Evaluate edtech investments by Value of Investment alongside Total Cost of Ownership¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The guide recommends that districts move beyond cost analysis when justifying edtech purchases. While Total Cost of Ownership provides a clear picture of lifecycle expenses, Value of Investment evaluates the broader impact of an investment—its contribution to student outcomes, operational efficiency, risk reduction, and strategic goals. The guide states that together they "ensure decisions are both financially responsible and mission-aligned," and revisits the framing in Step 5 by asking what usage and performance data suggest about ROI.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Districts articulate strategic and instructional impact, not only lifecycle cost, when evaluating an edtech investment

Constraints¶

Target Learners¶

• District academic, IT, finance, and legal leaders involved in edtech budgeting

Target Learning Goals¶

• Making financially responsible, mission-aligned edtech procurement decisions

Related Strategies¶

• Use process and usage data alongside impact data in edtech evaluations

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Digital Promise. (2026). EdTech Quality Indicators Guide: Leveraging the Five EdTech Quality Indicators to save time and money, reduce risk, and improve student outcomes. https://digitalpromise.dspacedirect.org/items/f1e0fd08-9047-42e7-9a2d-190ccb4d10dd