Stretch budgets, keep control: the case for parent-funded, school-managed devices

Many schools use devices in the classroom to enhance learning for their students. While the pandemic accelerated 1:1 device deployments, years later devices are a mainstay in curricula. As funding runs out and devices purchased in 2020 reach their end of life, schools must figure out how to continue their technology strategies in effective, cost-efficient ways.

Schools worldwide are turning to parent-funded, school-managed (PFSM) deployments — families purchase the device, the school enrolls them in mobile device management (MDM) to preserve security and configure the devices. This saves schools money, lets students use familiar devices and can enhance the classroom experience. How?

That's what we discuss in our paper, Stretch Budgets, Keep Control: The Case for Parent-Funded, School-Managed Devices. Read it for a deep dive into PFSM deployments or get the highlights here.

Deployment challenges

Deploying devices means addressing a number of challenges. For instance, how do schools acquire devices? How can they enable students of all backgrounds to have internet-connected devices? How can they maintain learning outcomes?

To address acquisition, schools have turned to:

• Government support
• Public-private partnerships
• Loans or leasing programs
• BYOD or PSFM programs

To address other issues, schools look for tools that improve the classroom experience without compromising security or privacy. In the paper, we offer solutions that IT can love too.

PSFM vs. traditional BYOD

Many schools already use bring-your-own-device (BYOD) programs, where families provide the devices. Traditional BYOD programs differ from PSFM devices:

• PSFM devices are managed and secured by the school; this isn't standardized with traditional BYOD.
• PFSM devices are supervised and schools get control over what content devices can access. Since devices aren't managed in traditional BYOD, schools have limited ways to reduce distractions or prevent access to malware.
• PFSM devices are configurable based on curricula, enhancing learning, another feat impossible with traditional BYOD.

Key benefits of a PSFM deployment

While the paper expounds on the benefits of PSFM deployments, including detailing software features, here's a quick summary:

• Data is secured and response times are reduced.
• Learning is more unified and equitable.
• Schools save money.
• Devices aid classroom workflows.