USED Releases Guidance on Ed Tech in Schools and Annual Update on FERPA and PPRA

Ed Tech Update: Last week, USED released non-binding guidance on Responsible Use of Education Technology in the Classroom. A review of the guidance finds it to be measured, consistent with current practice and not likely to be of major consequence to schools. Non-binding guidance means it is a resource that can be taken under consideration but for which there is no mechanism of enforcement. The guidance encourages SEAs, LEAs, educators, families, and education technology providers to take a more intentional, evidence-based approach to technology use in classrooms. The guidance emphasizes that technology decisions should prioritize instructional value and student learning outcomes rather than recreational engagement or simply increasing screen time. It calls on districts to select tools with demonstrated effectiveness, regularly evaluate their impact, provide educator training, and ensure transparency around how technology is used and how student data is handled. The guidance encourages providers to minimize unnecessary screen time and build tools that strengthen instruction and are supported by evidence. Importantly, the guidance suggests that schools should be willing to discontinue technology tools that do not demonstrate meaningful benefits for student learning. For school leaders, the guidance offers five key questions to consider: What learning problem does the tool solve, when and for whom should it be used, for how long, and what evidence shows that it improves student learning? The guidance appropriately affirms that these decisions are the purview of state and local education agencies, and that not all screen time is created equal.