Top EdTech Trends Shaping the Future of Learning in 2025-26

Our team collectively spent thousands of hours in schools and classrooms this year—and as we reflect on this year’s observations and conversations, we are inspired.

It’s no secret that state, district, and school leaders continue to navigate complex challenges in 2025: widening achievement gaps, shifting workforce demands, and re-engaging families and communities in school. These pressures are forcing districts to think differently—not just about what students learn, but how, when, and why they learn it.

Educators are designing more relevant and responsive learning environments that prioritize student engagement, career readiness, and evidence-based support. Their goal is clear: to ensure every student has the opportunities and interventions they need to thrive.

As we look to the new school year, here are four key developments we’ll be watching:

#1: Career-Connected Learning is Breaking Down the Siloes Between College and Career 

Education and policy leaders across the country are reimagining what it means to prepare students for life beyond high school, which means new graduation goals, opening credit pathways, and exploring new community partnerships. “Portrait of a graduate” initiatives, for example, are blending durable skills with academic credentials to redefine student success. At least 17 states have a state-defined “portrait of a graduate” for K-12 and, where there isn’t a state portrait, many districts are defining it on their own. 

The efforts rely on new credit pathways, which are evolving quickly across the states. In 2024, 39 states enacted ​more than 292 related policies, such as new investments in work-based learning opportunities and revamped high school diploma requirements. More than a third of state governors mentioned career-connected learning as a top priority in their State of the State addresses this year, and lawmakers continue to prioritize career-connected learning. 

States are fundamentally rethinking how school aligns with the world of work, and the enthusiasm for fresh thinking is coming from all levels of the system. It’s a really exciting time to be working in this field to redesign pathways for all learners,” Kate Kreamer, executive director of Advance CTE, told us. 

New career-connected learning efforts also invite community partnerships. Heidi Flynn, a National Solutions Director with Edmentum, recently described how a rural school in north Texas started a cybersecurity pathway. School officials reached out to their local grocery store to learn about their needs and, as it turns out, the store is also a technology company seeking cybersecurity talent.  “They were dealing with inventory, people's payments, cash, employee records, and more,” Heidi learned. The outreach quickly became a strong partnership and a new cybersecurity pathway for the community. New partnerships like this are happening all across the country as schools give their students hands-on exposure to the rapidly changing job markets. 

#2: Flexible Online Learning is Helping to Meet Families Where They Are 

The pandemic forced districts to rethink how and where learning happens. But for many families, the desire for flexibility didn’t end when schools reopened.  Families are balancing learning needs, unique student interests and passions, mental health challenges, and competing family responsibilities. Rigid school schedules can be a barrier to engagement—and even enrollment. That’s why districts are investing in high-quality online and blended options that meet families where they are and extend the possibilities for school beyond geographical boundaries. 

South Carolina’s Clover School District, for example, saw this play out firsthand. The district boosted student attendance, engagement, and academic performance by offering students and educators access to flexible digital curriculum through Edmentum. Students who completed at least one course on Edmentum’s platform had, on average, 23% fewer absences and 33% fewer tardies than their peers, and in turn, gained valuable learning time. 

#3: “Prove It” is the New Standard 

The era of edtech excess is over. As ESSER funds sunset and budgets retract, district leaders are cutting tools that go unused or fail to show impact. The core and supplemental programs that can demonstrate real, measurable impact on student outcomes will be the ones that endure. 

Edtech companies must meet the moment–and they have a responsibility to hold themselves to a higher bar. Efforts like the ISTE Seal—which validates a platform or product has been evaluated and approved by actionable, third-party feedback—and Digital Promise’s Evidence and Integrity Pledge are great examples of industry leaders embracing rigorous expectations for education technology.  

As Tal Havivi, Managing Director of R&D at ISTE+ASCD, put it: “Districts don’t have the luxury of trial-and-error anymore. The onus is on district leaders to demonstrate real impact from their investments—and that impact all comes down to student outcomes and educator satisfaction. If a solution isn't research-backed or can’t show evidence that it works, it won’t make the cut. We’re seeing a clear shift from innovation for innovation’s sake to innovation grounded in what works.”

That bar has been raised—and that’s a good thing. 

#4: Tutoring is Becoming an Integrated Intervention, Not Just an Add-On

In the midst of the pandemic and with the support of federal relief funding, school districts made huge investments in tutoring programs. A survey by the U.S. Department of Education found that over 80% of schools offered at least one version of tutoring, ranging from traditional after-school homework help to intensive tutoring. 

Five years later, and as relief dollars dry up, school districts are finding new ways to keep this critical learning support. Rather than treat tutoring as a standalone “add-on” service, school districts are increasingly integrating tutoring into their learning intervention strategies. This shift emphasizes formative assessment and progress monitoring; proactive and flexible support, including virtual solutions; and alignment with core instruction.

The case for this integration is urgent: The latest Nation’s Report Card showed students across the U.S. continue to lag in reading and math proficiency. Scores are below pre-pandemic levels in all tested grades and subjects, and gaps are growing between student performance at the lowest and highest levels.

Looking Ahead 

These observations from our times in schools this year represent some fundamental shifts that have been underway over the last several years. Families and educators alike are seeking relevance, flexibility, and results. Learning must connect to students’ lives and goals. School must work for all learners. And every program offered to your students must show real impact.

At Edmentum, we’re proud to partner with school systems that are building the future of learning around student success.