Annual State Technology Survey
Contact Information
Technology Survey Overview
The Educational Technology Data Collection document explains that OSPI annually collects essential information about technology infrastructure, cybersecurity, emerging technologies, instructional needs, mobile devices and mobile device policies, and EdTech classroom assessments. These are used to meet several legislative requirements and guide the efforts of OSPI’s EdTech team. This collection is due May 31, 2026.
The survey is also used to prepare several legislative reports about classroom-based educational technology assessments (RCW 28A.655.075), technology initiatives (RCW 28A.650.070) and recently passed legislation focused on mobile devices (SB 5346).
It is encouraged that Technology Directors discuss these educational technology classroom-based assessment questions with Teaching and Learning staff before submitting responses.
2025–26 Technology Survey
The survey will be directly emailed to district Technology Directors. They can take the survey themselves or forward to a staff member responsible for data collection.
The survey is dynamic and may contain up to 83 questions. It should take approximately 45 minutes to complete. If you haven't already, please review the survey questions to guide your data collection before completing the survey.
You are not required to complete this survey in one sitting. The survey is set up so that you will receive an email if you save and exit prior to its completion. Please refer to the email from Alchemer.com to restart the survey at your convenience. Also, please note that the primary survey taker and the district's designated Technology Director will receive a copy of the completed survey for your files.
OSPI 2025–26 Educational Technology Survey Questions
2024–25 Technology Survey
295 (91%) of eligible public entities (public charter, tribal compact, and public) school districts responded to our 2024–25 annual technology survey. That is an increase of 28 responses from last year, with 267 responses.
Internet Connectivity
- 276 districts are connected to Washington's K-20 Education Network, including 5 new procured sites this year.
- 75% of district respondents have s Wide Area Network (WAN).
Guest Access
- 93% of district respondents allow guests to connect to a district network.
- 80% of districts reported guests only connect to a separate guest network.
- 59 districts replied they only provide guest access only if requested or must-have. 59 Districts replied they only provide guests network access if it is requested or must-have.
- 59 Districts replied they only provide network access if it is requested or must-have.
Instructional Devices
- There is an estimated total of 1,010,686 1:1 devices deployed to students across all K-12. (Learning devices that are assigned to individual students).
- There is an estimated total of 1,096,359 non 1:1 devices deployed across all K-12
- (Learning devices that are not individually assigned).
- NEW Info: The dominance of Chrome OS devices suggests strong adoption of Chromebooks in schools.
| Operating System | Average Percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Chrome OS | 81% |
| Windows OS | 24% |
| Mac iPad OS | 13% |
| Mac OS X | 3.42% |
| Other | 2% |
1:1 Device Programs
- 91% of district respondents have a 1:1 device program.
- 23 district respondents reported not having a 1:1 device program in place.
- Estimated total 1:1 devices for 2024–25 school year: 1,010,686.
- Top 1:1 device program descriptions:
- Elementary: 46% of schools reported having devices assigned to a classroom. This outpaced student assigned devices which was 35% of responses for the previous year.
- Middle School: Students have assigned devices that regularly travel between school and home. (50% of respondents). This is down 17% from last year.
- High School: Students have assigned devices that regularly travel between school and home (68% of respondents) . This is down 10% from last year.
Digital Equity
- Only 82 Districts responded that they track internet access at home (most through a survey or direct request from a family).
- 203 Districts responded that internet cost is a barrier to home connectivity, with 197 districts saying no internet is available at their homes. 120 districts responded that lack of internet options is a barrier to connectivity.
- 144 districts responded that unhoused foster and migrant students face issues getting connected.
- 108 districts reported providing some form of digital navigation (hotspots, trainings, tech guidance). Only 35 districts reported they are using Community Based Organizations(CBO) to provide digital navigation supports. 8 of those districts are using only CBOs to provide digital navigation supports.
Cybersecurity
- 56% of district respondents have 0 FTEs dedicated to cybersecurity.
- Across the state, an average of 0.36 FTEs are dedicated to cybersecurity per district. The greatest cybersecurity needs identified were (1) funding for technology staff, (2) time for educator professional learning, and (3) funding for cybersecurity appliances.
Tech Staffing
- 68% of district respondents have at least 1 FTE dedicated to tech support.
- 12% of district respondents have 0 FTEs dedicated to technical support.
- 29% of district respondents provide stipends to individuals at the building level to provide educational technology support.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integration
- Districts were asked to rank AI integration on a scale of 0–5 (0 being “not at all” and 5 being “full integration”) at multiple levels.
- District leadership: 1.6 average ranking.
- Policy/program implementation: 1.4 average ranking.
- Classroom: 1.2 average ranking.
Cell Phone Policies
As of this survey, 75% of districts had a smart device policy already in place by the start of the 2025–26 school year. Of those districts, 56% stated they do not let individual schools make their own policies.
- 53% of districts with a policy in place reported their policy is devices must be put away for instructional time only.
- 31% of districts reported that devices must be put away for the entire school day.