Tag Archives: Predictions

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

What’s ahead in 2026 for Chicago Public Schools, WGN9

AI, cellphones, and security – those are a few of the issues highlighted in this IEN’s scan of the predictions about education in 2025. To see the predictions for previous years, review the scans of the “looking ahead” headlines from 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 part 1, 2021 part 2, and 2020. To discuss the trends and possibilities for education in the new year join Getting Smart’s annual town hall What’s Next in Learning 2025.

The education sources we follow in the US often provide predictions for schools, students, and teachers in the new year, but it’s been harder to find articles looking ahead from other parts of the world. The Ministry of Education in New Zealand, however, did offer a summary of What’s new for 2025 and the Education Review Office produced a series of best practice guides “to help educators effectively implement incoming changes for 2025.” In the US, to put developments in the new year in context, back in 2017, the National Center for Education Statistics shared Projections of Education Statistics 2025 which can be compared to their Report on the Condition of Education 2024. 

Education predication from the US and around the world

The education revolution: What Nigerian teachers must know for 2025, Business Day

Cleaner and better public schools in 2025 in the Philippines, Sun Star

“As we look forward to 2025, we hope that public schools will be a lot more conducive for learning. This means cleaner and properly ventilated classrooms, better classroom materials, and improved facilities for both teachers and students.“

VAT, small firms, workers, education: Changes in France in 2025, The Connexion

“After disappointing results in maths and French tests at the 2024 rentrée, the Education Ministry announced there would be a “complete overhaul” of the curriculums for these subjects in 2025, ranging from maternelle to troisième (infant school to the fourth year of secondary).”

11 Critical Issues Facing Education at Home and Abroad in 2025, Education Week

5 education stories to watch in 2025, Chalkbeat

“Education leaders should focus on integrating AI literacy, civic education, and work-based learning to equip students for future challenges and opportunities.

Building social capital and personalized learning environments will be crucial for student success in a world increasingly influenced by AI and decentralized power structures.”


4 K-12 predictions to help you lead effectively in 2025, District Administration

K-12 trends to watch in 2025 amid budget, policy shifts, K-12 Dive

“K-12 schools are likely to face several challenges in 2025, including strained budgets due to the expiration of federal aid, cybersecurity threats and staffing shortages, particularly in special education. Additionally, the influx of AI in classrooms and the rise of book bans and curriculum restrictions are key trends to watch for in the upcoming year.”

What Should K-12 Education Focus On in 2025 and Beyond?, US Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Brown Center scholars look ahead to education in 2025, Brookings

Larry Ferlazzo’s 9 Education Predictions for 2025, Education Week

6 Predictions For Education And Workforce In 2025, Michael B. Horn, Forbes

6 Top Education Stories for 2025, Peter Green, Forbes

Five Education Predictions For 2025, Derek Newton, Forbes

 5 education innovation trends to watch in 2025, Julia Freeland Fisher, Christensen Institute

Key Trends to Watch in the Education Market in 2025, Education Week

What 2025 Could Bring for English Learners, Education Week

What’s In, What’s Out for AI, Cellphones, Cybersecurity, and Other Ed-Tech Stuff, Education Week

50 predictions about what 2025 will bring to edtech, innovation, and everything in between, eSchool News

Starring AI, VR, Microlearning and more: ETIH’s 10 predictions for edtech in 2025, EITH

“Campuses will also further embrace AI, the cloud, and mobile credentials to improve effectiveness of lockdowns and guest management efforts.“

Social Media Issues for Kids Shaping Up to Be ‘Unpredictable’ in 2025, Education Week

2025 Predictions for Video Surveillance in Education and Healthcare, Campus Safety

2025 Campus Lockdown, Visitor Management Predictions: More Installations, Integrations, Campus Safety

Driving Change: 5 Predictions Shaping the Future of Student Transportation in 2025, School Transportation News

2025 food trends shaping K-12 cafeterias, Food Service Director

“Chartwells K12 has identified 10 emerging food trends for school cafeterias in 2025, highlighting a shift toward diverse and nutritious options that align with the preferences of younger generations. Customizable bowls, inclusivity in the form of allergen-friendly and plant-based options and crunchy items are a few of the listed trends.”

25 Philanthropy Predictions for 2025, Inside Philanthropy

Seven Chicago education stories to watch in 2025, Chalkbeat

Five bold predictions for Ohio education policy in 2025, Aaron Churchill, Thomas B. Fordham Institute

New year starts in California with new laws impacting education, EdSource

“New California state laws will protect the privacy of LGBTQ+ students, ensure that the history of Native Americans is accurately taught and make it more difficult to discriminate against people of color based on their hairstyles.”

As lawmakers return to Albany, the fate of New York school funding looms, Chalkbeat