US schools and districts currently spend billions of dollars on edtech product licenses. But most organizations lack the resources or time to conduct timely, practical evaluations of those tools and their effectiveness on student learning.
Rapid data with rapid-cycle evaluation
This white paper offers district leaders a roadmap to get more from their edtech investments through rapid-cycle evaluations. In this guide, you'll:
explore how RCE can be implemented effectively in individual K-12 schools, full districts, and even at the state level.
see specific real-world example of rapid-cycle evaluations in action.
learn to move beyond traditional methods and become more agile in your edtech management.
The window for emergency spending has closed, but the evidence-based interventions remain valuable. As K-12 leaders shift the focus from acquiring technology to validating each tool’s value within the general budget, rapid-cycle evaluations give district leaders the data they need to gauge their edtech tools’ value.
Traditional research methods often fail to keep up with the speed of modern classrooms. Almost two-thirds of edtech providers offer research, but less than 10% of that research is considered high-quality. Efficacy studies happen in "ideal" settings. You need to know what works in your real-world classrooms. Plus, external evaluations can cost over $200,000 and take years to complete.
Why should you consider rapid-cycle evaluation?
Rapid-cycle evaluations let your team tap into Instructure’s research team to iteratively look at your edtech tools and platforms. Which tools are used and to what degree of fidelity? How do those tools impact learner achievement? What differences exist between buildings in that achievement? You can choose what to explore and start justifying investments with confidence through RCE. In addition, districts can:
Move from Level IV (Foundational) to Level III (Promising) and Level II (Moderate)evidence using local student data.
Identify which licenses aren’t getting used so your budget can support the tools that actually help your learners.
Combine quantitative usage data with structured teacher feedback to gain a holistic view of classroom success.
Bring RCE data into renewal conversations for more research-based budget decisions.
Download the guide to learn more about how RCE can prepare for sustainable edtech excellence.
FAQs
What is rapid-cycle evaluation (RCE) in education?
RCE is an efficient and cost-effective method used by K-12 districts to evaluate the effectiveness and value of edtech products in a timely manner.
Why should districts use RCE over traditional methods?
Traditional methods are often too slow for modern school needs. RCE offers a quick, practical path to understanding edtech value within budget.
How much do US schools spend on edtech?
US schools and districts spend billions of dollars annually on edtech licenses, but often lack the resources to evaluate their true impact.
Is RCE useful for state-level edtech management?
Yes. The utility of RCE extends beyond individual schools to include entire districts and state-level educational organizations.
