Schools’ pandemic spending boosted tech companies. Did it help US students?

Padcaster president Jon Goldberg, left, and CEO Josh Apter, demonstrate their Padcaster Studio for remote and virtual learning, at EDTECHWEEK 2023, in New York. As soon as the federal pandemic relief started arriving at America's schools, tech companies by the dozens wanted a chance to prove that their software or equipment was exactly what schools needed. — AP

WASHINGTON: As soon as the federal pandemic relief started arriving at America’s schools, so did the relentless calls.

Tech companies by the dozens wanted a chance to prove their software was what schools needed. Best of all, they often added, it wouldn't take a dime from district budgets: Schools could use their new federal money.