IEN’s roundup of predictions for education in 2026 anticipates an accelerating impact for AI, further calls for school and system transformation, and continuing resistance and challenges for educational reform from changing conditions and political pressures. Last week’s post focused on reviews of some of the key issues and top trends experienced by schools and education systems in 2025. For New Year’s predictions for education from previous years see: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 part 1, 2021 part 2, and 2020.
Around the World
‘Systemic crisis’ comes for schools in Thailand, Bangkok Post
New order of education: Mapping the road ahead, Hindustan Times
“As India’s higher education system stands at a critical inflection point, shaped by rapid technological change, policy reforms and the demand for inclusion and global competitiveness, the HT Education Summit 2025 is set to bring together some of the most influential voices driving this transformation.”
Learning Trends 2026: The Big Academic Shifts Defining the Year, Hindustan Times
2026 Outlook: What’s next for education in Singapore?, Straits Times
Malaysia’s preschool curriculum in 2026 to focus on reading practices , The Star
“…she [Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek] said the initiative includes the creation of dedicated reading spaces in preschools to encourage parental involvement through reading activities.”
In the US
5 School Security Technology Trends to Watch in 2026, Campus Safety
Reflecting on 2025 and Looking Ahead to 2026, Center for Assessment
2026 prediction: AI may unleash the most entrepreneurial generation we’ve ever seen, Christensen Institute
“The same technology that allows big companies to run with far fewer people also lowers the barriers to entry for people who want to create value on their own.“
The top 5 areas where superintendents want to grow, District Administration
How AI will create new K12 opportunities in 2026, District Administration
Education in 2026: Where K–12 Schools Are Headed Next, Ed Circuit
“AI rules, cybersecurity, staffing, funding, and student well-being will shape K–12 education in 2026 as districts move from reaction to stability.”
School Funding: The 3 Big Questions to Watch in 2026, Education Week
Larry Ferlazzo’s 10 education predictions for 2026, Education Week
What’s Next: 7 Key Trends to Watch in the Education Market in 2026, Education Week
How Reading Instruction Evolved in 2025, and What’s Ahead, Education Week
11 Critical Issues Facing Educators in 2026, Peter DeWitt & Michael Nelson, Education Week
Undocumented Students Still Have a Right to Education. Will That Change in 2026? Education Week
25 predictions about AI and edtech, eSchool News
“As generative AI technologies evolve, educators are moving away from fears about AI-enabled cheating and are embracing the idea that AI can open new doors for teaching and learning.”
All gas, no brakes: Tech predictions for 2026, Forbes
Some predictions about AI in education in 2026, Emily Freitag, Thomas B. Fordham Institute
What will employee learning look like in 2026? HR Drive
What We Got Right and Wrong in Our 2025 Predictions, Inside Philanthropy
What next? 2026 trends and predictions for philanthropy & civil society, Inside Philanthropy
6 trends to watch for K-12 in 2026, K12 Dive
“Enrollment concerns, growing school choice competition, data privacy and new federal policy priorities are among a slew of challenges facing public schools.”
School shootings dropped in 2025. Here’s what to know for 2026, K-12 Dive
What education news will break in 2026? Six issues we’re watching, MSN
Trump’s next plan for the US education system: Lots and lots of rules, Politico
4 Early Care and Education Issues to Watch in 2026, The 74
Student Civil Rights Took Center Stage in 2025. Here’s What’s on the Horizon, The 74
10 Useful Tech Tools for Educators in 2026: A Practical Guide, The 74
5 early ed highlights from 2025, The Hechinger Report
3 Education Fights That Aren’t Going Away in 2026, Word in Black
“K-12 public schools have been through the wringer thanks to a trio of unprecedented disruptions that have rocked teachers and students alike. And in 2026, these high-stakes battles will likely continue.”
In the states
7 Colorado education issues we’re watching in 2026, Chalkbeat Colorado
Child care, class sizes, mayoral control: Albany’s education agenda in 2026, ChalkBeat New York
Strikes, cuts, state superintendent race: Our 2026 California education predictions, EdSource
11 new laws that will impact California schools in 2026, EdSource
Education bills in the hopper for 2026 session, Florida Phoenix
New year, new priorities: It’s time to fix Michigan’s special education funding, Michigan Advance
International Education News 