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| May 26, 2026 |
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| Edtech news for those building the future of edtech
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Cybersecurity is the top concern again for school district technology leaders, according to the Consortium for School Networking's annual State of EdTech report. The report shows a significant increase in attention to generative AI, as nearly 80% of districts have established AI guidelines. Vetting has risen in importance, with 86% of districts reviewing free tools before classroom use, but more than two-thirds of respondents report insufficient cybersecurity staff. A lack of resources, infrastructure and budget constraints are the main challenges to technology-enabled learning. |
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SmartTake: EdTech vendors should already be prepared for school districts to tighten their procurement processes, as 86% are now vetting free software and a majority are requiring formal IT approval before tools enter the classroom. As schools continue to grapple with best practices for edtech purchases, expect compatibility to become a requirement rather than a benefit; districts will increasingly include data integration and interoperability as part of their purchasing guidelines. The same goes for inclusiveness in edtech. Budgets, which have retreated after their pandemic pop, continue to constrain school districts' goals. Vendors who proactively prove their tools are secure, accessible and easily integrated will hold a major competitive advantage.
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Cyber threats are rising and strong cyber leaders are needed. At USD, our 100% online MS in Cyber Security Operations and Leadership helps you elevate your skills while offering the flexibility to fit your schedule. Apply by 7/6 for an application fee waiver. |
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Experts are encouraging teachers to integrate AI literacy into existing curricula -- such as using language arts lessons to explore the credibility of information sources -- rather than treating the technology as a separate subject. Jessica Garner of ISTE+ASCD and Yvette Renteria of Common Sense Media emphasize the importance of understanding AI's functionality and the necessity for students to recognize that chatbots are not human. Garner suggests offline integration for younger children, and Renteria recommends that teachers remain central to the lessons, using AI as a tool to enhance learning experiences and foster critical thinking.
SmartTake: Developers and vendors need to be aware of this shift in instructional approach when creating or updating products or discussing them with school districts.
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The question is no longer if education will transform with new technologies, but whether that transformation will advance equity for every learner. Explore the newest evidence, tools, and research from ENCORE, a sub-network of AIMS Collaboratory. |
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K-12 IT leaders are facing unprecedented challenges in device procurement due to the global surge in demand for AI infrastructure, which has led to higher costs and longer lead times for devices. Districts are responding by purchasing earlier to lock in prices; leasing or using deferred payment plans; considering shared device models; and extending the life of existing devices.
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Special education teachers are increasingly using AI to manage paperwork, including individualized education programs, to spend more time with students. A survey by the Center for Democracy and Technology found 57% of special education teachers used AI for individualized education programs in the 2024-25 school year, up from 39% the previous year.
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| (Nerthuz/Getty Images) |
North Dakota is integrating virtual reality into classrooms to help students explore career opportunities without the need for travel, especially given the state's rural nature. The initiative, funded by state legislation, aims to boost local employment by introducing students to various professions early on.
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Teachers across the US say students are using AI in variety of different ways, from having AI help them master the past tense in Spanish to creating a digital mirror to improve descriptive writing. Casey Cuny, a former California Teacher of the Year, recalls one student who realized he learned better by listening, turned his economics notes into a podcast using NotebookLM, listened to that while working out at the gym -- and aced his next test.
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Educators get frustrated when a PLC struggles with weak goals, incomplete data, irregular monitoring and group disparity. A high-efficiency PLC that uses reliable data can create meaningful improvement. Read this SmartFocus to create a productive PLC. |
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Iowa's Make America Healthy Again law, signed Wednesday by Gov. Kim Reynolds, sets a statewide cap of 60 minutes per day of one-to-one device time for K-5 students, with exceptions for special education plans, assessments and teacher-led shared-screen activities. The law also removes certain food dyes from school lunches and increases physical activity requirements. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has warned of potential "addiction-like behavior" from excessive screen time, attended the signing, which came the same week as the US Surgeon General's recommendation that schools limit students' screen time and institute bell-to-bell cellphone bans.
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For experienced educators, Kumon ownership offers a strategic next step. Apply your expertise in student success within a proven framework that provides more autonomy and long-term impact than traditional school administration can offer. |
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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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| It doesn't matter how precisely the onion is cut as long as the person chewing it is happy. |
Padma Lakshmi,
food critic, writer, television host, producer
May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month |
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