School-Issued Devices Face New Scrutiny as States Move to Regulate EdTech Vetting
Breaking: State Legislatures Target EdTech Software Approval Amid Screen Time Backlash
Three states—Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont—have introduced legislation to overhaul the way schools vet educational software, responding to growing concerns that district-issued laptops and apps are fueling screen-time problems once blamed solely on personal cellphones. The proposals aim to create independent certification processes, moving oversight away from vendors and overburdened IT directors.
“There is nobody right now that is confirming these products are safe, effective and legal,” said Kim Whitman, co-lead of Smartphone Free Childhood US, in a previous interview with EdSurge. “It should not fall on the district’s IT director; it would be impossible for them to do it. And the companies should not be tasked with doing it—that would be like nicotine companies vetting their own cigarettes.”
The shift comes as parent and teacher groups, who spent years fighting cellphone use in classrooms, now turn their attention to school-issued devices like Chromebooks. “A lot of the issues with personal devices can move to the district-issued devices,” Whitman explained, noting that students without phones still message friends through Google Docs and other tools.
Background: From Cellphone Bans to EdTech Oversight
For the past several years, grassroots campaigns have pushed for cellphone restrictions during school hours. Many districts implemented bans or created phone-free zones. However, as schools increasingly rely on laptops and tablets for instruction, critics argue that the same distractions and privacy risks have simply migrated to official devices.
Most districts currently rely on vendors’ own safety and efficacy claims when choosing software. School boards and IT personnel often lack the resources to verify those claims. The new state proposals seek to establish a consistent, third-party review process.
Vermont Takes the Lead
The most advanced effort is in Vermont, where H. 166—titled “An act relating to educational technology products”—passed the state House on March 27 and now sits before the Senate Committee on Education. The bill would require all providers of student-facing educational technology to register annually with the secretary of state, pay a $100 fee, and submit current terms and privacy policies.
The secretary of state, in collaboration with the Vermont Agency of Education, would certify products based on criteria including:
- Compliance with state curriculum standards
- Advantages over non-digital alternatives
- Evidence the tool was designed specifically for education
- Design features such as artificial intelligence, geotracking, and targeted advertising
Earlier versions of the bill included financial penalties—$50 per day, up to $10,000—for non-registered providers still operating in schools. That language was removed before the House vote, but the core certification framework remains.
Similar Bills in Rhode Island and Utah
Legislators in Rhode Island and Utah have introduced parallel proposals, though details remain under committee review. All three states share a common goal: create a transparent, state-level vetting process that reduces reliance on vendor-supplied data.
What This Means
If enacted, these laws could fundamentally change how schools choose digital tools. Districts would likely face a narrower set of approved options, potentially reducing the number of apps and platforms available to teachers. For edtech companies, the requirement to undergo state certification—and pay associated fees—adds a new compliance hurdle.
Proponents argue the trade-off is worth it. “We can’t keep shifting the problem from personal devices to school devices without any oversight,” Whitman said. Parents and privacy advocates see the move as a necessary step to protect student data and limit distractions.
Critics, however, warn that state regulation could slow adoption of innovative tools and burden smaller developers. The outcome in Vermont, where the Senate will debate the bill in the coming weeks, is widely seen as a bellwether for similar efforts nationwide.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates on the Vermont Senate vote and progress in Rhode Island and Utah.
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