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| September 22, 2026 |
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| Edtech news for those building the future of edtech
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Growing demand for data center capacity is propelling investment in AI infrastructure. Gartner estimates spending in this category will reach $1.5 trillion this year -- roughly 56% of total AI investments for 2026. For every dollar spent on generative AI tools, organizations will spend $52 on infrastructure. That's not to say that generative AI models won't see a revenue spike. They will -- about a 117% increase. John Waters breaks it down in our top story in Scanning the News. Also in this issue:
💻 New open platform tackles edtech development headache
🏫 Buffalo schools shift to digital report cards
📖 Education Department releases guide for state decisions
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| (Bevan Goldswain/Getty Images) |
Learning Commons, a nonprofit supported by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, has introduced an open platform to help resolve a long-standing challenge in edtech product development: integrating state academic standards and evidence-based teaching methods into products. The platform, which features datasets, curricula and evaluation tools, aims to simplify the process of creating materials aligned with state standards. The launch includes partnerships with organizations such as Canva Education and OKO Labs.
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Bett USA brings educators, leaders and innovators together to exchange bold ideas, discover new solutions and shape what's next for K-12 education. Join us in Nashville, November 8–10, 2027. Discover Bett USA! |
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| Large data center campus being built in Hutto TX (BackyardProduction/Getty Images) |
Worldwide AI spending is projected to reach $2.67 trillion in 2026, reflecting a 49.5% increase from the previous year, according to Gartner's latest forecast. The report highlights a notable upward revision in estimates throughout the year, with most of the additional $143 billion in spending attributed to infrastructure needs. While generative AI models remain prominent, the bulk of investment continues to be driven by the underlying systems and services that power AI deployments globally.
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School board governance serves as the foundational framework for district culture, shaping everything from strategic direction to daily operations. The board's responsibilities--such as setting vision, adopting policies, approving budgets, and hiring the superintendent--send clear messages about what the district values. These governance decisions establish systems, priorities, and expectations that impact every level of the organization, even though most employees and students may never interact directly with board members. The way boards conduct public meetings and manage their relationship with the superintendent further reinforces organizational norms and standards, demonstrating the board's lasting influence on the district's ethos and effectiveness.
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Buffalo Public Schools will send students' report cards digitally this year, using the Infinite Campus platform to save $27,000 and deliver grades more efficiently. The biggest challenge is enrolling parents in the parent portal, as only 10% currently use it. Paper copies will be available upon request.
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The Lake Pend Oreille School District in Idaho has opened a career and technical education center at Sandpoint High School using a $3.5 million grant from the state education department. The center offers students a space for programs such as sports medicine, nursing assistance, carpentry and computer network support.
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The US Education Department has introduced the Learning Agenda Playbook to help states with program improvement and problem-solving as the department reduces its federal footprint. The playbook, developed with eight pilot states, includes case studies and templates for setting goals and measuring progress.
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Reading recovery has largely worked in this country, except for this one group. The fixes that worked for younger readers were never designed to reach kids once they're already behind in middle school.
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Free professional learning designed to help educators in K-12 and higher education build practical AI knowledge and skills through short, flexible learning experiences.
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The Call for Participation for ISTELive 27, June 27-30 in Boston, is now open online! Submit your session idea by September 30, 2026.
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| About ISTE Solutions Network |
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| The Solutions Network a member-based community that aims to 1) connect innovative solution providers to one another to learn, explore, and share best practices, 2) engage with the ISTE/ASCD member community to gather feedback and increase the impact of high-quality learning solutions, 3) engage in thought leadership conversations and 4) provide benefits for the annual ASCD + ISTE conference, where approximately 16,000 educators, decision-makers, and vendors convene. This community is made up of edtech companies of various sizes that are interested in engaging with each other and with ISTE to discuss Edtech’s role in teaching and learning, industry trends, and solve common challenges. Members of this network can benefit from connecting with industry experts and thought leaders, as well as from gaining key buyer information and insights.
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| Product announcements appearing in SmartBrief are paid advertisements and do not reflect actual ASCD + ISTE endorsements. The news reported in SmartBrief does not necessarily reflect the official position of ASCD + ISTE.
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| I wake up every morning with a decent amount of anxiety thinking that I didn't do nearly enough good work yesterday and how ... am I going to be inspired enough today to do the work I'm supposed get done by tomorrow. |
Duncan Sheik,
singer, songwriter, composer
1969-2026 |
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