Navigating the Edtech Vetting Landscape: A Guide for Educators and Policymakers

Overview

The integration of digital tools in classrooms has sparked a heated debate. While many celebrate the potential of education technology (edtech) to enhance learning, a growing chorus of parents and teachers is raising red flags about excessive screen time. Initially, the focus was on banning cellphones during school hours. However, attention is now shifting to school-issued devices like Chromebooks and the software running on them. Vetting processes for these digital products are increasingly under scrutiny, as critics argue that current practices rely too heavily on vendor self-reporting rather than independent verification. Kim Whitman, co-lead of Smartphone Free Childhood US, has pointed out that without proper oversight, students may simply migrate their distractions from personal phones to school laptops. This concern has prompted legislative action in three states—Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont—each proposing new frameworks for evaluating edtech products. This guide will walk you through the background, key proposals, and practical steps to engage with or implement more robust edtech vetting.

Prerequisites

Before diving into the specifics of edtech vetting, ensure you have a basic understanding of the following:

• School technology procurement processes – how districts typically choose software and devices.
• Privacy and data laws (e.g., FERPA, COPPA) that govern student information.
• Common edtech features like AI, geotracking, and targeted advertising.
• Legislative terminology – bills, amendments, and certification standards.

If you are an educator, parent, or policymaker, this guide will help you assess current vetting gaps and advocate for better practices.

Step-by-Step Guide to Understanding and Acting on Edtech Vetting Concerns

Step 1: Recognize the Screen Time and Vetting Problem

Screen time concerns in schools have traditionally focused on personal devices like cellphones. Yet, as Whitman notes, “when students do not have cellphones, they can still message with friends on their Chromebooks, or through tools like Google Docs.” This means that district-issued devices can also contribute to digital distraction and potential privacy risks. The core issue is that the vetting process for educational software is often cursory. Most districts rely on vendors’ own claims about safety, efficacy, and legality. Whitman calls this a conflict of interest, comparing it to “nicotine companies vetting their own cigarettes.” Understanding this fundamental flaw is the first step toward change.

Step 2: Explore the Three State Proposals

In early 2024, Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont simultaneously introduced legislation to revamp their edtech vetting processes. Each bill aims to create independent verification mechanisms, though they differ in scope:

• Rhode Island – Proposed a certification system requiring third-party review of data privacy and curriculum alignment.
• Utah – Focused on a statewide registry of approved edtech products, with periodic re-evaluation.
• Vermont – The most detailed proposal, which has already passed the House. It mandates annual registration, a fee, and a certification standard set by the Secretary of State in collaboration with the state education agency.

This guide will use Vermont as a case study for deeper analysis, but note that all three states are moving in a similar direction.

Step 3: Analyze the Vermont Bill in Detail

The Vermont bill, titled “An act relating to educational technology products,” offers a concrete framework. Key points include:

1. Registration requirement – All providers of student-facing educational technology must register annually with the Secretary of State, paying a $100 fee.
2. Submitted documents – Providers must supply their latest terms and conditions and privacy policy.
3. Review process – The Secretary of State, with the Vermont Agency of Education, will review registrations against criteria:
• Compliance with state curriculum standards
• Advantages over non-digital alternatives
• Explicit design for educational purposes
• Design features, including AI, geotracking, and targeted advertising
4. Penalties – Initially, unregistered providers faced fines of $50 per day up to $10,000, but this language was removed before the House passed the bill. The current version awaits Senate action.

This bill represents a shift from self-regulation to state oversight, although it stops short of heavy enforcement.

Step 4: Implement Best Practices for Your District or Advocacy

Whether you are a district leader or a concerned parent, you can take proactive steps to improve edtech vetting:

• Audit existing software – Create a list of all digital tools used in classrooms. Identify which ones are essential and which may be redundant or risky.
• Demand transparency – Request vendors to provide third-party security audits, privacy policies, and evidence of curriculum alignment.
• Involve stakeholders – Form a committee of IT staff, teachers, parents, and even students to evaluate products.
• Support legislation – Follow the progress of bills in your state and advocate for independent certification processes similar to Vermont’s.
• Educate the community – Host workshops explaining why even school-issued devices pose screen-time risks and how proper vetting can mitigate them.

Common Mistakes

When addressing edtech vetting, avoid these pitfalls:

• Assuming all devices are safe because they are school-issued. District laptops and software can still collect data and distract students.
• Relying solely on vendor claims. Always seek independent evaluations or peer reviews.
• Ignoring the fine print. Terms of service may allow data monetization or sharing with third parties.
• Focusing only on privacy while ignoring educational efficacy. A tool that protects data but fails to teach is also problematic.
• Waiting for legislation to force change. Districts can implement better vetting now without a state mandate.

Summary

Screen time concerns in schools have evolved from personal cellphones to include school-issued devices and the software powering them. The current vetting process, often left to vendor self-reporting, is increasingly viewed as inadequate. Three states—Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont—have introduced legislation to create independent certification systems. Vermont’s bill, which passed the House, exemplifies a structured approach with registration, fee, and review criteria. By understanding these developments and proactively implementing best practices, educators and policymakers can ensure that technology serves learning without compromising student well-being or privacy.