In other news, a superintendent helps his district earn an A-plus Fitch rating and another creates a successful master-based learning model.

An upcoming blockchain-powered solution is rolling out in 2020. Also, schools are partnering with PGE, Edupoint Educational Systems, Zayo Group Holdings and Canon Solutions America.

Police dog teams are familiar to all, and therapy dogs increasingly spend time in schools. Now, in some districts, security officers are patrolling their buildings with specially trained school dogs that can follow the sound and odor of gunfire and firearms to neutralize threats.

With tight budgets and unfunded special education mandates, many school districts struggle to provide appropriate individualized programs services for students with disabilities.

Districts of Distinction honoree Poway USD created a PD and in-class coaching program that transformed ed tech use. Teachers can be cooking dinner at home at the same time they're helping students in Google Suite.

At FETC 2020, the numerous sessions of the Future of Ed Tech Library Media Specialist track explored ways that schools can improve collaboration, personalization and learning creation.

The "Elementary Digital Tools Sandbox" was a huge service to district leaders and curriculum developers. Many participating vendors also staffed booths throughout the vast Expo Hall, while others focused exclusively on the sandbox event.

The annual pitch event gives schools immediate access to innovative new solutions and opens up a massive network for ed tech startups.