Two-thirds of teachers continue to use personal funds to purchase edtech tools, with 33% buying online lessons, 30% purchasing learning-related games and 29% acquiring digital instructional content, according to an EdWeek Market Brief survey. While this is a decrease from four years ago, when only 21% of teachers reported not paying for edtech, the trend persists despite an increase in district-provided tools, with middle-school teachers and women more likely to spend their own money.

The Smithsonian Institute offers free educational programs for teachers and students nationwide, enhancing STEM lessons with authentic learning experiences. Notable initiatives include the Smithsonian Stars program, which aims to provide telescopes and astronomy lessons to rural schools, and the Democracy in Dialogue Virtual Exchange program, which fosters civic understanding among students from different states.

Educators are divided on the integration of AI into classrooms, according to a recent EdWeek Research Center survey, with about a third of educators viewing AI tools like ChatGPT as somewhat negative for education, and another third seeing them as somewhat positive. Many educators express concerns about AI's impact on students' critical thinking and creativity, while others see its potential to improve teaching efficiency and students' preparation for the future.

K-12 schools are improving their response to ransomware attacks, according to a Sophos report. In 2025, 67% of schools stopped ransomware before data encryption, and median ransom payments dropped from $6.6 million to $800,000. However, schools still face the highest recovery costs compared to other industries.

Teachers are increasingly turning to virtual schools for better work-life balance, with many finding the flexibility of remote teaching appealing. Educators at California Virtual Academies and Virginia Connections Academy have highlighted the ability to create more engaging lesson plans and manage their schedules more effectively.

Esports programs at colleges such as the University of Texas at Tyler are seeing a significant increase in female participation, reflecting a broader trend in which women make up 46% of gamers, according to Esports Insider. The UT Tyler program has grown rapidly since its inception during the pandemic, attracting a diverse group of students and fostering a sense of community and teamwork through its Discord server.