Colleges from North Dakota to New Jersey are trying to get students to sign up for A.I. degrees. What they teach varies widely.

Colleges are rapidly launching AI degree programs while struggling to understand actual student usage patterns and prevent AI plagiarism, highlighting the urgent need for clear policies and detection strategies in higher education.

Also covering: The Hechinger Report · Tech & Learning · The 74

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American schools spent roughly $30 billion on educational technology in 2024--a figure that's projected to nearly double by 2033. Superintendents are constantly bombarded with emails, brochures, and demos from education technology companies.

With EdTech spending projected to reach $60 billion by 2033, education leaders argue that teachers need more agency in technology decisions instead of being overwhelmed by vendor-driven solutions.

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Tulsa, Oklahoma, STEM teacher Jacqueline Lanning had long had her eye on the Dove Schools. The public charter network incorporated science, technology, engineering and math in every grade, and its students received a well-rounded education inside and outside the classroom. Teaching there, she said, was a top goal. She got her opportunity four years ago, […]

Schools are implementing comprehensive STEM programs from elementary through high school, using everything from aquatic robots to power tools, while some students pivot away from STEM in college citing career preferences.

Also covering: EdSource

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How to Save the Take-Home Essay With Oral Assessments Elizabeth Redden Mon, 06/08/2026 - 03:00 AM Rather than attempt to police AI usage, pair the take-home essay with oral assessments in which students are asked to demonstrate genuine understanding of their written work. Byline(s) Matthew Hammerton Jacqueline Ho

Educators are developing new assessment strategies, including pairing take-home essays with oral evaluations, to ensure authentic student understanding in the age of AI-assisted writing.

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What Do We Know About Who Isn’t Reporting Race on College Applications? Johanna Alonso Mon, 06/08/2026 - 03:00 AM Two admissions cycles into the post–affirmative action landscape, researcher James Murphy is trying to understand the somewhat-confusing surge in students who decline to share their race when they apply to college. Byline(s) Johanna Alonso

Two years after affirmative action bans, researchers are tracking a surge in students declining to report race on college applications, creating new challenges for admissions offices and diversity tracking.

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As district budget cuts become more common, nurses are more likely to face layoffs, said the board president of the National Association of School Nurses.

Districts face difficult decisions as school nurses experience layoffs and burnout while first-generation college students need enhanced support systems to succeed academically.

Also covering: Inside Higher Ed

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Paul E. Peterson interviews David Figlio, the Gordon Fyfe Professor of Economics and Education at the University of Rochester The post The Education Exchange: Why Cell Phone Bans Are Good for Students, Teachers appeared first on Education Next .

Research from education economists provides evidence supporting classroom cell phone restrictions, showing benefits for both student learning and teacher effectiveness.

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What began as a program that was unavailable to Fresno students has now served nearly 1,000 students and is setting the standard for California’s graduation requirement.

California implements new personal finance graduation requirements while addressing low transfer rates from its massive community college system to four-year universities.

Also covering: EdSource

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At many institutions, professional learning for faculty is fragmented, consisting of optional workshops, one-off training sessions or sporadic conference attendance. " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/hechingerreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/oped-jennings-alexander-1-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" /> U.S. colleges and universities are reeling from one of the most challenging years in recent memory. In 2025, institutions laid off more than 9,000 faculty and staff amid enrollment volatility, shrinking budgets and growing skepticism about the value of a college degree. As a result, institutions are under increasing pressure to find efficiencies through new […] The post OPINION:In a moment of uncertainty and growing public scrutiny, colleges should be investing in faculty to drive student success appeared first on The Hechinger Report .

Higher education institutions should prioritize comprehensive faculty professional development over fragmented training approaches to improve student outcomes and institutional effectiveness.

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Artificial intelligence can’t explain the disparity in hiring between generations, an analysis from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found.

Rising youth unemployment unrelated to AI adoption affects graduate prospects, while NYC schools maintain budgets despite enrollment declines and Detroit implements attendance incentive programs.

Also covering: Higher Ed Dive · Chalkbeat · The Independent - Education · The 74

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