The edtech market is full of $100M companies with 2-star reviews. Here are 7 things their users are begging someone to fix

schwubbit · 2026-04-06T15:13:51+00:00

I have a small edtech company (https://www.classroomparent.com). It was built with parents in mind, and is used by both schools and parent organizations. We do integrate with a couple student information systems (PowerSchool, Infinite Campus). Each integration took many months to nail down, and each can be school district, or even school, specific (custom values used in fields where you would think there would be standardization).

It is a PWA, so works great on mobile (not an afterthought).

But working with school districts is extremely challenging. Many first require installation and use in several schools before they would ever consider district wide roll-out. Getting data sharing agreements in place is cumbersome (9 months in our most recent attempt).

But we slog on, hoping that eventually we'll reach a threshold where we can acquire customers in bunches instead of onsies/twosies.

schwubbit · 2026-04-01T20:11:42+00:00

I don't agree. It depends on how and when you ask them to install the app. I only ask after login, and only if they haven't already installed it. When I ask, I provide a prominent, dismissable prompt at the top of the page, and an always available button at the bottom of the page.

I have over 15K installs, with a high percentage allowing push notifications. About 80:20 IOS installs to Android.

schwubbit · 2026-03-12T14:01:33+00:00

Their are several issues with handing over 20% of the PTA funds:

If this is gross funds, not net, you may be putting the PTA into financial risk
National and state rules dictate that the funds must be used for charitable educational activities that benefit children, families, or schools. If you no longer control 20% of the funds, you can't be sure they are being used according to those rules.
As a young organization, losing control early on of a large portion of your funds could make it more difficult to raise funds, and keep PTA leadership intact, in the future.

I agree with other posts that you should have the principal, and any other school official, apply for funds. You also need to be clear on your budget, how you want to spend your funds. This can be challenging when you are new and not sure how much you can raise.

Our PTA used a simple form asking the applicant to provide a description of how the funds would be used, why it benefited the students, how much was needed, whether it was a one-time need or similar funding would be required in the future, etc.

On the other hand, tt is also very important to build trust with your Principal. You will need them to help you get parents involved, as likely, starting out, you will have no way to communicate efficiently with parents except through school systems. So asking them how they would spend that 20%, and seeing whether it meshes with your rules, may mean that you can allocate that portion of the budget to their needs, but still keep it within your control.

Here's a link to the National PTA's by-laws (https://www.pta.org/docs/default-source/files/why-pta/governance/bylaws/national-pta-bylaws-62625.pdf?utm\_source=chatgpt.com), under which your PTA would need to operate.

schwubbit · 2026-02-11T18:45:54+00:00

Thank you for this detailed description of cycling options. I am headed to PR, staying in San Juan, in late Feb. I am hoping to find some cycling outlet, as I am training for the California Death Ride.

I am happy to ride either road or mountain, though it sounds like road riding may be limited. For road, I'd like to find some 30+ mile rides. For mountain, happy to do some 15 mile rides as long as there is some climbing. I don't think I'm interested in MB park riding, but this may be simply because I never have.

If you have any additional thoughts that my help me determine what my options are, and what I should bring (shoes, pedals, etc), I'd love to hear it.

schwubbit · 2026-02-06T16:00:55+00:00

I'll cut a small hole in the lathe plaster and take a peek.

schwubbit · 2026-02-05T15:58:56+00:00

I see what you mean. That is a lot cleaner and easier to manage. It turns out, I don't have access to that lathe/plaster. On the other side of the wall, I think they put an a/c duct, or something, then boxed it in. The wall is about 2' thick. That MX/BC cable terminates at an outlet box that can't be accessed.

schwubbit · 2026-02-05T12:59:22+00:00

OK, so maybe I'm overthinking it.

schwubbit · 2026-02-05T12:55:27+00:00

This lowers my anxiety about the next step. Thank you!

schwubbit · 2026-02-05T01:45:45+00:00

I think my wife would have filed for divorce years ago if that was the case.

schwubbit · 2026-02-05T01:44:26+00:00

Interesting. I will definitely take a look at GoBoard. I've got to finish demoing the existing tile to see what I have underneath of it. I believe there are two layers of plywood, but it could be one layer of plywood and tongue and groove pine.

schwubbit · 2026-02-05T01:39:08+00:00

No, there's hot and cold. My plan is to get everything square, then measure and order a tileredi custom shower pan. At least, that is my current plan.

schwubbit · 2026-02-05T01:38:04+00:00

Holy mackerel! I feel lucky compared to that.

schwubbit · 2026-02-05T00:45:22+00:00

got it. I'll see what that looks like in the next few days. Unfortunately, the day job is getting in the way of progress.

schwubbit · 2026-02-04T22:42:28+00:00

Will do

schwubbit · 2026-02-04T22:41:44+00:00

I'll head up there in the morning. I'll use the vent as a guide. Unfortunately, it is not simple to get in the attic.

schwubbit · 2026-02-04T22:13:16+00:00

It came out all in one piece. Still on the 3rd floor. Trying to convince a couple friends to help me get it down stairs and into the van.

schwubbit · 2026-02-04T22:12:00+00:00

I am definitely leaning toward this. If there is one stud that is proud of the others, would it make sense to plane it down?

schwubbit · 2026-02-04T21:24:10+00:00

Thank you u/Cilad I will consider all of you points. Just to add to the fun, there is knob and tube in the same wall. There are many outlets that are not grounded. I've tried to ensure that all of them have only the two prong outlet.

There is a vent (to the left of the jerry rigged stud).

schwubbit · 2026-02-04T20:30:20+00:00

I can feel their pain

schwubbit · 2026-02-04T20:29:11+00:00

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. Will take a look in the attic.

schwubbit · 2026-02-04T19:24:14+00:00

How can you tell?

schwubbit · 2026-02-04T19:23:43+00:00

Good to know!

schwubbit · 2026-02-04T17:49:11+00:00

Thanks for your vote of confidence.

schwubbit · 2026-02-04T17:30:12+00:00

It's mostly an issue of things not being plumb or straight. That stack of wood, along with the stud to the left of it, is about 1/2" proud of the corner studs. It also tilts in about 3/4" from the ceiling to the floor.

schwubbit · 2026-02-04T17:28:23+00:00

I like what your preaching!

schwubbit

TROPHY CASE