Buyer's Checklist
A comprehensive RFP-style evaluation criteria list for K–12 content filtering. Work through each category with your IT team, curriculum leads, and administrators. When filled out honestly, only one vendor checks every box.
K-12 Content Filter Buyer's Checklist
A comprehensive RFP-style evaluation criteria list for K-12 content filtering. Work through each category with your IT team, curriculum leads, and administrators. When filled out honestly, only one vendor checks every box.
Critical — must-have for CIPA compliance and baseline safety
Important — significantly impacts effectiveness
Nice to Have — adds meaningful value
1. Filtering Fundamentals 5 criteria
Filters across ALL device types — Windows, Mac, Chromebook, iOS, Android, and BYOD
Lightspeed Filter ✓
Works on-network AND off-network — at home, on hotspots, and on cellular without a VPN
Lightspeed Filter ✓
Filters encrypted HTTPS/SSL traffic — not just DNS-level domain blocking
Lightspeed Filter ✓
Supports DNS-level filtering as a fallback — for network-level coverage in addition to device-level
Lightspeed Filter ✓
Provides real-time filtering with no meaningful latency impact on student browsing experience
Lightspeed Filter ✓
2. Content Categories & Controls 6 criteria
Granular category-level blocking — not just allowlist/blocklist; hundreds of content categories configurable by policy
Lightspeed Filter ✓
AI tool policy controls — ability to block or allow ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Gemini, and other AI tools by user or group
Lightspeed Filter ✓
URL, domain, and app-level controls — block or allow specific URLs, domains, and installed applications
Lightspeed Filter ✓
Time-based filtering rules — e.g., block social media during school hours, allow after-hours access for specific groups
Lightspeed Filter ✓
Grade-level and role-based filtering policies — different rules for K–5 vs. 6–8 vs. 9–12 vs. staff
Lightspeed Filter ✓
Parent/guardian controls and visibility — parents can view and optionally adjust their child's at-home browsing activity
Lightspeed Filter ✓
3. Safety & Compliance 5 criteria
CIPA compliant — meets Children's Internet Protection Act requirements for E-rate funding eligibility
Lightspeed Filter ✓
Student safety monitoring — detects self-harm, violence, bullying, and crisis-related keywords in real time
Lightspeed Filter ✓
Real-time alerts to counselors and admins — immediate notification when at-risk behavior is detected, not next-day reports
Lightspeed Filter ✓
Audit logs maintained for compliance and e-discovery — searchable, exportable activity history
Lightspeed Filter ✓
FERPA-compliant data handling — student data is not sold or used for advertising; compliant data processing agreements available
Lightspeed Filter ✓
4. Reporting & Visibility 4 criteria
Real-time dashboards for admins — live activity views, not delayed batch reports
Lightspeed Filter ✓
Per-student, per-class, and per-school reporting — drill down from district-level to individual student activity
Lightspeed Filter ✓
Scheduled and exportable reports — automated delivery to principals, compliance officers, and school board
Lightspeed Filter ✓
Trending risky behavior surfaced district-wide — proactively identifies patterns across schools before they become incidents
Lightspeed Filter ✓
5. Hardware & Infrastructure 3 criteria
Vendor offers managed hardware — student devices, managed Wi-Fi access points, routers, and switches available from the same vendor
Lightspeed Filter ✓
Integrates with existing network infrastructure — works alongside current hardware without forklift upgrades
Lightspeed Filter ✓
Supports both cloud-managed and on-prem deployment options — flexibility for districts with strict data residency requirements
Lightspeed Filter ✓
6. Integration & Management 5 criteria
Integrates with Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 — including identity, calendar, and classroom tools
Lightspeed Filter ✓
Syncs with SIS and rostering systems — Clever, ClassLink, and direct SIS integrations for automatic user/group provisioning
Lightspeed Filter ✓
Supports Single Sign-On (SSO) — no separate credentials for admins, teachers, or students
Lightspeed Filter ✓
Policies can be pushed via MDM — compatible with Jamf, Intune, Google Admin, and other MDM platforms
Lightspeed Filter ✓
Student-facing app or portal — students can view their own activity, request site unblocks, or access resources
Lightspeed Filter ✓
7. Support & Partnership 4 criteria
Dedicated K-12 support team — support staff who understand school environments, not shared enterprise help desks
Lightspeed Filter ✓
Onboarding and training included — structured implementation support for IT staff, admins, and teachers
Lightspeed Filter ✓
Named account manager assigned — a dedicated contact who knows your district, not a rotating support queue
Lightspeed Filter ✓
Proven K-12 track record — verifiable references from districts of similar size and complexity; not a general-purpose enterprise vendor
Lightspeed Filter ✓
Critical criteria checked: 0 / 0
Scoring Guide
See how many Critical criteria your current vendor cannot check. Then visit lightspeedsystems.com to learn more.
0Gaps
1–3Review
4+Rethink