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| September 1, 2026 |
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| Edtech news for those building the future of edtech
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| (Data in Malware Bytes article) |
A recent investigation shows that many widely used K–12 edtech programs are gathering student data without explicit authorization and sharing it with third-party companies. In the Utah investigation, 52% of 85 tested apps that featured relevant data privacy agreements " reportedly collected at least one student-data element that was not permitted under the agreement," and 61% of all the apps shared data with third parties, while 36% sent data to advertisers, Malware intelligence researcher Pieter Arntz writes. "Contractual promises are not always reflected in how an app behaves. An app can include third-party analytics software, advertising-related services or other embedded components that send information elsewhere without the school or district having a clear view of those transfers," Arntz notes. This discovery has led to a new state law that allows for more frequent audits and better contract management to enhance student privacy, and several edtech companies have agreed to fix the issues identified. |
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| (Krittamet Saehan/Getty Images) |
US K-12 schools are expected to double their edtech spending to $60 billion by 2033, but the success of these investments depends heavily on professional development for educators, writes Janice Mertes, a senior manager at CDW. States such as North Carolina and Utah are leading in this area by building AI training infrastructure and frameworks. "Purposeful purchasing must start with purposeful planning," Mertes writes. "If a technology investment isn't producing a return on learning, the problem usually isn't the technology."
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| (Ariel Skelley/Getty Images) |
Pilot programs are essential for K-12 schools to test new technology before full-scale adoption, says Kris Astle of SMART Technologies. These programs help identify potential issues, gather feedback from teachers and create early advocates for the technology. A successful pilot program should have a clear goal, a defined timeline and a diverse test group, says Robin Munsell of IXL.
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Bill Gates has warned that AI could lead to significant challenges in education and student well-being, potentially resulting in reduced critical thinking and social interaction. In a recent GatesNotes post, Gates highlighted the risk of AI becoming addictive and isolating, as well as its potential to eliminate entry-level jobs. However, he also noted AI's potential to improve teaching efficiency and learning outcomes.
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The landscape of AI in K-12 schools varies significantly by age group, writes Eric Hudson, who shares 28 observations about the state of AI in schools in his "Learning on Purpose" Substack page. Elementary educators worry about AI appearing in toys, games and apps, while high school teachers focus on academic uses like chatbots and homework assistance. Middle-schoolers tend to learn about AI through hands-on experiences, whereas high-schoolers trade tips among peers. Hudson says these differences mean that effective AI education and policy can't be a one-size-fits-all approach but must be tailored to the distinct realities and exposures students face at each stage.
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The Philadelphia school district has faced criticism from the city controller's office for insufficient accountability of capital assets, with more than 60% of tested assets unrecorded and unlocatable. This issue has been exacerbated by the influx of federal stimulus funds during the pandemic, leading to a surge in purchases without adequate inventory management. The district's decentralized approach to asset tracking has contributed to this problem, prompting recommendations for better tracking systems and policies.
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Dive into 'Disruption: Learning' for insights on educational shifts, challenges, and opportunities. Gain inspiration for learning interventions and teacher development. Enhance literacy and career education strategies. Download Now. |
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New York City principals are worried about the lack of access to essential software for the upcoming school year due to a purchasing freeze prompted by backlash to the city's initial AI policy. The freeze, intended to allow time for new guidelines, has left schools unable to renew subscriptions for programs such as electronic gradebooks and digital hall passes.
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Join us on Sept 3 for an interactive live webinar exploring AI integration in education with a focus on vital governance. The conversation will be kicked off by Kanoe Namahoe, SmartBrief's Editorial Director, and moderated by Jess Steinbach, Head of Custom Solutions at FutureB2B. Gain insights and strategies to effectively integrate. Register today! |
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Progress Report, a Houston-developed K-12 learning-intelligence platform, aims to help teachers and parents identify both when and why students struggle, and it's in the midst of a pilot program with more than 200 students and 35 educators in Arizona and Texas. Designed to fill gaps in existing edtech, the platform traces student performance to underlying learning gaps and prerequisite skills. It supports individualized instruction for general, special education and bilingual students, and integrates data from IEPs and other educational records to create a comprehensive view of each learner.
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Whether you're launching a PLC or refining one already in place, ask yourself: Is my PLC moving the needle? This guide covers the 5 traits of high-impact PLCs, a 3-step framework to build and sustain one, and real district examples you can model. |
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Top stories from last week's newsletter
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Two guests look past the classroom to find where artificial intelligence quietly adds up. One traces the cost of AI to the assignment page, the other to the electricity bill. Together they raise a question few schools have fully worked through, what an AI-first future actually costs, and who ends up paying for it.
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Congratulations to the newest ISTE Seal holder, ANTON! 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 https://iste.org/seal. |
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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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John McEnroe,
professional tennis player, tennis commentator |
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