K-12 IT leaders overwhelmingly agree that artificial intelligence (AI) is vital for students’ success, but most districts are still stuck in pilot mode, according to new MeriTalk research.

While 57% of school districts report using AI in their network environments, most are still in the early stages of implementation for their back-end systems, according to a new survey from the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN).

As federal support for K-12 cybersecurity dwindles, a new Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) report reveals state lawmakers are moving to fill the gap, with bipartisan efforts in five states reshaping how K-12 schools prepare for mounting cyber threats. 

First Lady Melania Trump on Aug. 26 invited K-12 students and educators across the country to participate in the Presidential Artificial Intelligence (AI) Challenge, which is designed to boost understanding and innovation in the rapidly evolving field of AI.

More than 400 school district leaders from across the country are calling on Congress and the Trump administration to restore Federal funding and leadership for K-12 cybersecurity and educational technology.

A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) finds that K-12 education systems around the United States – particularly some of those in rural areas – are facing significant challenges in fully realizing the benefits of Federal government funding for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.

The White House has announced that more than 60 companies have joined its pledge to provide K-12 students with resources to ready the next generation of workers for an AI-driven economy.  

In response to the growing cybersecurity threats facing America’s public schools, the Institute for Security and Technology (IST) has launched the K–12 Cyber Defense Coalition (K12 CDC) – a new national partnership made up of 13 education organizations working to protect schools from cyberattacks and improve response strategies.

The University of South Florida (USF) is partnering with local community groups to launch a range of new initiatives aimed at arming K-12 students with artificial intelligence skills. 

The Missouri state Senate voted on May 13 to approve a bill that will require public school districts and charter schools in the state to adopt formal policies restricting K-12 student use of electronic personal communication devices during the school day.