U.S. Education Department Sets Five Questions for Classroom EdTech

The U.S. Department of Education has issued new guidance on responsible classroom technology use, arguing that digital tools should be judged by instructional value and evidence rather than novelty.

The guidance asks schools to consider five practical questions before adopting or continuing a tool: what learning problem it solves, when it should be used, who benefits, how long it should be used and what evidence shows that it improves student learning. It also emphasises educator judgement, transparency, implementation support and avoiding unnecessary screen time.

Why it matters for international schools

The framework is useful well beyond the United States. International schools reviewing software subscriptions, AI platforms or classroom devices can use the same questions to move procurement discussions away from features and towards learning impact. It also creates a clearer basis for retiring tools that are not producing enough educational value.

Source: U.S. Department of Education guidance