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| April 28, 2026 |
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| Edtech news for those building the future of edtech
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The proposed Next Generation Technology High School in Manhattan, which was to serve as a model for AI-centric education, is now on hold following strong parental opposition, New York City Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels says. The school would have opened with about 100 ninth-graders and expanded to 450 over several grades, offering courses in AI, robotics, computer science and advanced mathematics while helping students become "ethical users of A.I," the district has said.
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SmartTake: NYC Public Schools skipped a crucial step on the way to realizing what may have been a good idea: Stakeholders weren't a big enough part of the planning, leading to "a groundswell of opposition to the rapid adoption of the technology and its potential harms," Matthew Haag writes. Even the 22 members of an education oversight panel were likely going to vote against it on Wednesday, Chairman Gregory Faulkner says. "People are very nervous about the technology and how it is going to be used." Indeed, parents voiced intense concern about the safety, ethical implications and lack of transparency regarding AI tools in classrooms and potential data collection. The pressure from families emphasizes the need for more comprehensive discussions and transparency around the adoption of new educational technologies.
On the other side of the country, educators at recent education conferences in California also have noted a shift on AI in classrooms, pointing out that teachers and parents have become more skeptical and want more robust evidence of effectiveness. Some edtech firms have been adjusting by starting to provide better professional development, incremental classroom integration and ways to ensure more human involvement -- but this is all a signal that stepping back instead of rushing forward is going to be the wisest play.
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The Los Angeles Unified School District board voted to introduce a comprehensive screen time policy for students, requiring "developmentally appropriate guardrails on instructional technology for all grade levels," aiming to address concerns among parents and others over excessive digital exposure in classrooms. The measure also limits access to school-issued devices for younger students, restricts "student-led" use of streaming platforms such as YouTube and requires reporting by the district on its classroom technology contracts.
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| Edunomics parses the latest education financial data |
Federal, state and local revenues for education grew by more than 7% in fiscal year 2024, reaching more than $1 trillion for the first time, according to a new National Center for Education Statistics report. This marked revenue growth may not be sustained in future years, Georgetown University's Edunomics newsletter notes, given that such large jumps are rare. US school spending per pupil reached almost $18,000. Washington, D.C., New York and Vermont spent more than $30,000 per pupil, while Idaho spent the least at less than $13,000. The per-pupil spend reflects ongoing increases in both personnel and non-personnel expenses, such as utilities, insurance and technology, as well as student support and administrative roles, but it doesn't include capital, debt and construction costs. |
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A study by the National Institute for Early Education Research finds that virtual professional development for teachers can improve student outcomes. The study, conducted in New Jersey preschool classrooms using Teaching Strategies' curriculum, shows that teachers who received additional virtual PD reported higher morale and retention, and their students showed significant gains in language and math.
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AI does not directly reduce teachers' workloads, but it creates a greater sense of control, capability and confidence in engaging students, according to a study by David Marshall of Auburn University and Tim Pressley of Christopher Newport University. This, in turn, helps lower teachers' anxiety and makes their workloads seem more manageable. The authors caution that teacher confidence is not automatically built through one-off trainings; instead, ongoing, practical support and clear guidance are needed.
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Find out what makes a strong assessment system with our free Math Assessment Power Pack! You'll get a checklist of what to look for in assessments, fact vs. fiction guide, dyscalculia fact sheet, and our popular Asset-Based Assessment ebook. Download now |
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School districts are increasingly using data to identify gifted students, shifting from traditional methods that often favored high-achieving students from affluent backgrounds. This approach, termed "talent development," focuses on recognizing and nurturing all students' strengths and weaknesses.
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Wailuku Elementary School in Hawaii completed a technology upgrade this year, equipping all classrooms with 3D printing, interactive displays and global telescope access, and teachers already have reported better student engagement and classroom dynamics. Technology coordinator Amanda Wilson says the interactive boards make lessons more accessible and are becoming an essential part of daily instruction for regular and substitute educators.
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As artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent in education, teachers seeking jobs this year can expect questions about their experience and views on AI during interviews. Some school administrators offer insights in this article, saying they are looking for candidates who can navigate AI's impact on learning and demonstrate flexibility and a willingness to adapt to new technologies.
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AI is moving fast—your leadership should, too. With a curriculum redeveloped for every new cohort delivered by renowned UC Berkeley Faculty, our AI for Executives program shows where AI investment adds competitive value. FIND OUT MORE
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Manitoba, the Canadian province that banned cellphones in schools in 2024, may work toward keeping children away from social media and AI chatbots entirely by implementing a ban in schools, Education Minister Tracy Schmidt says. Premier Wab Kinew says the goal is to protect youth from the negative effects of technology, although some people warn that a total ban on AI could be counterproductive.
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Chegg, valued at $14.7 billion at its 2021 peak, has seen its market value plummet to slightly over $100 million as generative AI has disrupted its core business. The company has responded with layoffs, leadership changes and attempts to integrate AI, but these efforts have struggled to compete with the rapid advancement of general-purpose AI tools.
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KickUp, an edtech startup based in Philadelphia that is designed to personalize professional development and training, has worked with 300,000 educators in almost 200 school districts across 30 states. The platform helps teachers discover and register for professional development opportunities and allows them to set goals and track their credentials. Principals can use the platform to make classroom observations, while district leaders can assess the effects of professional learning.
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When Jacob Shaul, a California high-school student, saw that many students in his area lacked access to coding, computer science and technology education, he founded a program to bring coding to other young people around the globe. His program was initially turned down by many school leaders, but eventually, one school gave him a shot. His
volunteer-led program has now taught coding to about 1,000 students across multiple countries. The initiative, run by student instructors, focuses on interactive learning and partnerships with schools and organizations serving underserved communities.
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Top stories from last week's newsletter
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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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