Repository of approved and denied edtech tools¶

Element · All elements
Evidence · 4 claims (3 for, 1 mixed) · 2 studies (1 qualitative, 1 theoretical), q1–q2 · 0 of 2 report an effect size · 4 claims rest on one study

Description¶

DPS developed an online repository listing tools approved through its evaluation process, tools reviewed and not approved with explanations, and alternative approved tools offered when a request is denied. The report states that "DPS developed an online repository sharing the list of tools that were approved through the evaluation process." It supports edtech discovery for educators, gives families visibility into the tools students use, and helps the district monitor approved and unapproved tools for consolidation and collaboration opportunities.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Requires an up-to-date inventory of edtech products across the district and an evaluation process that produces approval decisions to populate the repository.

Constraints¶

• The report notes alternatives may be limited: "There will probably always be limited alternatives, but the goal is always to offer."

Target Learners¶

• K-12 students in a large public school district (approximately 90,000 learners across 197 schools)

Target Learning Goals¶

• Safe, effective, and coherent use of educational technology tools aligned with district instructional priorities

Claims¶

• DPS's evaluation process led schools to use safer edtech products by prioritizing student data privacy and accessibility review [+W]
• Consolidating edtech tools enabled DPS to pursue vendor partnerships that systematically compare app usage with student data to evaluate tool effectiveness [+W]
• Cohort purchasing through consolidated edtech procurement produced savings of nearly $200,000 and roughly 50 percent per-license discounts in Denver Public Schools [+W]
• Edtech tool access per district grew more than 350% between 2019 and 2025, yet most tools are unused or used at low intensity [~W]

Related Elements¶

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Noakes, S., Shell, A., & Karim, S. (2025). Driving Edtech Coherence and Intentionality: Denver Public Schools' Innovative Procurement Process. https://doi.org/10.51388/20.500.12265/267