A 2026 analysis of 35 districts found that 16 reduced, paused, or disrupted tutoring after federal pandemic relief funding ended, while 19 preserved or expanded their programs.

At an Illinois district, staff reach out as soon as they notice patterns of absences or declining attendance. District-wide attendance rose from 62% in 2022 to 88% in 2026.

As AI alters entry-level roles, Maria Flynn says schools and employers need to pay attention to the early rungs of the labor market. She discusses changing degree requirements, structured apprenticeships, and helping young people understand their options.

New Mexico data showed Amira flagging 16.7% of first graders as showing signs of dyslexia, compared with 45% under the previous computer-based screener. Jaime Casap argues that fewer false positives can help direct intervention to students who need it.

Educators and outside observers also question how much influence a private organization should have over the AI infrastructure on which other classroom products are built.

The education stories worth following usually start before everyone notices them. This Week with EdSurge follows the ideas and shifts shaping what comes next. 🎧 Listen at the link or wherever you get your podcasts.

Podcasts, Substack, and virtual literacy communities gave Court Shuller the inquiry and collaboration they were craving in professional learning. Eventually, they decided to contribute something of their own.

At Bartlett Academy in Oklahoma, free lunch applications are part of the orientation packet for all families, making the process routine. In Maryland, a principal sends applications home, makes them available at open houses, and shares information in her weekly newsletter.

A civil rights learning tour changed how Tambra Clark taught computer science. She returned to Birmingham determined to connect coding with the history and people surrounding her students every day.

Small and rural districts are recovering attendance rates faster than larger, more urban and suburban districts, a recent study found. Adam Stone reports on how educators in several districts are tackling chronic absenteeism.

Maria Flynn says schools should introduce career exploration in middle school to help students make informed choices by 11th grade. She also emphasizes strong core academics and durable skills, including adaptability, resilience, and the capacity to learn and relearn.

Lisle District 202 in Illinois used Learning Commons to build a formative math assessment app. Its Knowledge Graph helps provide more detailed reports on student progress and identify prerequisite skills students may need to revisit.

Many first-year teachers may not know to expect the “October Blues.” Mike Anderson says school leaders can acknowledge the slump, pay attention to workload, and look for ways to support teachers who are doing too much.

Schools may not always know when AI has been added to instructional materials they already use. Experts say vendors should clearly communicate updates and give districts more information about how new AI features affect instruction.