Key Points
- Interoperability clears the way for learning. From rosters that work on Day One to tools that align with standards, 1EdTech’s open standards reduce tech headaches so teachers can focus on teaching and students can focus on learning.
- Collaboration builds the future. By working with partners across education and technology, 1EdTech is creating a connected, student-centered ecosystem where innovation is practical, equitable, and ready to scale.
The back-to-school season always stirs a unique mix of excitement and urgency. The fresh wax on the floors, the crisp bulletin boards, and the early buzz of students filling the hallways are rhythms we know well. Yet behind that energy, we also feel the pressure: systems must be ready, apps must work, and every student needs to be set up for success from the very first bell.
In the midst of that annual flurry, I’ve been reflecting on the powerful role that organizations like 1EdTech Consortium play in making this launch smoother and more meaningful.
As a longtime educator and someone who’s walked the path from the classroom to district leadership, I see 1EdTech not just as a standards organization but as a trusted co-designer in this digital education ecosystem. Their work this year, rooted in innovation, equity, and practical support, couldn’t come at a better time.
We believe technology should clear the way for learning, not complicate it. That’s why, in collaboration with partners across education and technology, we’re working to build an ecosystem where systems connect, tools align, and innovation serves the classroom. From seamless rostering to trusted apps, aligned standards, equitable leadership, and credentials that open doors, this is what it looks like when digital learning just works.
Rosters That Work Before the First Day: 1EdTech + Ed-Fi = Less Chaos, More Learning
Let’s face it, every educator has experienced the frustration of Day One digital delays: apps that won’t load, rosters that don’t sync, and students left waiting.
This year, thanks to a groundbreaking collaboration between 1EdTech and the Ed-Fi Alliance, there’s good news on the rostering front. By aligning OneRoster® with the Ed-Fi Data Standard, we’re entering a new era:
- Rosters are ready before students walk in.
- Tech support queues shrink, and teaching time expands.
- State-level onboarding becomes smoother for vendors and districts alike.
Pilots are already rolling out, with the potential to serve more than 20 million K–12 learners. This is what back-to-school prep should look like.
Making Standards Click: CASE® Helps Teachers Teach, Not Toggle
Raise your hand if you’ve ever tried to align a lesson to your state standards using a PDF… or three. With so many disconnected tools, the process becomes more about logistics than learning.
Enter Competencies and Academic Standards Exchange® (CASE). This standard turns static documents into structured, machine-readable formats that:
- Let teachers tag digital resources directly to academic standards.
- Empower designers to align content with actual skills.
- Allow schools to track mastery and adjust instruction in the moment.
With more than 20 states and the major LMS platforms on board, CASE is turning alignment into activation, which is a game-changer for curriculum planning.
No More Duplicate Apps: A Common Language for Edtech
You’ve probably been here: trying to track down the right version of an app from three different lists, wondering which one is certified, secure, or up to date.
That’s where 1EdTech’s Uniform ID Framework comes in. This solution uses Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) and was built in collaboration with ClassLink and other members, allowing platforms to:
- Verify apps across registries.
- Unify certifications, regardless of where they’re listed.
- Maintain autonomy while promoting interoperability.
This doesn’t change the apps you love; it just removes the hassle of managing them. And in the whirlwind of back-to-school tech prep, that’s a blessing.
WIDENing the Path for Women in Data & EdTech
Equity is more than policy; it’s personal. In a field where less than 20% of data professionals are women, we need to do more. 1EdTech is taking a bold step through the WIDEN initiative: Women in Data and EdTech Network.
This growing community is focused on:
- Mentorship and support for women in data and edtech.
- Visibility and voice for leaders shaping the future.
- Pathways for students to become tomorrow’s tech changemakers.
Back to school isn’t just about students; it’s also about building a field that reflects their diversity and dreams.
Choosing Trust: Vetting Digital Tools with Confidence
Teachers don’t have time to vet every app that comes across their desk. That’s where TrustEd Apps™ and the TrustEd Apps Management Suite (TAMS) step in.
This powerful toolset now supports:
- More than 13,000 vetted apps reviewed for security, privacy, and interoperability.
- New AI-specific criteria, ensuring responsible use of generative tools.
- Clear, educator-friendly rubrics for helping select safe, effective tools.
This matters. When teachers are managing 30 students and juggling 10 digital platforms, their time should go to teaching, not troubleshooting technology. TAMS empowers schools to make smart choices so teachers can focus on what they do best: helping students learn.
Final Bell: Join the Community That’s Designing What’s Next
Each school year is a new beginning, a blank page waiting to be written with intention and care.
What 1EdTech is doing isn’t trendy, nor is it performative. It’s transformative and deeply rooted in educators' real-world experiences. From cleaner rosters to aligned standards, equitable leadership to trusted apps, the work is honest, collaborative, and student-centered.
And the best part? You’re invited to join.
Whether you’re a teacher setting up your classroom, a district leader preparing systems, or a tech partner building what’s next, 1EdTech has a place for you.
So, here’s to a school year that starts smoother, works smarter, and reaches further.
Let’s open the digital door together.
Learn more about membership by clicking here.
About the Author
As the Vice President of K-12 Programs at 1EdTech, Dr. Tim Clark assists schools and districts in adopting 1EdTech standards and practices to enable interoperable and secure digital learning ecosystems. He also provides strategic leadership for K-12 in 1EdTech in collaboration with K-12 institutional and state department of education members of the consortium. Tim holds a Doctor of Education in Leadership for Learning with a concentration in Instructional Technology, and his research and dissertation focused on designing online learning communities for elementary students. Throughout his career, he has been a vocal advocate for implementing instructional technology, digital content, and curriculum to increase achievement and motivation, encourage collaboration, facilitate critical thinking, and construct engaging learning environments.
