Guidance on Responsible Use of Education Technology in the Classroom

New guidance to help states, school districts, educators, families, and education technology providers make informed decisions about the responsible use of technology in classrooms. The guidance encourages a focus on instructional value over recreational engagement when selecting and using technological tools in the classroom. It also urges states to pair innovation with evidence, educator judgement, transparency for parents, and a relentless focus on student outcomes. Technology use should have a clear instructional purpose, be backed by independent evidence, be transparent in design and data use, and be supported by strong implementation: 

• States and districts should focus on learning impact, choose tools with proven results, review effectiveness regularly, and support educator training. 
• Providers should build evidence-based tools that strengthen instruction, minimize unnecessary screen time, and offer practical implementation support. 
• Schools and providers should build opportunities for greater transparency around how and when technology is used, including how much time students spend on screens, how tools are being implemented, and whether that use is contributing to meaningful learning outcomes. 
• When evidence shows a tool is not improving learning, schools must be willing to change course, and when repeated findings confirm persistent shortcomings, they should remove it altogether.