On Wednesday, the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) released its fourth-annual State EdTech Trends Report, which highlights how state education leaders are navigating the rapid rise of artificial intelligence while contending with post ESSER budget challenges. 

The findings underscore how states are emerging as the driving force in setting edtech priorities, from AI guardrails to broadband access. Their decisions will shape how technology supports learning for years to come.

🗓️ Join us for a webinar, where we’ll unpack the findings of the report on Thursday, September 25 at 2 p.m. ET!

📚 Join New York Times bestselling author Jeff Selingo for a virtual conversation on "A 'College Guide' for Kids Who Think Differently."

As more students (and parents!) question the traditional path to higher ed, counselors are fielding tough questions about new and “nontraditional” options—from gap years and AI bootcamps, to debt-free two-year programs and “startup” colleges.

Jeff will be joined by Carlos Carvalho, Tade Oyerinde, Jill Cook, and Lauren Camera to unpack what’s motivating today’s high schoolers to rethink their choices—and the range of opportunities they’re now considering.

🗓️ Tuesday, September 16 at 4 p.m. ET

On September 10, the House Appropriations Committee and the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a marathon full committee markup of the FY2026 appropriations bill, running from late morning until after midnight. Members debated dozens of amendments before advancing the legislation on a 35–28 party-line vote.  

The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced its FY 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) funding bill, rejecting many of the steep education cuts proposed in the President’s budget request. 

✅ Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and GEAR UP: Henry Cuellar’s (D-TX) amendment to continue funding for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and the GEAR UP program was approved by voice vote.

✅ Medical Education: Susie Lee’s (D-NV) amendment to extend continuing medical education for rural and community providers was approved by voice vote.

✅ Active Shooter Drills: Marie Gluesenkamp Perez’ (D-WA) amendment prohibiting the use of funding for student-involved drills without an opt-out was approved by voice vote.

✅ Job Corps: Lauren Underwood’s (D-IL) amendment to protect Job Corps centers from closure was approved by voice vote.

❌ Full Service Community Schools: Susie Lee’s (D-NV) amendment to maintain current funding levels for the Full Service Community Schools Grant Program was defeated on a roll call vote, 28–34.

❌ Childhood Vaccines: Rosa DeLauro’s (D-CT) amendment to expand access to childhood vaccines was defeated on a roll call vote, 27–33.

❌ Formula Grants: Mike Levin’s (D-CA) amendment requiring the Department of Education to award formula grant funding as soon as funds become available was defeated on a roll call vote, 28–34.

❌ Adult Education and Job Training: Frank Mrvan’s (D-IN) amendment to restore funding for Adult Education programs and Adult and Youth Job Training programs was defeated by voice vote.

The bill will now move to the House floor for debate and amendment. Even if it passes the House, the measure differs significantly from the Senate’s version and will require reconciliation. If the two chambers cannot reach agreement, lawmakers may rely on a continuing resolution (CR) to keep agencies funded beyond the September 30 fiscal year deadline.

Calling all early-stage edtech startups: The USC Rossier School of Education is accepting applications for the 8th cohort of its Education Technology Accelerator program, now through September 30!

This free, virtual program aims to nurture the growth of edtech startups through operational and technical assistance, strategic support, and product roadmap development and refinement. Participants also gain access to an extensive network of educators, investors, foundations, and others.

 On Tuesday, the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB) released the first postpandemic results from the Nation’s Report Card for 8th grade science and 12th grade reading and math. Scores declined across all three subjects, with the steepest drops among America’s lowest-performing students—a concerning, but unsurprising, result.

12th Grade Reading and Math: Both subjects saw average scores fall to their lowest points since the assessments began. 

8th Grade Science: For the first time since 2009, average scores declined, with significant drops for students at the 10th and 25th percentiles. Only 31% of 8th graders performed at or above Proficient.

Absenteeism: Nearly one-third of high school seniors reported missing three or more days of school in the prior month, up from 26% in 2019.

While the declines reflect long-standing trends predating the pandemic, they also underscore the urgent need to rethink how we prepare students for success after high school. Only one-third of seniors met NAEP’s benchmarks for college readiness in either math or reading.

As NAGB Executive Director Lesley Muldoon noted in her reflection on the data, the stakes couldn’t be higher: without stronger preparation in math, science, and literacy, students’ pathways to meaningful careers and civic engagement narrow dramatically.

What’s next: Next Thursday, September 18, the Senate HELP committee will hold a hearing on the state of K-12 and the NAEP results. You can watch the hearing live here.

Our team will continue to track these trends closely and highlight how states, districts, and partners are responding with urgency and innovation. Questions? Reach out to us.

Join Birmingham Promise on September 23 for an evening with the award-winning filmmakers behind the PBS docuseries “The Class”—which explores the challenges students encounter on their path to college and the extraordinary impact of caring adults who step in to guide them.

Ruth Severn Smith, education editor at AL.com, will moderate a conversation with film director Jaye Fenderson and recent college graduates, who will share their own journeys to and through college.

📍 Burr & Forman, 420 North 20th Street, Suite 3400, Birmingham, AL

🗓️ Tuesday, September 23, from 5–6:30 p.m. CT

Check out W/A Jobs, which features 3,554 career opportunities from 310 organizations across the education industry. A few roles that caught our eye over the past week: