Outcomes-based contracts feature shared accountability

[ISTE Solutions Network SmartBrief]

Plus: ISTE unveils profile for AI-ready graduates | What teachers want from math curricula | Jobs Created for learning.resear...@gmail.com | Web Version   July 7, 2026 CONNECT WITH ISTE  CONNECT WITH ISTE    Edtech news for those building the future of edtech SIGN UP ⋅   SHARE ADVERTISEMENT Fresh Intel (Mohd Izzuan/Getty Images) Outcomes-based contracts feature shared accountability Outcomes-based contracts are gaining traction in the edtech industry as school districts face tighter budgets and demand greater accountability. In an opinion piece, Coursemojo co-founder and co-CEO Dacia Toll notes that this model ties at least 40% of vendor payment to measurable outcomes, such as student growth, and requires districts to support implementation through professional development and regular product use. Full Story: District Administration (7/6) SmartTake: Regular data discussions between schools and vendors allow for adjustments on both sides. And the outcomes-based contract motivates vendors to respond proactively to challenges in product usage or effectiveness, Toll writes. "When both sides are accountable, conversations change. Data becomes a tool for improvement. Challenges surface earlier, and adjustments happen faster." -- Dacia Toll, co-founder and co-CEO, Coursemojo AI in Education: A Blueprint for Future AI has brought education to a critical inflection point. We are no longer just reacting to new technology; we are actively challenging traditional models of teaching, reimagining assessment, and rethinking teacher training. Download the Ebook Now ADVERTISEMENT   Scanning the News ISTE unveils profile for AI-ready graduates   (Armand Burger/Getty Images) ISTE unveils profile for AI-ready graduates ISTE has released the Profile of an AI-Ready Graduate, outlining six roles -- learner, researcher, synthesizer, problem-solver, connector and storyteller -- that students should master to thrive in an AI-driven workforce. The profile, introduced at ISTELive 26, aims to bridge the gap between AI literacy and practical workforce skills, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking, collaboration and storytelling. Full Story: EdTech Magazine (7/6) Balance tech with fundamentals to maximize cognitive growth Speakers at ISTELive 26 in Orlando, Fla., emphasized the importance of balancing digital tools with foundational learning for effective learning. Amanda Bollinger from the Jordan School District highlighted the cognitive benefits of handwriting and the need for strong foundational skills before integrating technology. "The overall implication of all of this is that digital literacy must be balanced with foundational tactile learning to maximize cognitive potential," Bollinger said. Full Story: EdTech Magazine (7/2) Teachers, UNESCO work on school AI guidance that will become toolkits EdTech Innovation Hub (7/7) In the Schools (Burbio School Tracker data from 12 months prior to March 31, 2025, and March 31, 2026. Chart designed by SmartBrief editors via Gemini AI.) Data dive for vendors: Today's Burbio newsletter shows the tracking results of some keywords used in school board meetings for the 12 months prior to March 31 in 2025 and 2026, sharing some of the phrases that had a significant uptick, such as college and career readiness and mental health. Is your product or sales pitch in line with what school boards are talking about? Teachers seek more practice problems in math curricula Math core curriculum often doesn't provide enough practice problems or differentiation to support students at varying skill levels, teachers like Colorado's Dylan Kane say. The average teacher turns to five supplemental resources, which they often have to create themselves, a Rand study notes -- and the problem is more acute when separate intervention materials don't align with the core approach. Several nonprofits are trying to help, but teachers want the publishers of the core curricula to provide the additional support instead. "I should be able to click one button and say, 'Can you give me 10 more problems so I can get students a little more confident and reach a higher success rate before we move on?'" -- Dylan Kane, seventh-grade math teacher, Colorado Full Story: Education Week (7/1) More students with disabilities join general education The number of students with disabilities spending at least 40% of their day in general education classrooms has increased by 25% from 2012-2013 to 2023-2024, according to the Government Accountability Office. Students with specific learning disabilities drive the growth, while students with deafblindness spend the least time in general education. The report also notes challenges, such as resource availability and staffing shortages, and highlights the need for greater support to maintain inclusive education. Full Story: K-12 Dive (7/6) AI-powered image activities spark student analysis   (J Studios/Getty Images) AI-powered image activities spark student analysis Educator Matt Miller advocates for integrating AI into daily lessons to enhance student AI literacy. Miller shares his experience using AI tools to generate images from vocabulary words, prompting students to describe and analyze the images, including identifying any "AI weirdness." This approach not only helps students recognize AI-generated content but also demonstrates positive AI use in a professional setting, countering the stigma that equates AI with cheating. Full Story: SmartBrief/Education (6/30) Technology Policies Edtech groups oppose possible end of FCC's E-rate program Edtech leaders and digital-divide experts are raising concerns after the Federal Communications Commission issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that suggests ending the E-rate program. E-rate, established in 1996, funds broadband for schools and libraries. Groups such as the Consortium for School Networking, the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition and the American Library Association argue that ongoing maintenance and cybersecurity needs justify the program's continuation. Full Story: Government Technology (6/30) Calif. bill seeks K-2 math assessments for early intervention A California state senator is proposing mandatory early math assessments in kindergarten through second grade to identify foundational math difficulties so teachers can address them before learning gaps widen. While the idea is based on the state's approach to early literacy screening, some educators are concerned about the lack of dedicated funding for intervention and the additional burden on teachers. Full Story: Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model) (7/1) Companies in the News Scholar pairs psychologists, AI for faster special ed evaluations Tampa Bay Business & Wealth (St. Petersburg, Fla.) (7/2026) ETS acquires ACT as standardized testing returns Higher Ed Dive (6/30) Xueersi debuts AI system, tablets designed for personalized tutoring China Daily (Beijing) (7/6) ICYMI Top stories from last week's newsletter End "techlash" with focus on quality, purpose, trust Education Week (6/25) EdTech vendors face growing cyberthreats targeting schools Dark Reading (6/25) EdTech Jobs Head of Sales, Cheng & Tsui Sales Development Representative, Goalbook Sr. Software Developer, Aeries Find more edtech jobs on the EdSurge Jobs Board. Association News ESSA IV Design Badges: Understanding the Blueprint Behind EdTech Tools When you're browsing the EdTech Index and see a product with multiple validation badges, you might wonder: What's the difference between all these certifications? Dive deeper into one specific type of validation that often gets overlooked but provides crucial information: design badges. LEARN MORE ABOUT ISTE: Solutions Network | Edtech Index | ISTE Seal Product Evaluation  | Edtech Product Selection Guides 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. Disclaimer 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. Got this from a friend? Subscribe now and stay in the loop! Sign Up People who deny the existence of dragons are often eaten by dragons. From within. Ursula K. Le Guin, writer Follow SmartBrief Contact Us: Feedback | Advertise Sign Up | Update Profile | Advertise with SmartBrief Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy Copyright © 2026 SmartBrief. All Rights Reserved. A division of Future US LLC. 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