ISTE Standards
…and why they should matter to you.
The ISTE Standards for Educators have evolved over several decades as technology has become increasingly central to teaching and learning. Originally introduced in the late 1990s as the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS), their purpose was to help educators integrate emerging digital tools into instruction in meaningful and developmentally appropriate ways. As technology advanced and digital literacy grew in importance, ISTE revised the standards multiple times to reflect new expectations for teaching, learning, and digital citizenship in a constantly changing digital world. Today, the ISTE Standards offer a forward-thinking vision for effective technology integration, guiding educators toward practices that empower students to thrive in a technology-driven society.
ISTE Standards should matter deeply to teachers because they provide a clear framework for using technology with purpose, responsibility, and equity. In an era when digital tools are constantly evolving, the ISTE Standards enable educators to move beyond merely incorporating technology for its own sake. Instead, they guide teachers to make intentional choices that enhance learning, foster creativity, and support students in developing the skills they need for a digital world. When teachers consider the ISTE Standards before implementing new tools, they are better able to evaluate whether the technology truly supports instructional goals, aligns with best practices, and contributes to meaningful student outcomes.
One of the most essential components of the ISTE Standards is Digital Citizenship. As educators, we have an obligation to prepare students not only to use technology but to use it safely, ethically, and responsibly. Students today are growing up in an online environment where issues such as privacy, cyberbullying, misinformation, and digital footprints are part of their everyday lives. The ISTE Standards remind teachers that teaching digital citizenship is not optional—it is a critical part of developing informed, thoughtful, and empowered learners. By modeling appropriate digital behavior and embedding digital citizenship lessons into instruction, educators help students navigate digital spaces with integrity and awareness.
Ultimately, the ISTE Standards support teachers in creating technology-rich learning environments that are intentional, inclusive, and future-focused. When teachers use these standards to guide their practice, they ensure that technology strengthens learning rather than distracts from it—and that students become not just consumers of technology, but responsible and capable digital citizens.
To read the full list of ISTE Standards, here are some helpful links:
CA State Standards for Technology Use:
Digital Learning Integration & Standards Guidance
San Luis Obispo County Office of Education Digital Learning:
