A Wisconsin district wants to lease devices and Ohio’s Columbus city school district is seeking an individualized typing program.
Districts Form ‘Clusters’ to Pump Up Purchasing Power in K-12 Marketplace
Networks Aim for Faster Buying Decisions and More Feedback for Education Companies

Small school districts are banding together into “clusters” to pump up their purchasing power, establish faster buying decisions, and provide useful feedback to education companies.
Weighing When and How to Sell to Small, Rural K-12 Districts
Vendors Can Experiment With Products and Pricing, and Work With Purchasing Cooperatives

Education companies face difficult decisions about whether to go after business in rural and small school systems, which typically offer little room to scale up.
Why District Size and Location Matters When Selling to K-12 Schools
Keep in Mind That the Vast Majority of the Nation's School Districts Have Fewer Than 2,500 Students

Contracts with the biggest districts typically get the most attention and are the most lucrative. But the vast majority of the nation’s school districts have fewer than 2,500 students–and those systems offer terrific opportunities for companies.
To Beat Out Incumbent Companies, Forge Alliances and Reach Out to PD Staff
Providers Trying to Break Through Would Be Wise to Join Forces With Other Vendors, One Expert Says

Digital providers trying to land K-12 contracts over heavily favored incumbents should think about reaching out to administrators focused on professional development–not to overburdened procurement staff.
How Vendors Can Weather Superintendent Turnover: Advice From Top Executives
Strong Customer Service, Relationship-Building Help Contracts Survive Changes in District Leadership

Turnover in district leadership can create big problems for companies, unless they have sound strategies for managing those personnel shifts.
U.S. Enrollment Trends in Pre-K-8: What They Mean for Your Company
Surging Populations of Young Students Could Shape Demand for Academic, Other Content

Many Western and Southern states are projected to see dramatic surges in enrollment in pre-kindergarten through grade 8, topped by Nevada, at 27percent growth, and Arizona at 20 percent.

K-12 systems are telling publishers and other content producers to give them materials for English-language learners that are more challenging, and tailored to specific grade spans and academic subjects.