Dissecting Districts' Ed-Tech Buying

A newly released study probes the frustrations that digital developers and K-12 officials have with various aspects of district procurement, the process that schools use to buy goods and services.

Related: Ed-Tech Vendors Often in Dark on District Needs, Study Shows

The study found that vendors have a much more pessimistic view of the K-12 procurement process than many school administrators do.

In searching for information on what ed-tech products to buy, many K-12 officials turn to recommendations from their peers, as well as to on-the-ground evaluations of those products.

Some administrators, such as technology and curriculum directors, tend to be much more involved in purchasing decisions than teachers.

The study also found that vendors believe they struggle to make their products known in K-12 districts -- and that they aren't sure what districts want.