7 Lessons Learned from One Administrator's Journey in Choosing a Technology Provider

As classrooms continue to become increasingly inundated with technology, the decision around choosing the right partner who will meet your program needs only gets harder. So, to help you consider all sides of the issue, we’ve gone straight to the source—an experienced decision-maker with exceptionally high expectations and no time to waste.

Check out this list of seven things you should be looking for when selecting your edtech partner, gathered from my recent conversation with Dr. Tyrana Battle, assistant superintendent for Halifax County School District in Halifax, North Carolina.

1. Determine if a program meets district initiatives. Halifax County School District, for example, is a district with specific whole-child initiatives. It was important that district partners had the resources to help us in this way as well.
    
2. Expect more than an out-of-the-box solution. A strong partner should evaluate needs and review assessment data to design a program that specifically addresses unique district goals.
    
3. Consider the educators who will be using the program and the training they might require. Halifax County School District has historically struggled to retain teachers, so providing annual training and support is necessary to continue to implement programs with fidelity.
    
4. Get students involved to determine if enthusiasm and engagement will be there after rollout. Students spend more time in the program than anyone else; they have to find value in what they’re doing.
    
5. Assemble an experienced team to evaluate the curriculum closely. Determine if the program offers the flexibility to align with a district’s scope and sequence.
    
6. Consider the different tiers of students who are served in your school or district. Does the program have curriculum, tools, and resources to meet varying student needs?
    
7. Finally, use the evaluation process as a litmus test for the team you’re working with. Is a representative available who you can trust, who calls you back, and who doesn’t give you the runaround through multiple different individuals at the company?

With these seven elements in mind, make sure that you have your priorities in order before entering into any new partnership. Interested in learning more about how to evaluate a technology provider before you take the plunge? Check out our Education Technology Evaluation Guide.