EQC представил единый стандарт качества для оценки образовательных технологий

This month the EQC unveiled the EdTech Quality Indicators Guide, offering practical recommendations for incorporating those principles — safety, evidence, inclusivity, usability and interoperability — into purchasing decisions using a common framework rather than creating their own review processes. Instead of emphasizing product features or cost alone, the framework encourages district leaders to lean on said indicators throughout the procurement process, from identifying instructional needs to evaluating implementation and return on investment, according to a recent news release. The EQC, which consists of six ed-tech organizations including 1EdTech, the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST), the Consortium for School Networking, Digital Promise, the International Society for Transforming Education and the State Education Technology Directors Association, released the new guide at a time when district technology leaders are increasingly being asked to justify software investments, reduce redundant evaluations and demonstrate that purchased tools support teaching and learning. At its core, the guide reflects how districts are moving away from purchasing as many digital tools as possible and toward selecting fewer products that better align with instructional goals, accessibility requirements and existing systems. "Making education technology work better for everyone means bringing the entire education community together to define what quality looks like," 1EdTech CEO Curtiss Barnes said in a public statement. "By creating a shared framework for evaluating ed tech, we're helping schools make more informed decisions while giving providers clearer guidance on how to build products that meet educators' needs." Moreover, the news release said one of the guide's primary goals is reducing the administrative burden associated with ed-tech procurement. Instead of requiring every district to independently review a product's privacy practices, accessibility features, interoperability and supporting evidence, the guide recommends leveraging trusted third-party certifications and validations. The guide also places a strong emphasis on accessibility. It recommends that districts evaluate products through the lens of accessibility and Universal Design for Learning, an instructional framework that prioritizes inclusion, from the earliest stages of procurement rather than treating accessibility as a compliance requirement after implementation. That focus comes as districts prepare to comply with updated federal digital accessibility requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act, making accessibility an increasingly important consideration when selecting new technology. "Quality ed tech should be designed to address learner variability from the start," Christine Fox, chief growth and innovation officer at CAST, said in a public statement. “Together, we can reduce barriers for educators and learners to ensure that technology investments deliver meaningful impact for every student."