SETDA
SETDA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association founded in 2001 that represents U.S. state educational technology directors, providing research reports, EdTech quality frameworks, policy advocacy, and professional learning resources across all 50 states and DoDEA.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersGlen Burnie, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What SETDA does
SETDA (State Educational Technology Directors Association) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association founded in 2001 and headquartered in Glen Burnie, Maryland, that serves as the principal membership body representing U.S. state and territorial educational technology directors and chiefs. It operates across all 50 states, U.S. territories, and DoDEA, reaching state EdTech leaders through annual conferences (Leadership Summit, Emerging Trends Forum, EdTech Advocacy and Policy Fly-Ins), policy fly-ins, and direct membership engagement via the SETDA Hub platform. Its core deliverables are research publications and frameworks rather than technology products, including the annual State EdTech Trends Report (covering 47 states and DoDEA in 2025), the Framework for EdTech Quality Indicators (FEQI), the K12 Instructional Materials Dashboard, DMAPS, the Broadband Imperative series, the Guide to Implementing Digital Learning (GIDL), and the National Educational Technology Plan (NETP) advocacy portfolio.
Revenue is generated through a mix of state and affiliate membership dues, corporate membership tiers (Platinum partner ClassLink; Gold partners CDW Education, Clever, Funds For Learning, Instructure, Lenovo, Safari Montage, and SolarWinds), event sponsorships, and grants from foundations including Google.org and Siegel Family Endowment. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and operates on annual billing cycles for corporate partners. The primary customer segment is state education agencies (the structural membership base), with K-12 districts and schools as a downstream beneficiary segment served via resources, frameworks, and procurement guidance. In July 2025, SETDA was designated as the U.S. Focal Point to UNESCO's Global Digital Learning Initiative, its most significant external validation and a signal of expanded international coordination. Recent strategic priorities center on AI policy guidance for state leaders, professional learning frameworks for Title II-A implementation, and durable funding advocacy for K-12 digital infrastructure.
SETDA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SETDA
- Legal name
- State Educational Technology Directors Association
- Website
- https://setda.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- SETDA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association founded in 2001 that represents U.S. state educational technology directors, providing research reports, EdTech quality frameworks, policy advocacy, and professional learning resources across all 50 states and DoDEA.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where SETDA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Glen Burnie
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
SETDA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: SETDA generates revenue through state and affiliate membership fees as well as corporate membership tiers (Platinum and Gold partners).
- Grants and Sponsorships: Funded by organizations such as Google.org, Siegel Family Endowment, and other educational foundations to support research, professional learning initiatives, and policy development.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Corporate membership available at Platinum and Gold tiers with varying benefits |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
SETDA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SETDA is a nonprofit membership association that represents U.S. state and territorial educational technology directors. It produces research publications (such as the annual State EdTech Trends Report), develops evaluation frameworks (such as the Framework for EdTech Quality Indicators/FEQI), operates online policy and instructional materials portals (DMAPS, K12 Instructional Materials Dashboard), publishes implementation guides (Guide to Implementing Digital Learning, Broadband Imperative series), and convenes state leaders through events and training programs.
Product overview
SETDA (State Educational Technology Directors Association) is a membership association, not a product company. It provides research publications, frameworks, professional learning resources, policy guidance, and hosts events for state educational technology leaders. The core offerings include the State EdTech Trends annual report, the EdTech Quality Collaborative with its Framework for EdTech Quality Indicators (FEQI), the K12 Instructional Materials Dashboard, DMAPS policy portal, Navigating the Digital Shift publication series, Professional Learning Resources, the Guide to Implementing Digital Learning (GIDL), Broadband Imperative reports, Leadership Summit events, and an Awards program recognizing excellence in educational technology.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- State EdTech Trends Report Annual survey and report tracking state priorities and challenges in educational technology, distributed to state education leaders and members.
- Framework for EdTech Quality Indicators (FEQI) Research-grounded framework with five quality indicators (SAFE, Evidence-Based, Inclusive, Usable, Interoperable) for evaluating edtech products during procurement.
- EdTech Quality Collaborative Cross-organization initiative providing a comprehensive evaluation system and assessment tools for edtech quality, available to education leaders.
- K12 Instructional Materials Dashboard Online database of state-reviewed, full course instructional materials for English/Language Arts and math at secondary level, sortable by state, content area, grade level, format, publisher, and copyright date.
- DMAPS (Digital Instructional Materials Acquisition Policies for States) Online portal providing a clear picture of each state's instructional materials policies and practices to encourage increased implementation of digital learning.
- Navigating the Digital Shift Series of publications analyzing state policy trends related to digital instructional materials, essential conditions for implementation, and best practices for transitioning to digital learning.
- Professional Learning Resources Resource collection providing standards, Title II-A guidance, evidence-based approaches, methods, and a professional learning dashboard for educator development.
- Guide to Implementing Digital Learning (GIDL) Free web-based implementation guide supporting school and district leaders to ensure investments in digital learning deliver positive results.
- Broadband Imperative Reports Series of reports (Broadband Imperative I, II, III) advocating for equitable, reliable, robust broadband access both on and off campus to prepare all students for life and work.
- E-Rate Training Series Training series helping schools and districts navigate the federal E-Rate program for funding telecommunications and internet access.
- Improving Professional Learning Systems National Guide National guide addressing the gap between technology access and effective instructional use in schools, with Title II-A implementation guidance for state and local leadership.
Quantifiable outcome
- Only 27% of states were prepared to sustain K-12 digital access as federal programs ended (2025 report finding)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use SETDA
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
SETDA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
SETDA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting, platinum and gold.
- FullScalecoreCollaborated with SETDA on developing the national guide 'Improving Professional Learning Systems to Better Support Today's Educators' addressing technology training gaps.
- ISTE+ASCDcorePartnered with SETDA and Learning Forward on professional learning guide with support from Google.org, focusing on evidence-based strategies for educator development.
- Learning ForwardcoreCollaborated with SETDA and ISTE+ASCD on professional learning guide for Title II-A implementation with Google.org funding.
- Whiteboard AdvisorscoreCollaborated with SETDA on the 2025 State EdTech Trends report, capturing perspectives of edtech directors and state leaders across 47 states.
- CoSN (Consortium for School Networking)coreJoint advocacy with SETDA on E-Rate modernization and federal education technology policy, including joint USF comments to Congress.
- Digital PromisecoreEdTech Quality Collaborative (EQC) partner bringing together organizations with distinct expertise to address the challenge of assessing edtech quality. Developed the Framework for EdTech Quality Indicators (FEQI).
- EdSolutionssupportingPartnering with EQC and Delivery Associates in early 2026 to conduct a landscape scan of U.S.-based and international edtech validators.
- Delivery AssociatessupportingPartnering with EQC and EdSolutions to conduct needs assessment of education leaders and procurement officers.
- ClassLinkplatinumPlatinum corporate member with logo featured on SETDA website, providing single sign-on and identity management solutions for education.
- CDW EducationgoldGold corporate member providing technology solutions and services to K-12 education.
- ClevergoldGold corporate member providing secure single sign-on and interoperability solutions for education.
- Funds For LearninggoldGold corporate member specializing in E-Rate consulting and support services for schools and libraries.
- Instructure (Canvas)goldGold corporate member providing Canvas learning management system for K-12 education.
- LenovogoldGold corporate member providing educational technology devices and solutions.
- Safari MontagegoldGold corporate member providing video streaming and digital content solutions for K-12 education.
- SolarWindsgoldGold corporate member providing IT management and network monitoring solutions.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
SETDA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- CoSN (Consortium for School Networking): CoSN is a U.S. membership association for K-12 technology leaders, overlapping directly with SETDA's state-director constituency; the two organizations already co-advocate on E-Rate modernization and federal edtech policy, making them the closest peer and frequent collaborator/competitor.
- ISTE (now ISTE+ASCD): ISTE+ASCD is a large professional association for educators and education leaders focused on technology integration and professional learning; it overlaps with SETDA on Title II-A implementation work and AI-era educator development, and is a core strategic partner/competitor for SETDA's professional learning agenda.
- Learning Forward: Learning Forward is a professional association focused on educator professional learning standards; SETDA partners with Learning Forward on the Google.org-funded Title II-A implementation work, making it a direct peer in professional learning policy and standards.
- Digital Promise: Digital Promise is a nonprofit that works on edtech quality, equity, and innovation; it is SETDA's co-developer of the Framework for EdTech Quality Indicators (FEQI) through the EdTech Quality Collaborative, making it a direct peer in edtech standards-setting.
Broad incumbents
- Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO): CCSSO is the membership association for state education chiefs and a broader incumbent in K-12 policy; it overlaps with SETDA's state-agency constituency and shapes federal-state education policy, making it a peer in federal-state convening and advocacy.
- National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE): NASBE represents state boards of education and engages on K-12 digital learning, equity, and policy topics; it operates in the same state-level education policy space as SETDA and is a relevant broader-incumbent peer for state policy influence.
Emerging players
- EdSurge: EdSurge is an edtech media and research organization covering K-12 and higher-ed technology markets; it overlaps with SETDA's role as an information intermediary on edtech trends and is an emerging peer in edtech research dissemination.
- EducationSuperHighway: EducationSuperHighway is a nonprofit focused on broadband connectivity in K-12 schools; it overlaps with SETDA's Broadband Imperative and Equity of Access agenda, making it a peer on broadband equity advocacy and infrastructure.
- EdTech Evidence Exchange: EdTech Evidence Exchange is a nonprofit initiative focused on building evidence around edtech product effectiveness; it overlaps with SETDA's evidence-based dimension of FEQI and is an emerging peer in edtech quality research.
Others
- Whiteboard Advisors: Whiteboard Advisors is an education policy consulting firm that co-authored SETDA's 2025 State EdTech Trends Report; it is an adjacent consulting/services peer operating in the same K-12 edtech policy ecosystem.
Market position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks3 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SETDA social profiles
Digital presenceSETDA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SETDA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
SETDA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SETDA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SETDA
What does SETDA do?
SETDA is a nonprofit membership association that represents U.S. state and territorial educational technology directors. It produces research publications (such as the annual State EdTech Trends Report), develops evaluation frameworks (such as the Framework for EdTech Quality Indicators/FEQI), operates online policy and instructional materials portals (DMAPS, K12 Instructional Materials Dashboard), publishes implementation guides (Guide to Implementing Digital Learning, Broadband Imperative series), and convenes state leaders through events and training programs.
Is SETDA a public or private company?
SETDA is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was SETDA founded?
SETDA was founded in 2001. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is SETDA based?
SETDA is headquartered in Glen Burnie, United States, in the North America region.
How does SETDA make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are grants and Sponsorships.
Who are SETDA's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are CoSN (Consortium for School Networking), ISTE (now ISTE+ASCD), Learning Forward and Digital Promise. Broad incumbents are Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE). Emerging players are EdSurge, EducationSuperHighway and EdTech Evidence Exchange. Whiteboard Advisors is listed as an others.
Does SETDA have an API?
No public API is recorded for SETDA.