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Robin Lake

The start of a new year is always a moment for reflection, but 2026 leaves little room for pause. This is not a year for incrementalism or hoping someone else will lead. It is a year that demands decisive action. In education, responsibility for student success has shifted: the federal government has abandoned many of its traditional oversight roles and mandates, and states are now in the driver’s seat.

Must-Reads

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Robin Lake

The start of a new year is always a moment for reflection, but 2026 leaves little room for pause. This is not a year for incrementalism or hoping someone else will lead.

Latest Research Publications

  • Research Reports    

Virtual 1:1 Literacy Tutoring in Oakland Unified School District: Implementation and Effectiveness of a Pilot at Scale

Mary Laski, Calen Clifton

In 2024–25, Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) launched a districtwide pilot of virtual, high-dosage, 1:1 literacy tutoring in partnership with three providers: Hoot, Ignite Reading, and OpenLiteracy.

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Districts and AI: Early Adopters Focus More on Students in 2025-26

Bree Dusseault, Jared Hurwitz, Anagha Mandayam

Introduction More Early Adopters are piloting systemwide AI strategies Early Adopters focus more on students, mostly with new tools Reimaginers keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with AI Districts must advance more coherent AI strategies for teaching and learning Across the country, the approach schools take towards Generative AI has changed: it’s moved from usage bans to pockets of experimentation to a broader conversation about how schools can and should use AI to enhance teaching, learning, and operations.

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Outmatched: Special Education Can’t Solve Problems Rooted in the Education Delivery System

Ashley Jochim, Alexander Kurz

In early 2025, the National Center for Education Statistics quietly announced a new record: 7.9 million public school students were identified with a disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

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Making Room for What Matters: Innovative School Leaders Want Accountability, but With a Lighter Footprint

Chelsea Waite, David Nitkin, Janette Avelar

Across the country, school leaders are reimagining how students learn—designing models that are more engaging, effective, and connected to the world students are entering.

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The State of the American Student — 2025

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Access to Qualified Math Teachers for All Students

Alexander Kurz, Shauna Campbell

Concerns about student math performance in the U.S. have grown in recent years, driven by persistent disparities, pandemic-related disruptions, and stagnating or declining national achievement scores.

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