School district leaders across the country are cautiously optimistic about post-pandemic teaching and learning–and they’re also tracking what may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to upgrade their technology infrastructure and classrooms with next-gen solutions like interactive displays, laptops, and more.
In 2020 and 2021, Congress passed three COVID relief packages that added up to over $190 billion for public and private schools. Billions more are slated to arrive shortly.
The potential for this funding is great. How to effectively secure and implement it can be daunting. Join eSchool News and a panel of the country’s most insightful analysts as they discuss the state-of-play of federal and state edtech funding programs and what districts can do to take advantage.
- Children learn best on paper: We need better technology, not less of it - July 13, 2026
- In districts, reaching readiness, retention, and success - March 5, 2026
- AI use is on the rise, but is guidance keeping pace? - January 2, 2026
More from eSchool News
How K-12 IT teams can improve incident response times and neutralize cyber threats
As K-12 districts settle well into the fall semester, students and staff are fully active across learning management systems, cloud apps, and daily email routines. That steady flow of digital activity keeps IT teams busy and gives cyber adversaries plenty of opportunities to target schools.
Beyond the game: What schools must get right about student well-being in esports
A school can tell me the game, the timetable and the supervision plan in an esports program, but what I also want to know is what happens when voice chat turns hostile or a student needs to step away. That is where the well-being plan gets tested.
Moving beyond plaudits: The anatomy of effective recognition
Appreciation in the education system is far more than a simple gesture of gratitude—it is a powerful catalyst for transformation. When administrators and staff recognize teachers who go beyond the call of duty, they send a clear message: excellence is noticed, valued, and celebrated.
5 signs a student is struggling in the post-literate era
In an era dominated by short-form content and instant AI-generated summaries, students are growing up in what experts call the post-literate era, where reading text is no longer the default for learning outside the classroom.
What attendance data can teach districts about their own actions
A few years ago, our district leadership looked at our student attendance data and noticed something they couldn’t unsee. Every single year, the Monday after the Super Bowl, our numbers tanked.
Edtech stakeholders urge support for E-Rate
The Consortium for School Networking on October 21 sent a petition to Congress signed by 464 education and community leaders from across the country, urging policymakers to protect and strengthen the E-Rate program and emphasizing the critical role affordable, high-capacity broadband plays in teaching, learning, and school operations.
Why one-off AI training will not prepare teachers
Across K–12 education, districts are moving quickly to help teachers understand artificial intelligence. They are offering workshops, creating guidance, identifying approved tools and developing resources to support responsible use.
Key tips for district leaders on using data to improve attendance
Chronic absenteeism has become one of the most pressing challenges facing K-12 education today. According to the American Enterprise Institute, chronic absenteeism rates are leveling out at 23.5%, still far above pre-pandemic attendance levels.
School safety depends on strong community partnerships
Place yourself at the start of a school emergency. A teacher is trying to communicate what’s happening. A 911 dispatcher is gathering critical information. School leaders are working to understand the situation while first responders start decision-making with whatever information is available.
The goal isn’t to make school easier for students with dyslexia
One of the most important distinctions we can make when educating students with dyslexia is the difference between making learning accessible and simply making it easier. Only the former does them any favors.