For millions of students across the country, the school day begins not with a textbook, but with a login screen. The i-Ready platform, which schools use for personalized reading and math instruction, has become a staple in today’s classroom, promising to help students grow through tailored lessons that reflect individual needs. But while students click through colorful modules, a federal class-action lawsuit has raised questions about how student data is collected and used.

The lawsuit, M.C.V. v. Curriculum Associates, alleges that the company collects detailed student data through the platform. While parents and teachers see a progress bar, the legal team representing the students claims the software is recording “micro-behaviors.” The allegations suggest that i-Ready tracks mouse movements, IP addresses, and even the exact number of seconds a student pauses before answering a question.

The allegations have raised concerns among some educators and parents, leaving teachers like Mrs. Harris caught between a tool they value and a company they are beginning to question.

“I am a little bummed about the whole thing because I do think i-Ready gives us some really great insight into where our students are,” said Mrs. Harris. “It’s unfortunate that they are in this situation. Again, it is all alleged at this point. I really enjoy what we have with i-Ready.”

The concern for many isn’t just that data is being collected, but how that data might define a child’s future. Some parents and students worry that extensive data collection could shape how students are academically categorized over time.

“The only thing I believe it is for, is to track your progress. So when you go to high school, they’ll know what level you’re at,” said student Shalan T. “I think parents need to know what apps the school is using.”

For some parents, the issue centers on consent and transparency surrounding educational technology. “I think if my kids are being tracked without my permission, that’s a big red flag, especially for a company,”  said Day Creek parent James Eiselstein.

The debate has led to calls for changes in how schools approve and communicate the use of educational apps. “Parents should have to sign a separate permission slip for every app. Maybe having it as an option might be beneficial to each parent’s needs,” said Day Creek parent Lisa Sayo, suggesting that the current “all-in” approach to school software needs to change.

Curriculum Associates, the U.S.- based edtech company that owns I-Ready, is not backing down. They have moved to dismiss the case, denying that they sell student data to third parties. They maintain that tracking is used for “adaptive learning,” which allows the program to adjust the difficulty of lessons in real time. According to the company, their practices comply with current federal safety and educational standards.

But the precedent for removing such programs already exists. Day Creek’s assistant principal Mr. Louis noted that the district has acted before when technology companies overstep.

“I can think of a program called IXL. Something very similar happened, and we no longer use IXL. I’m sure that if there is some actual wrongdoing on i-Ready’s part, the district will take it very seriously,” he said.

Mr. Louis emphasized that the district’s priority remains the safety of all students. “We would ultimately make a decision that would be in the best interests of our district, our kids, and our parents,” he said.

As of April 3, the legal battle remains active after accusers filed a formal opposition to the company’s motion to dismiss. The outcome of the case could affect how schools evaluate and use educational technology in the future.

“I think it would be disappointing to the school district after all the money that they’ve invested into this program, and then having to find something new and train their teachers,” said seventh-grade teacher Mr. Evans.

Until then, students will continue to log in every morning as the lawsuit moves through federal court. The ruling could shape future conversations about student privacy, educational technology, and data collection in schools.

“Hopefully we are able to resolve this issue or find another alternative because as teachers, we do need some way to access and check out where our students are at,” said Mrs. Harris.

This story was originally published on The Day Creek Howl on May 1, 2026.