New LearnPlatform by Instructure Report Shows K-12 Districts Are More Selective About Edtech Tools as They Face Budget Crisis

The EdTech Top 40 report highlights districts’ push for fewer, more effective tools; Instructure responds with Canvas Apps to provide frictionless app integration

SALT LAKE CITY — June 30, 2025 — LearnPlatform by Instructure today published its eighth EdTech Top 40 report, providing a comprehensive, data-rich snapshot of how K-12 schools across the United States used digital tools, resources and edtech solutions during the 2024-25 school year.  As districts grapple with mounting financial pressures, this year’s findings reflect a noticeable shift in edtech strategy: leaders are prioritizing impact over volume, demanding stronger alignment with institutional goals, as well as evidence of effectiveness and long-term value from every tool they adopt. 

The report, which analyzed more than 64 billion interactions from 3.7 million students and 546,000 educators across the United States, provides a comprehensive view of how districts are navigating a crowded and complex educational technology landscape.

Since the surge in edtech adoption in 2020, engagement levels have continued to grow at a steady pace. The report found that districts accessed an average of 2,982 distinct edtech tools annually — a nearly 9 percent year-over-year increase — highlighting ongoing challenges related to tool sprawl and duplication.

On average, districts saw students access 1,165 tools and teachers access 1,045 tools each month. Students used 48 unique tools over the course of the year, up from 45 the prior year. Educators also saw a modest increase, with 50 tools used annually, up from 49 the previous year. 

“Districts are under increasing pressure to simplify and optimize their tech ecosystems to maximize value and learning impact while avoiding tool sprawl and staff burnout,” said Melissa Loble, chief academic officer at Instructure. “In this environment of budget cuts, it’s critical to ensure every investment drives real learning outcomes. We’re entering a new era where every tool must prove its value by supporting instruction, improving outcomes and aligning to long-term goals. This year’s EdTech Top 40 reflects that evolution.”

When combined with LearnPlatform’s evidence-as-a-service capabilities, districts gain the necessary tools to validate edtech performance and align procurement decisions with learning goals, which is especially critical during periods of financial austerity.

As schools face a defining moment in allocating limited budgets, the message is clear: evidence and alignment must guide edtech decision-making. This is reflected in this year’s Edtech Top 40, which found that 45% of the tools in the report have published Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) research, up from 32% last year. ESSA-aligned research provides districts with independently reviewed evidence of a tool’s effectiveness in improving student outcomes, helping education leaders make informed, accountable decisions. The rise in evidence-backed tools signals growing demand for solutions that demonstrate a measurable impact.

Analysis, tools and reports are compliant with all federal and state student data privacy laws, including FERPA, COPPA, CIPA and PPRA. The Edtech Top 40 is based solely on quantitative analysis of engagement and does not reflect user sentiment, effectiveness, or utility. (For additional detailed insights, evidence and more information on any education technology, educators and leaders should access LearnPlatform by Instructure.)

With simplification at the forefront of districts’ priorities, it’s more important than ever that edtech tools seamlessly integrate where teaching and learning happen every day – the learning management system (LMS). Strengthening its position as the most open and extensible LMS for K-12 schools and districts, Instructure has introduced Canvas Apps, a centralized hub for discovering, installing, managing and monitoring the use of LTI apps within Canvas. Canvas Apps provides administrators with enhanced visibility and control over the educational tools in use, enabling them to focus on effective solutions. This solution saves time and reduces complexity by giving insights into app information, including accessibility, privacy and security compliance.

"Canvas Apps has taken something that used to feel clunky and time-consuming and made it simple,” said Mike Crawford, Canvas Administrator at Sioux City Community School District. “I don’t have to dig through documentation or chase down support just to get an app working. It’s all in one place, with clear info on what each app does and how it fits with our district’s needs. It’s made life easier for me and for our teachers who rely on these tools to keep learning moving."

The EdTech Top 40 report and an accompanying infographic are available at www.instructure.com/edtech-top40.