Ohio Department of Education and Workforce implements comprehensive technology standards to prepare students for digital future

WASHINGTON, D.C. (APRIL 29, 2025) – ISTE+ASCD today announced that the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce has adopted the ISTE Standards for Students as Ohio’s Learning Standards for Technology. This adoption, finalized in February 2025, ensures Ohio students will develop essential technology skills, including artificial intelligence and digital literacy competencies. 

The ISTE Standards for Students provide a clear progression of content knowledge and skills across grade bands, ensuring age-appropriate technology integration throughout a student’s educational journey. Rather than focusing on specific technology tools, the standards emphasize durable, transferable skills and how students learn with technology and across all content areas and grade levels.

“Ohio’s adoption of the ISTE Standards shows the priority they are placing around  preparing students for success,” said Richard Culatta, CEO of ISTE+ASCD. “By implementing this framework, Ohio is ensuring its students are not simply consumers of technology but digital creators, problem-solvers, and innovators.” 

Ohio’s Learning Standards for Technology incorporate seven key strands: Empowered Learner (EL), Digital Citizen (DC), Knowledge Constructor (KC), Innovative Designer (ID), Computational Thinker (CT), Creative Communicator (CC), and Global Collaborator (GC). These standards balance knowledge, conceptual understanding, and skill development while addressing the significant understandings needed for students to be prepared for the workforce of the future. 

“It’s critical for every Ohio student to be ready to succeed in a global economy. Ohio’s Learning Standards for Technology provide the tools that connect foundational learning with a portfolio of digital skills and an outlook to innovation,” said Stephen D. Dackin, director, Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. “As industries continue to adapt for the future, the emerging workforce must also meet these ever-evolving needs. Ohio’s Learning Standards for Technology are another important component to ensuring schools are preparing students to meet their full potential.” 

Ohio has 79 ISTE Certified Educators, individual educators who successfully completed the rigorous, competency-based certification, who will be valuable resources in implementing these new standards across Ohio schools. These educators bring specialized expertise in technology integration and can model effective practices for colleagues, support embedding the ISTE Standards into curriculum and help facilitate professional development for their schools or districts.

To learn more about the ISTE Standards and how they support student success, visit https://iste.org/standards.

About ISTE+ASCD

In 2023, ISTE and ASCD merged to create a unified organization dedicated to ensuring every student has an amazing learning experience every day. Today, ISTE+ASCD is the largest innovation-focused education non-profit worldwide, serving over a million educators in every US state and over 100 countries around the world. ISTE+ASCD offers inspiring events, professional certifications, dynamic member communities, and innovative thought leadership to help educators create transformational learning experiences.