Grade level? Those answers matter -- because they should shape how we design professional learning and support."
-- Jessica Garner, ISTE+ASCD senior director of innovative learning, referring to another data point from the study
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Technology that fosters active learning with a distinct purpose deserves priority in school policies and will promote digital wellness, says Matthew Joseph, assistant superintendent of technology and learning in New Bedford, Mass., speaking at the Future of Education Technology Conference. Joseph advocates for a shift in discussions from the amount of technology used to its instructional purpose, suggesting that government intervention could aid in mindful procurement of educational technology.
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Karl Johnson, a professor at the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, and Stan Winborne, the superintendent of Granville County (N.C.) Public Schools, argue that the edtech debate focuses too heavily on efficiency and "means" -- faster, easier, scalable -- rather than the purpose, or "ends," of education. They caution that because education is a formative process requiring "real work," over-reliance on technology like AI results in shortcuts that bypass the efforts necessary for intellectual and character development. "For every six hours we talk about the role of technology in education, perhaps it’s best to spend the first four figuring out what the heck education is even for," they write, with a nod toward an old Abraham Lincoln quote.
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The partnership between Carnegie Mellon University and the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit is providing Beaver County, Penn., teachers with access to cutting-edge AI research and training. Teachers from nearly every district in the county are participating, with CMU experts guiding sessions on AI integration, policy development, and practical classroom applications. The collaboration is helping to bridge resource gaps for rural schools by pooling expertise and offering high-quality professional development opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible.
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| (Ekaterina79/Getty Images) |
Students at Claysburg-Kimmel Elementary in Pennsylvania are preparing for the First Lego League competition by building Lego robots and developing a research presentation. The program, led by STEAM teacher Suzanne Wicker and computer teacher Brandon Ickes, teaches students STEM skills, problem-solving and teamwork. Principal Kevin Edmondson emphasizes the importance of 21st-century skills, noting that the program helps students realize their capabilities and build confidence.
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Some aspects of Alpha, an AI-focused private school model, could be replicable in public education, writes public school reporter Chad Aldeman, noting specific technology components, mastery approaches and motivational techniques. Alpha's network is expanding into public charter schools, and its AI-based program encourages students to complete core academic work in just two hours per day while achieving significant growth in test scores, according to results from its main campus in Austin, Texas.
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| (Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images) |
New Jersey has enacted a law that will require K-12 schools to limit student cellphone use during instructional hours, beginning with the 2026-27 school year. The legislation mandates age-appropriate guidelines and allows some exceptions, including for medical needs. In recent months, the state has awarded grants to districts that have committed to bell-to-bell phone-free policies, and the state's Commission on the Effects of Social Media Usage on Adolescents has recommended school cellphone bans.
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Ohio has introduced a model AI policy for public schools, addressing concerns such as academic integrity and data privacy. The policy is designed to function as a template that districts can tailor to their needs, and Chris Woolard of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce says it's adaptable to evolving technology.
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Top stories from last week's newsletter
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Congratulations to the newest ISTE Seal holders: FS4 Kids by IBEC and Singapore Student Learning Space by the Singapore Ministry of Education! The ISTE Seal provides third-party validation of an edtech product's alignment with digital pedagogy, technological usability, and the ISTE Standards. To learn more about the Seal and how these tools support student learning and educator development, visit the ISTE Seal webpage. |
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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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| I tend to think of death as the last and best reward for a life well-lived. That's it. |
Bob Weir,
guitarist, songwriter
1947-2026 |
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