An Associated Press analysis suggests that many districts spent tens of millions of dollars on various tech company services, including licenses for apps, games and tutoring. The question is whether it's made a real impact on students.

"It forces collaboration between social studies, math, English and science teachers," explains Superintendent John Dignan of Wayne-Westland Community Schools, about embedding interventions into core instruction. "They're working together and our kids are getting the medicine they need—it's not just about remediation, it's about acceleration."

Principal Angie Krause's background as a reading specialist has come in handy this year as she gets to know each child's academic and social-emotional needs.