- Artificial Intelligence
States and districts are taking different approaches to AI in education: Florida’s responsible-use approach spans prekindergarten through college, Illinois has issued nonbinding K-12 guidance, and New York City has announced a generative AI moratorium in public schools. Missouri is expanding access to free AI training and tools while leaving school adoption decisions local, and Massachusetts is expanding paid AI internships for 400 students through a $500,000 public-private investment. In higher education, Idaho has announced seven AI innovation awards across five colleges and universities.
- Career and Technical Education
States are expanding career pathways and hands-on learning through grants, new facilities and work placements, including apprenticeships and work-based learning in Florida, paid AI internships in Massachusetts and a manufacturing lab at Mililani High School in Hawaii. Pennsylvania awarded $3.5 million to broaden career pathways, while Mississippi launched a statewide initiative connecting classroom lessons with college and careers for the 2026–27 school year. Rhode Island and Maryland are working with Advance CTE to expand pathway access with student participation in program and policy design. At the federal level, a stopgap spending measure maintained Perkins V career and technical education funding at current levels through December 11.
- School Leadership
State and district education leaders are making appointments and involving teachers and students in governance: Florida named a new education commissioner, New York City appointed an early childhood deputy chancellor, Missouri added its first active classroom teacher to the state board, and Illinois selected a student advisory council. Technology policies differ across jurisdictions, with New York City announcing a generative AI moratorium while Illinois issued nonbinding AI guidance and Connecticut recommended bell-to-bell limits on personal devices without a statewide mandate. Illinois increased school funding and awarded teacher recruitment and retention grants, while New York City expanded pre-K special education and Mississippi began implementing statewide math and adolescent literacy initiatives for 2026–27. Maryland reported a four-year decline in chronic absenteeism.
- Literacy Reform
Connecticut is expanding K–3 reading interventions and educator coaching through a five-year, $10 million grant covering 75 elementary schools, while Massachusetts is continuing early literacy tutoring funding for 338 schools and awarded nearly $25 million for literacy instruction. Nine Pennsylvania teacher preparation programs received accreditation aligned with structured literacy standards, and Mississippi designated science-of-reading schools and is implementing a statewide adolescent literacy initiative for 2026–27. Indiana reported its fifth consecutive year of rising literacy rates, while Colorado reported elementary literacy gains alongside persistent achievement gaps and declining middle school English language arts scores. In Maine, the number of students earning biliteracy recognition rose 18 percent, and the number of high schools offering it grew 11.5 percent.
- Early Childhood
Early childhood education is part of leadership changes and broader education policy efforts in Massachusetts, Florida and New York City. Massachusetts appointed universal preschool leaders to its Foundation Budget Review Commission, issued PROTECT Act guidance for schools and child care providers, and partnered with Project Bread to provide free meals in child care and afterschool programs. New York City is expanding pre-K special education and appointed a new deputy chancellor for early childhood education. Florida’s approach to responsible AI use in education includes voluntary prekindergarten alongside K-12 schools and colleges.
- State Education Policy
States are using new laws and nonbinding guidance to address access to schools and books, student devices and artificial intelligence. Massachusetts enacted laws aimed at preventing book bans in schools and libraries and keeping federal immigration enforcement officers out of schools, hospitals and courthouses. Connecticut adopted guidance recommending bell-to-bell limits on students’ personal devices and addressing classroom screen time, while Illinois issued a framework for district decisions on AI in teaching and operations; neither sets statewide classroom mandates.
