ISTE+ASCD Names 2026-27 Voices of Change Fellows
ISTE and ASCD have announced the 2026‑27 Voices of Change Fellowship, selecting six K‑12 educators from across the United States to share first‑person insights on AI, technology, and equity in education. The fellows—ranging from a technology integration facilitator to a school principal—will produce essays, articles and videos on EdSurge throughout the academic year. Their stories will address responsible AI use, data‑driven instruction, and digital citizenship, highlighting innovative practices that reshape classrooms. The cohort follows a 2025‑26 group whose work on mental health and engagement set a precedent for the program.
Quality Concerns Remain as States Invest More Than Ever in Preschool Programs
The National Institute of Early Education Research’s 2025 Yearbook shows state‑funded preschool enrollment hitting a record 1.8 million children. Total state spending rose to nearly $14.4 billion, with California, New Jersey and New York accounting for about 45 percent of the outlay. Despite higher spending,...
I Built Radical Possibility in Schools — and It Nearly Broke Me
The author, a Black educator and Voices of Change fellow, chronicles her journey using radical pedagogy and DEI initiatives to transform a Cincinnati Montessori school. She highlights four essays that explored Black literature, joy, and hair discrimination, culminating in a...
Returning to What It Means to Make School Human Again
Five years after a pandemic‑induced wave of teacher demoralization, an instructional coach reflects on how schools can become truly human again. The author argues that a school’s humanity depends on the entire campus ecosystem—teachers, counselors, custodians, and support staff—working together...
The Digital Accessibility Deadline Is Here. Schools Aren’t Ready.
The federal Title II ADA rule requiring K‑12 schools and districts to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards takes effect on April 24, 2026, with smaller districts facing a 2026 deadline and larger ones 2027. A recent NSPRA survey shows only 14% of districts have...
Why the Social Media Addiction Case Isn’t Over Yet
A California jury concluded that Meta and Google were negligent in designing Instagram and YouTube features that foster addiction among teens, awarding $6 million in damages. Internal emails revealed company awareness of risks, while Snapchat and TikTok settled earlier. The ruling...
Some Advocates Concerned As States Push for Cameras in Special Education Classrooms
A wave of legislation in Florida, Iowa, Maryland, South Carolina and Tennessee seeks to install surveillance cameras in self‑contained special‑education classrooms, following earlier laws in Texas, Louisiana, West Virginia, Georgia and Alabama. Proponents argue cameras provide objective evidence to curb...
The Fellowship That Taught Me Good Teaching Doesn’t Require Perfection
The Voices of Change writing fellowship taught the author that effective teaching thrives on vulnerability, not perfection. Through a series of personal essays—including stories about unexpected classroom moments, neurodivergence, and broader topics like AI—the fellow discovered that authentic storytelling strengthens...
Too Many Tools, Not Enough Impact: Districts Rethink Their Edtech Stacks
School districts, exemplified by Chicago’s District 15, are auditing their sprawling edtech stacks as budgets tighten and screen‑time concerns rise. Leaders are shifting from buying tools for novelty to proving instructional impact, using frameworks like SETDA’s EdTech Quality Action Toolkit....
National Survey of Parents Identifies Barriers to Family Well-Being
Capita, in partnership with YouGov, launched the Quarterly Insights from American Families survey, interviewing 1,000 parents of children under 18 between February 2‑16, 2026. The baseline findings reveal widespread economic strain, with over a third fearing food shortages and many...
When a Box Is No Longer a Castle: Restoring Wonder in a Screen-Filled World
The piece notes that preschoolers now ask, “What is it supposed to be?” when presented with a plain cardboard box, signaling a loss of spontaneous imagination caused by pervasive screen exposure. It argues that highly structured, digital‑heavy environments replace open‑ended...
Why NYC Schools Invested in Coaching for Staff Outside the Classroom
New York City’s Department of Education launched a district‑wide executive coaching program for central‑office staff, partnering with BetterUp to offer both human and AI‑driven sessions. The initiative, introduced after pandemic‑induced uncertainty, aims to build agency, agility and clarity among employees...
With Teens Comfortable Confiding in AI, Should Schools Embrace It for Mental Health Care?
Middle schools are turning to AI‑enabled therapy platforms like Alongside to fill mental‑health staffing gaps, with counselors receiving automated alerts when students type concerning language. In Putnam County, Florida, a severe alert led a counselor to intervene and prevent a...
Why District Leaders Are Rethinking Education Research and Policy
District leaders are confronting tighter budgets and limited margins for error, prompting a shift toward embedding education research and development (R&D) directly into district operations. Initiatives like Digital Promise's League of Innovative Schools provide real‑time data tools and collaborative networks...