Schools’ Pandemic Spending Boosted Tech Companies

WASHINGTON (AP) — An infusion of federal pandemic relief to America’s schools sparked a boom in the education technology sector, an industry where research and evidence are scarce. An Associated Press analysis of public records finds districts including Nevada’s Clark County spent tens of millions of dollars on apps, games and tutoring websites. Schools often have little or no evidence the programs helped students, and some were rarely used. Some Clark County parents say software shouldn’t be a priority in a district with issues including aging buildings and more than 1,100 teacher vacancies. The district declined an interview request. Some critics have called for greater federal oversight of the industry.