Choices in Tech Resources for the Curriculum Narrowing

Just like textbook choices narrowed as companies purchased each other, the same is happening with education technology curricular resources. As companies watch K-12 looking to complete digital programs for curriculum, management and assessment; they are scrambling to purchase products that will enhance their offerings and provide what schools want. According to Karen Billings of the Software and Information Industry Association’s (SIAA) educational division, “two areas ripe for the most activity are prekindergarten and high school.” Companies are purchasing other companies or merging with others both at a higher rate and with larger transactions (an increase of $2 billion since 2010). Some of the major acquisitions this year were made by Pearson and K12 Inc.  With all the education technology resources available, it’s been difficult for school leaders and teachers to put together their own programs that will fit what they want in the curriculum. These companies realize that having one supplier for school needs in curriculum, assessment, and management will be a major selling point. Sounds good to some, but with fewer choices, will prices rise, and will some of the wonderful smaller company products be overlooked or discontinued by those gobbling up the programs they need?