3 trends that will shape ed tech in 2026

School districts will need to be more critical of ed tech tools as vendors face more aggressive accountability demands this year, say K-12 tech experts. 

By Anna Merod • Jan. 28, 2026

Private school choice could ‘undermine’ special education gains, COPAA says

A new report recommends that states inform parents of any education and civil rights that may be lost if they participate in a private school choice program.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 27, 2026

Should dyslexia be its own IDEA category? These bipartisan bills say yes

Supporters say the change would improve dyslexia identification practices, but critics worry it could delay interventions and lead to misidentification.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 27, 2026

What you need to know about private school choice

State-led programs that use taxpayer funds for private school tuition have expanded rapidly. A new federal program will add even more options.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 26, 2026

Week In Review: Bipartisan agreement reached on Ed Dept funding plan for FY26

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from natural disaster best practices to policy and legal trends to watch this year.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 26, 2026

Test yourself on the past week’s K-12 news

From enrollment challenges to a bipartisan budget proposal, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 23, 2026

For students with disabilities, the Office for Civil Rights is often the last line of defense

Efforts to shutter the Education Department threaten to sever lifelines that protect students furthest from privilege and opportunity, writes one expert.

By Jennifer Coco • Jan. 23, 2026

Natural disasters will happen. What to do before — and after — one strikes your school.

NWEA’s playbook suggests that schools develop a recovery plan and build relationships with community groups before any severe climate event occurs.

By Anna Merod • Jan. 23, 2026

Education Department halts effort to implement controversial anti-DEI letter

The agency dropped its appeal of a court ruling against guidance aimed at ending race-based programs in schools.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 22, 2026

As student enrollment declines, a look at public school closures

We’re tracking districts’ plans to shutter or consolidate schools amid enrollment pressure from falling birthrates and growing school choice.

By Anna Merod • Updated Feb. 12, 2026

4 education legal and policy trends to watch in 2026

From civic education advocacy to religious public schools, here’s what K-12 leaders can expect in the legal and policy spheres.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 21, 2026

Bipartisan K-12 budget proposal would stall gutting of Education Department

Senate and House leaders reject Trump administration plans to outsource management of Education Department programming.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 20, 2026

Trump 2.0: A sea change for K-12

From Education Department downsizing to a variety of legal battles, take a month-by-month look at how the federal approach to K-12 has shifted.

By Kara Arundel , Anna Merod , Naaz Modan , Roger Riddell • Jan. 20, 2026

Week In Review: School shootings drop and SCOTUS hears trans athletics cases

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from a slew of new Title IX probes to debates over tech in schools.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 20, 2026

Senators discuss school tech limits amid youth mental health crisis

Two witnesses went so far as to suggest curbing 1:1 device rollouts in a Thursday Senate committee hearing.

By Anna Merod • Jan. 16, 2026

Test yourself on the past week’s K-12 news

From school meal beverages to U.S. Department of Education investigations, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 16, 2026

House hearing: Is now a good time to regulate AI in schools?

House education committee members found consensus on student risks, though Republicans raised concerns about hindering innovation.

By Anna Merod • Jan. 15, 2026

How can we create the conditions to inspire young leaders to say ‘yes’ to teaching careers?

Innovative staffing models may be part of the solution, writes the executive director of Teach For America Bay Area in California.

By Beatrice Viramontes • Jan. 15, 2026

Poll shows most teens oppose classroom cellphone bans

Despite teens’ perceptions, states and districts say the restrictions lead to better teacher satisfaction and improved school climate.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 15, 2026

Education Department launches 18 Title IX transgender athlete investigations

The new string of investigations into some public schools and colleges comes on the heels of a U.S. Supreme Court hearing on the issue this week.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 14, 2026

K-12 facilities need $90B to close maintenance, capital investment shortfall

Schools should be spending 7% of their budgets on facilities, but they’re not close to that, according to the 2025 State of Our Schools report.

By Robert Freedman • Jan. 14, 2026

Supreme Court weighs thorny issues in state transgender athlete bans

Liberal and conservative justices weighed what a Title IX decision would mean for other areas of education, like remedial classes for underperforming boys.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 13, 2026

Character.AI, Google agree to mediate settlements in wrongful teen death lawsuits

The lawsuits “are tragic reminders” that AI chatbots aren’t safe for minors seeking emotional support, says a media safety expert.

By Anna Merod • Jan. 13, 2026

Supreme Court to hear arguments in transgender student athlete cases

Justices on Tuesday will weigh whether Title IX protects transgender athletes or bans them from participating on teams aligning with their gender identity.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 12, 2026

Increasing rates of student loneliness present challenge for schools

One researcher suggests stronger support for social-emotional learning is needed to address the issue for all students.

By Ed Finkel • Jan. 12, 2026