The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has released long-awaited guidance to help states, school districts, educators, families, and education technology providers make informed decisions about the responsible use of technology in schools.

Importantly, the guidance does not introduce new federal rules. Instead, it gives states and districts flexibility to make decisions based on their local needs, while providing a clear framework for evaluating educational technology.

Perhaps the most significant message is this: the conversation should move beyond simply measuring screen time and focus instead on what matters most in educational technology - the value it can bring to teaching and learning.

For schools using literacy and accessibility tools such as Clicker and DocsPlus, this guidance reflects many of the principles that have guided our work for years.

Shifting the focus from screen time to learning outcomes

ED encourages schools and districts to distinguish between recreational technology and instructional technology, evaluating products based on educational outcomes rather than the amount of time students spend on devices.

This is an important distinction.

Not all technology serves the same purpose. Educational tools designed to support literacy, communication, and curriculum access should not be viewed in the same way as recreational screen use.

Clicker and DocsPlus are instructional tools that help learners express ideas, develop writing skills, participate in classroom activities, and access the curriculum more independently. Their value lies in the learning opportunities they create and the barriers they help remove.

Rather than increasing screen time for its own sake, these tools are designed to make learning more accessible, productive, and meaningful.

A welcome emphasis on evidence

Another key theme throughout the guidance is the importance of evidence-based decision-making.

The Department encourages districts to consider evidence of effectiveness when procuring educational technology and highlights the value of independent evaluations and randomized controlled trials where appropriate. It also encourages providers to publish independent evaluations whenever feasible.

We welcome this focus – schools deserve more than engagement statistics or usage figures. They need confidence that the technology they invest in is helping students make meaningful progress.

For many years, Crick Software has worked alongside educators, researchers, and schools to better understand the impact of technology on literacy development, curriculum access, and learner independence. This commitment to evidence helps ensure that product development remains focused on improving outcomes for students.

As expectations around evidence continue to grow, we believe this is positive for educators, learners, and the wider educational technology community.

Supporting students who need it most

The guidance also recognizes the important role technology can play for students with disabilities and others for whom technology provides access to learning opportunities that might otherwise be difficult or impossible to achieve.

This aligns closely with our mission.

Accessibility and inclusion are at the heart of both Clicker and DocsPlus. Features such as word prediction, speech feedback, writing scaffolds, and alternative access tools help reduce barriers that many learners face during reading and writing activities.

For students who struggle with traditional literacy tasks, the right technology can increase participation, build confidence, and support greater independence.

When used thoughtfully, educational technology can be a critical tool for ensuring every learner has an opportunity to succeed.

Technology is most effective when teachers are supported

ED's guidance also highlights the importance of implementation, encouraging providers to offer professional learning, training, and resources that help educators use technology effectively.

We couldn't agree more.

Successful technology adoption is about much more than providing software licenses. Lasting impact comes when educators feel confident integrating tools into everyday teaching and learning.

That's why Crick continues to invest in onboarding, professional development, webinars, resources, and ongoing customer support including personalized training. Our goal is to help schools translate technology investments into meaningful classroom outcomes.

Technology alone does not improve learning. Effective implementation, supported by knowledgeable educators, is what makes the difference.

Continuous improvement driven by real classrooms

The guidance also encourages educational technology providers to continuously improve their products using classroom evidence, parent feedback, and student outcomes.

This reflects the approach we have always taken.

Our product development is shaped by the experiences of educators and learners in real classrooms. Feedback from schools, support teams, specialists, and families plays an important role in helping us identify and address barriers to literacy and curriculum access.

By listening closely to the people who use our products every day, we can continue developing tools that respond to genuine educational needs.

Transparency matters

Finally, the Department of Education encourages districts to expect greater transparency from vendors about product capabilities, limitations, and performance.

This is an important step for the entire sector.

Educational technology should support teaching, not replace it. Schools deserve clear, honest information about what products can and cannot do, along with realistic expectations about the outcomes they can help achieve.

At Crick Software, our focus has always been on helping educators support learners more effectively through practical, evidence-informed technology that complements high-quality teaching.

Looking ahead

The Department of Education's new guidance represents a thoughtful and balanced approach to educational technology. Rather than focusing on screen time alone, it encourages schools to ask deeper questions about instructional value, evidence of effectiveness, accessibility, implementation, and student outcomes.

For educators, this provides a useful framework for evaluating technology investments. For educational technology providers, it reinforces the importance of creating tools that genuinely support teaching and learning.

Most importantly, it recognizes that technology has the greatest impact when it helps students access learning, participate fully in the classroom, and achieve greater independence.

Those principles have always been central to Clicker, DocsPlus, and our work at Crick Software, and we're encouraged to see them reflected in this latest guidance from the Department of Education.

Take a look at our recent blogs to learn more about Clicker and its benefits:

• Help learners get ideas down on paper with Clicker
  
  
• Measuring student progress and attainment with Clicker
  
  
• Clicker and guided reading

To find out more about implementing Clicker in your district, or for tailored support for an existing subscription, please get in touch.