| |
| June 9, 2026 |
| CONNECT WITH ISTE |
| CONNECT WITH ISTE |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| |
| Edtech news for those building the future of edtech
| SIGN UP ⋅ SHARE |
|
|
| |
 |
| (Fauzi Muda/Getty Images) |
The pushback on edtech and tighter edtech budgets are putting some edtech products in districts' crosshairs, say the Edunomics Lab's Marguerite Roza and Desert Sands Unified School District Superintendent Kelly May-Vollmar, who point to supplemental software, narrowly targeted interventions, products with low adoption or overlap, tools designed for the youngest learners and any that lack clear efficacy as ripe for elimination. Tools that are more likely to stay are deeply integrated into daily operations, such as student information systems, payroll and widely used curricula, as well as accessibility tools that support students with disabilities, Roza and May-Vollmar say.
|
|
SmartTake: ISTE's EdTech Index helps educators discover what certifications and other quality indicators various edtech programs have. The Teacher Ready Evaluation Tool helps teachers determine whether a tool will address their needs. Edtech developers can submit their products for consideration to earn the ISTE Seal. Check out Association News below for the latest products to be awarded the ISTE Seal.
|
|
|
|
|
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 |  |
|
 
|
SmartTake: Developers/vendors: Do you approach districts by sharing the features of a program or the problems it can solve? Do you provide proof of efficacy and classroom teacher testimonials illustrating its problem-solving ability?
|
|
| |
 |
| (Phiwath Jittamas/Getty Images) |
Illinois State University faculty members Kyung Mi Min, Ph.D. and Mikyung Shin, Ph.D., see AI as an instructional partner in special education, enhancing individualized instruction, curriculum accessibility and individualized education program development. However, they emphasize the need for ethical considerations, data literacy and transparency to ensure AI is used responsibly and equitably.
|
|
|
|
|
What makes education technology work in real classrooms? ENCORE, a sub-network of the AIMS Collaboratory, brings educators, researchers, and developers together to test and refine tools grounded in evidence and equity. Learn more |
|
|
|
| ADVERTISEMENT |  |
|
|
Six Miami-Dade County Public Schools have received funds through the Florida Power & Light Company STEM Classroom Makeover Grant program, which provides updated technology, robotics tools and classroom resources. The initiative helps schools create hands-on STEM learning environments designed to build student interest in science, engineering and technology careers. Educators say the improvements are increasing engagement and enthusiasm for STEM activities.
|
|
|
K-12 schools are facing mounting challenges with software-as-a-service solutions, as rising subscription costs, departmental overlap and lack of interoperability create operational headaches. Many districts now juggle dozens of recurring software subscriptions, often with little control over critical systems or insight into total costs. This can lead to financial strain and operational fragmentation, so adjusting the SaaS approach to long-term strategic planning, says Thomas Lawing, Ed.D., the chief operating officer for Fort Bend Independent School District in Texas.
|
|
|
|
The Federal Communications Commission is reviewing the E-rate program to ensure it meets Congress' vision for educational outcomes, but education groups are worried the review could end up cutting E-rate funds essential for school and library connectivity. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr says the focus will be on empowering parents, protecting children and improving program integrity.
|
|
|
|
The iSULAT pen, developed by researchers at the University of Santo Tomas, leverages AI to analyze handwriting, making it a pioneering AI-powered tool in neurodevelopmental assessment. The pen utilizes sensory technology to objectively evaluate writing patterns, pressure and strokes, offering a new standard in digital diagnostics. This innovation not only demonstrates the expanding role of AI in healthcare but also addresses the urgent need for accessible assessment methods.
|
|
|
|
Top stories from last week's newsletter
|
|
Congratulations to the newest ISTE Seal holders, Google Classroom, Be Internet Awesome by Google, and BrainPOP Jr.! The ISTE Seal provides third-party validation of an edtech product's alignment with digital pedagogy, technological usability, and the ISTE Standards. Learn more about the Seal and how these tools support student learning and educator development. |
|
|
| 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.
|
|
|
|
| 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! |
|
 |
|
| |
| The world, unfortunately, rarely matches our hopes and consistently refuses to behave in a reasonable manner. |
Stephen Jay Gould,
paleontologist, evolutionary biologist, writer |
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Copyright © 2026 SmartBrief. All Rights Reserved. A division of Future US LLC. |
| Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10036. |
|
|
|
