Dive Brief:

• Even as school technology becomes a more integral part of instruction, districts struggle to adapt antiquated purchasing systems to new approaches.
• District Administration reports that with 14,000 school districts, education technology companies expect districts to simplify their procurement processes, as companies cannot adapt to each individual district.
• But many districts say they are looking for more than just a customer-business relationship — they want companies to help address their needs, not just sell a product.

Dive Insight:

District Administration gathered some tips for administrators to bridge the gap. The first? Do your homework. Districts should make sure they know what they need instructionally, as well as what they already have in their inventory, before they begin the procurement process.

But experts also recommend starting small, with just a few devices, to see if the technology works for the district’s needs. That means intentionally running a pilot program in some cases. “Schools are deciding to try products themselves, with their own teachers and students, to figure out how well it will work to meet their needs,” Phil Martin, the co-author of a report on improving edtech purchasing, told District Administration.