# Kansas Board Weighs School Technology Guidance

The Kansas State Board of Education is considering statewide guidance for instructional technology covering age-appropriate use, student privacy and security, artificial intelligence, and whether families should acknowledge technology use or opt in or out. Five Johnson County districts support annual parent or guardian acknowledgment while retaining flexibility for local implementation. The board is expected to finalize and act on the guidance in November 2026. No solicitation or contract has been announced, but the guidance could shape future district demand for secure education technology, digital learning resources, and staff training.

- Districts and education technology providers can use the proposed focus areas to assess how privacy, security, age-appropriate use, and AI capabilities align with school needs; the guidance is not yet finalized.
- The supported approach combines annual family acknowledgment with local implementation flexibility, which may leave purchasing and implementation decisions to individual districts.
- There is no procurement opportunity or compliance deadline announced. Suppliers should distinguish this pending state guidance from a solicitation or a finalized requirement.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Education, Information Technology
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance, Artificial Intelligence
**Published:** October 30, 2026

### Government Entities
- Kansas State Board of Education (KBOE)
- Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE)
- Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD)
- Blue Valley Unified School District 229
- Olathe Unified School District 233

### Key Quotes
> We’re really asking them to focus on the independent research and to do an independent audit of how kids are using the devices.
> — Kim Whitman, Co-lead of Schools Beyond Screens Shawnee Mission

> It leaves some leeway for local control, which again, we believe strongly in.
> — Michael Schumacher, Superintendent

### Sources
- [Kansas Board of Education looks to implement new policies surrounding technology in schools](https://www.kctv5.com/2026/10/30/kansas-board-education-is-looking-implement-new-policies-surrounding-technology-use-schools) - KCTV