Office of Educational Technology (EdTech)

Effective Uses of EdTech

EdTech Goal 2: Identify, evaluate, and promote effective uses of edtech that serve to enhance student learning.

EdTech Systems Guide: Equity-Driven Selection, Implementation, and Evaluation

DESE's Office of Education Technology (OET) partnered with The Learning Accelerator (TLA) to develop this guide for edtech leaders in Massachusetts. In May 2021, the Department released the EdTech Strategic Planning Guide: Sustaining Progress in Access and Equity , which offered school and system leaders guidance related to sustaining progress in access and equity through intentional and strategic edtech planning and resource allocation. This guide builds off of that work by offering support in developing and strengthening systems for edtech selection, implementation, and evaluation to ensure that edtech is effectively chosen, powerfully implemented, and properly evaluated for effectiveness across the state. Watch an introductory video on how to get the most out of the Systems Guide. Click the image below to view the guide.

EdTech Systems Guide: Equity-Driven Selection, Implementation, and Evaluation
EdTech Systems Guide Overview (Download PDF Document)

DESE EdTech Peer Learning Cohort

The Office of EdTech welcomes a limited number of EdTech Leaders annually into the EdTech Peer Learning Cohort. Participating leaders receive access to monthly 1:1 coaching, quarterly peer collaboration meetings, and on-site support designed to strengthen their foundational technology systems to support their own district's overall vision, mission, and priorities. The cohort work is grounded in the OET Strategic Planning Guide (SPG), which provides a comprehensive understanding of edtech in K–12 districts by highlighting seven key focus areas grouped by the relevant essential skills.

Learn more about the EdTech Peer Learning Cohort in this one-page overview .

2025-2026 Participants:
Announced in August 2025

2024-2025 Participants:

  • Dartmouth
  • Dover-Sherborn
  • Everett
  • Mendon-Upton
  • Nashoba Regional
  • Needham
  • Wellesley
  • Winchester

2023-2024 Participants:

  • Attleboro
  • Chicopee
  • Leominster
  • Lynnfield
  • Mendon-Upton
  • Mount Greylock
  • Natick
  • Pittsfield
  • Sharon
  • Swampscott
  • Uxbridge
  • Wrentham

2022-2023 Participants:

  • Attleboro
  • Barnstable
  • Berkshire County (multiple districts)
  • Cambridge
  • Chicopee
  • Gill-Montague
  • Hilltown Cooperative Charter
  • Hudson Public
  • KIPP MA (Lynn & Boston)
  • Mendon-Upton Regional

Featured Resources and Partnerships

DESE EdTech Leader Network

The EdTech Leader Network, which is open to all MA K12 technology leaders, meets regularly throughout the school year. Network meetings are virtual, and include OET updates, peer collaboration time, and focused content on topics such as elevating the role of technology leaders, budgeting, infrastructure, and professional learning. Topics for the meetings stem from the EdTech Strategic Planning Guide and are based on evolving trends and needs from technology leaders.

DESE EdTech Express

Do you only have 15 minutes to spare? Join the Office of Edtech for "Edtech Express". These monthly 15-minute meetings allow OET to offer brief DESE updates from a variety of offices. After the updates, participants have the option to stay for an additional 45 minutes of "office hours" with OET team members. During this time, participants can raise questions or discussion topics

Note: Edtech Leader Network and EdTech Express meetings are reserved for individuals employed by a Massachusetts School District. Please be advised that DESE does not authorize attendees to record or to use AI transcription tools during the meeting and DESE does not endorse any unauthorized transcripts created by third parties of its meetings.

For more information about the EdTech Leader Network/Edtech Express or how to register, email k12edtech@mass.gov .

Additional Support

  • MassCUE
    • MassCUE is the state's leading organization for educators passionate about digital teaching and learning. Having served educators in Massachusetts for over three decades, MassCUE provides rich professional development, networking, and learning opportunities for all educators —from classroom teachers, school-based administrators, technology and digital learning directors, and superintendents.

  • METAA
    • METAA's mission is to unite Massachusetts PK–12 Educational Technology Administrators — public, private, independent, charter and parochial — into one professional association to advocate and support the vision, policies, practices, and funding for historical, current, and cutting-edge technology within all aspects of teaching, learning, and professional productivity

  • TEC Student Data Privacy Alliance
    • "The TEC Student Data Privacy Alliance has developed a successful collaborative model to provide member school districts with the administrative and legal support required to negotiate privacy terms with software vendors."

Last Updated: July 21, 2025

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