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What to Consider Before Purchasing AI for Schools

Michael Healey — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 13:36:19 +0000

Key takeaways

Begin with a clearly defined educational or operational need. An AI tool should solve a real problem, not just add another piece of technology to a district.
Pilot the tool in your own district with real students, real work, and a small group of users.
Decide what success should look like before the pilot begins so you can judge whether the tool is worth expanding.

School leaders are facing growing pressure to make decisions about artificial intelligence. New products appear almost daily, staff members are experimenting with free tools, and vendors are making ambitious claims about saving time, personalizing learning, and improving results. Boards of education and families also want to know how schools are preparing students for a world in which AI will be common.

Before making a purchase, a district should understand how a tool will be used, what problems it is expected to solve, and what new challenges it may create. The goal is to choose technology that improves teaching, learning, or school operations and is worth the time, cost, and effort required to implement it well.

For me, thinking about what to consider before purchasing AI for schools starts with a simple question: What problem are we trying to solve? Once that is clear, districts are in a much better position to determine whether an AI tool actually addresses that need and will make a meaningful difference for students and teachers.

What Should Schools Consider Before Purchasing AI Tools?

When determining what to consider before purchasing AI for schools, leaders should examine the tool from several perspectives. Instructional leaders need to consider educational value, technology staff must review privacy and integration, and teachers and students can speak to usability. Business officials need to understand the full cost and contract terms.

That review should also account for the fact that AI is different from many traditional digital tools. Its outputs can change based on the user, the prompt, and updates to the underlying model. It can generate inaccurate or biased content with complete confidence. A feature that performs well during a vendor demonstration may respond differently when used by hundreds of students across a range of ages, needs, and reading levels.

Schools should ensure the tool is a good fit for the students and staff who will use it, and that people, not the technology, remain responsible for important decisions. If the tool gives feedback, evaluates student work, or helps shape decisions about a student, schools should be especially careful.

Does the Tool Solve a Real Problem and Align with Your Goals?

Before scheduling demonstrations, write a short problem statement. Teachers may need a faster way to create accessible first drafts of materials, or students may need timely practice and feedback in a specific skill.

The more specific the problem, the easier it becomes to evaluate the product. Ask the vendor to demonstrate the tool using realistic district tasks, content, and users. A polished generic demonstration may show what the product can do under ideal conditions. It does not show whether it will work within the district’s curriculum, technology systems, policies, staffing, or daily schedule.

Leaders should identify what should improve if the purchase is successful. Will teachers save measurable planning time? Will students receive better feedback? The measure does not need to be complicated, but it should be established before the purchase.

AI should also fit within the district’s broader approach to teaching and learning. A strongK-12 online learning platform can provide high-quality content and flexible ways for teachers to engage students. AI features should strengthen that work while preserving the role of the teacher, the integrity of the curriculum, and the thinking students need to do for themselves.

How Should Schools Evaluate AI Data Privacy and Security?

A privacy review cannot be reduced to merely locating the words “FERPA compliant” on a vendor website. Districts need to know what the tool collects, why it collects it, where it stores the information, how long it retains it, who can access it, and whether it uses it to train an AI model. They should also determine what happens to district information at the end of the contract.

To do this effectively, it’s helpful to start with rules established at the federal level. The U.S. Department of Education’s provides FERPA guidance for schools, and the Federal Trade Commission’s covers the online collection of personal information from children under 13. Districts also need to follow state laws, board policies, records-retention rules, and local purchasing requirements. For example, in my state, New York Education Law § 2-d includes additional requirements for protecting student data and personally identifiable information.

The contract matters, too. District leaders should ensure it clearly explains who owns the data, how it can be used, how it is protected, what happens in the event of a breach, how information is deleted, and whether the vendor can use the data for advertising or other commercial purposes. It is also important to ask how the vendor tests its security and fixes problems when they are found.

Privacy and security should be part of the decision from the beginning. If a district cannot clearly explain what data is being collected, how it is being used, and how it is being protected, it is not ready to require the use of the tool.

Why Do Teacher Training and Total Cost of Ownership Matter?

An AI tool can be easy to access yet difficult to use well. Teachers need time to understand where it adds value, where it can make mistakes, what information may be entered, and when its output requires closer review. They also need examples connected to their actual responsibilities, not training built entirely around the “perfect” prompts to use.

Professional development should begin before the tool is rolled out and continue once staff start using it. Early training helps people understand how the tool should be used, while follow-up support gives teachers a chance to ask questions and work through problems that come up.

When it comes to cost, district leaders also need to look beyond the annual license fee. Other costs may include setup, rostering, data integration, staff training, substitute coverage, technical support, and future price increases. There is also a time cost to consider. Time spent implementing one product is time that cannot be spent on other district priorities.

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5 Questions to Ask Before You Buy an AI Tool for Your School

1. What Specific Problem Will This Solve?

Start by clearly identifying the problem the district is trying to solve and who the tool is intended to help. Be specific about what you want to improve and how the tool could help. If the main reason for purchasing it is simply that the features look impressive or other districts are using it, that is probably not enough reason to move forward.

2. Will the Tool Work in a Real School Setting?

Ask your vendors for more than testimonials. Take a look at who tested it, who participated, and what the results showed. Then try it in your own district with a small group of students, use real work, and set clear expectations for what success should look like.

3. What Could Go Wrong, and How Will People Remain in Control?

Test for inaccurate, biased, inappropriate, or inconsistent outputs. Determine how users report problems, how quickly the vendor responds, and which decisions always require educator review. The offers a useful structure for identifying and managing AI risk.

4. How Will the Tool Protect Student and Staff Data?

Do not rely only on a vendor’s word alone. Review the privacy policy, security information, and contract language. Make sure you understand what data the tool collects, how long it keeps that information, whether it is used to train the system, who else can access it, and how the data is deleted when it is no longer needed.

5. What Will It Take to Implement the Tool Successfully?

Look beyond the cost and consider what it will take to use the tool effectively. Decide who will introduce it, train staff, provide support, monitor use, and review the results. Set those expectations up front so the tool doesn’t become another subscription purchased but rarely used.

Making the Right AI Purchasing Decision

Schools do not need a complicated process for every AI tool, but they do need to evaluate each one consistently. A simple checklist can help define the need, review the evidence, check privacy and security, test accessibility and accuracy, and decide how to measure success.

Most importantly, test the tool on a real classroom or operational need before making a larger commitment. Listen to the people who will use it and to those responsible for privacy, security, and implementation. If the tool isn’t ready or doesn’t meet the district’s needs, don’t be afraid to walk away, even if the demonstration was impressive.

An AI purchase should make work easier, improve learning, and earn the trust of students, staff, and families.

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Ready for Life: Building Skills, Confidence, and Healthy Habits That Last

Dr. Sharon Jones, Ed.D — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 14:57:32 +0000

Once of my most influential moments as an educator was a conversation I had with a student. The conversation was not for help with a coding problem, but to seek guidance on a delicate situation unfolding in a group chat. It had nothing to do with the curriculum, and everything to do with the kind of judgment call students make dozens of times a day without ever being taught how. I remember thinking: this is the part of school nobody puts on a syllabus, and it’s often the part that matters most.

That conversation is why this final piece of our back-to-school series is the one closest to my heart. Academic skills get students ready to learn, but life skills get them ready for everything else. Confidence, safety, healthy decision-making, financial common sense. These aren’t separate from a strong school year. They’re what make one possible.

A new school year is the perfect moment to build those skills alongside academic ones. Students are absorbing routines, testing boundaries, and figuring out who they want to be in a new grade, a new classroom, sometimes a new school altogether. The educators and partner organizations who show up for that moment with resources that are honest, age-appropriate, and genuinely useful do something worksheets never can: they help a student walk into the hallway a little more prepared for whatever the day brings.

Support Healthy, Informed Decision-Making

Every student will eventually face a moment where peer pressure, stress, or simple curiosity puts them at a crossroads. The goal isn’t to shield them from those moments, it’s to make sure they’ve practiced thinking through them before the moment arrives.

, developed with �Ǹ��, gives K–12 classrooms interactive lessons, videos, and activities built around exactly that kind of practice: managing stress, understanding mental health, navigating peer pressure, and making informed choices about medication safety and substance misuse. The program meets students where they are by grade band, from a read-aloud on medicine safety in early elementary to choose-your-own-path decision-making scenarios in high school. It’s the kind of resource I wish I’d had ready-made when a class conversation veered somewhere I knew mattered more than the lesson plan.

Build Confidence That Extends Beyond the Classroom

I’ve watched a brilliant piece of student work get buried under “it’s probably not good enough” more times than I can count. Confidence isn’t a soft skill, it’s the thing that determines whether a student raises their hand, submits their best work, or tries again after getting something wrong.

resources, created with �Ǹ��, give educators tools to build body confidence, counter bullying, and support healthy self-esteem from elementary through high school. From the Loving Me series for K–2 classrooms to animated topic videos and self-esteem kits for older students, the program gives teachers a structured, age-appropriate way to open conversations about identity and confidence that too often get left to chance.

Teach Everyday Safety Skills Early

Safety education works best when it’s built into a student’s routine long before it’s ever tested in real life.

, in partnership with �Ǹ��, equips K–3 students with standards-aligned fire safety and prevention resources designed to make those lessons memorable rather than forgettable. It’s a small, concrete example of a bigger idea: the earlier students practice a safety habit, the more likely it becomes second nature.

Address Substance Misuse Prevention Directly

Some of the most important conversations in a classroom are also the hardest to start. Giving educators a well-built entry point makes all the difference.

, developed with �Ǹ��, supports the national effort to prevent opioid misuse with classroom resources designed for schools, homes, and communities alike. Programs like this remind me that prevention isn’t a single lesson, it’s an ongoing, honest conversation that schools are uniquely positioned to help carry forward.

Bring Financial Decision-Making to Life

Confidence and safety go hand in hand with another life skill students need well before graduation: the ability to make sound financial decisions under real-world pressure.

, part of the Pathway in Schools program, turns financial literacy into an interactive investigation game where students set goals for savings, career success, well-being, or lifestyle and navigate daily decisions about working, spending, investing, and protecting their money. Paired with classroom activities like the Borrowing Olympics and Data Dollars, it’s a hands-on way for students to feel the weight of a financial decision before it’s one they’re making on their own.

More Life-Ready Resources on the Way

We’re also looking forward to SCC’s Future Ready Skills, a new resource launching soon that will add even more support for helping students build the practical, real-world skills they’ll carry with them long after they leave the classroom. Keep an eye out for it this school year.

The Whole Student, Ready for What's Next

Academic readiness matters. So does the confidence to raise a hand, the judgment to make a healthy choice under pressure, the habit of thinking through a decision before making it, and the basic safety skills that keep a student secure at school and at home. That’s the throughline across this entire series, exploring what’s next, learning through real-world connections, and now, building the skills that carry students through everything in between.

“This school year, my hope for every educator is the same one I carried into my own classroom and every classroom I enter: give students the tools to walk out more capable, more confident, and more prepared than they walked in and don’t over think it! That's what a "Ready for Life" school year really looks like.”

— Dr. Sharon Jones

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Ready to Learn: Bringing STEM and Academic Enrichment to Life Through Real-World Learning

Dr. Sharon Jones, Ed.D — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 21:20:16 +0000

I still remember the moment a lesson stopped being a lesson. I taught computer science, and I had a class working through what was, on paper, a fairly ordinary unit on logic and loops but comprehension was not happening. So, I paused, and reframed the opening question. Instead of “What is a conditional statement?” I asked, “How would you build something that actually solves a problem your friends have?” The room changed. Hands went up. Kids who normally waited out a lesson were suddenly arguing with each other about the best approach. That’s the moment I go back to every time someone asks me why real-world learning matters: it’s not a teaching technique, it’s a switch that gets flipped in a student’s head. It is what I call the light bulb moment and it is amazing.

When students ask questions, investigate ideas, and solve authentic problems, learning becomes more than memorization. It becomes an experience. And in my years in the classroom, the lessons that stuck, the ones students still mentioned years later, were never the ones I lectured through. They were the ones where students had to think like someone else: a scientist, an engineer, a financial planner, an analyst.

Today’s students are preparing for a world that demands critical thinkers, creative problem-solvers, and collaborative innovators. By connecting classroom instruction to real-world challenges, educators can transform everyday lessons into meaningful opportunities that inspire curiosity and deepen understanding. It creates a culture in your classroom that provides you, as the educator, the opportunity to facilitate and watch the authentic learning experiences help students see that what they’re learning today has real value tomorrow.

Dig Into STEM with Real-World Problem Solving

One of the best ways to engage students is by presenting them with the same kinds of challenges professionals solve every day. I used to tell my students: nobody in the real world gets handed a worksheet, they get handed a mess, and they have to figure out what questions to even ask.

Imagine beginning a science lesson by asking students, “How can we responsibly access the natural resources needed to power our everyday lives while protecting the environment?” Instead of simply reading about mining, students investigate the science behind Earth’s resources, evaluate multiple perspectives, and design potential solutions.

classroom activities provide hands-on STEM investigations that connect earth science, engineering, environmental stewardship, and critical thinking through authentic industry examples. Students become problem-solvers while exploring how science and innovation work together to address complex global challenges.

Build Financial Confidence Through Real-Life Decision Making

Financial literacy is a life skill every student deserves, and it’s one I wish I’d had more tools for earlier in my career. Students make financial decisions every day, from saving money to understanding needs versus wants and those decisions become increasingly important as they grow. By incorporating financial literacy into everyday instruction, educators help students develop responsible decision-making skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

A simple classroom activity might ask students to create a budget for a school event, compare the costs of different materials, or determine how to save toward a personal goal. I found these were often the lessons where the quietest students spoke up first because suddenly the math had stakes they actually cared about. These authentic scenarios strengthen mathematical reasoning while helping students understand the value of planning, budgeting, and informed decision-making.

resources make financial literacy engaging through classroom activities that connect mathematics, economics, and real-life financial choices in meaningful ways.

Help Students Discover the Power of Data

Students encounter data every day (although they do not always know it) , from sports
statistics and weather forecasts to social media trends and public health
information. Learning how to interpret and question data prepares them to
become informed citizens and confident decision-makers, and it’s a skill I’ve
watched grow only more urgent as students’ information comes at them faster
every year.

One engaging lesson might have students survey their classmates about favorite
books, school lunches, or after-school activities. After organizing the results
into graphs, students analyze patterns, ask questions, and discuss what
conclusions they can and cannot draw from the data. That last part matters as
much as the graphing itself; teaching students to notice what data doesn’t tell
them is one of the more underrated skills we can build.

The resources introduce students to data literacy through engaging investigations that strengthen analytical thinking, mathematical reasoning, and
evidence-based decision-making.

Inspire Environmental Innovation

Today’s students are tomorrow’s environmental leaders. Helping learners investigate
renewable energy, climate solutions, and sustainable practices encourages them
to think critically about the role they can play in creating healthier
communities.

Innovation resources immerse students in
authentic environmental investigations that connect science, engineering, and
community impact. Through inquiry-based learning, students develop solutions to
real-world environmental challenges while strengthening STEM knowledge and
collaboration skills.

Design �Ǹ�� for a Sustainable Future

Engineering begins with curiosity. A simple design challenge such as creating a structure
that keeps water cool, designing an energy-efficient classroom, or improving
airflow in a model home encourages students to think like engineers while
applying concepts from science and mathematics.

teacher-led activities help students explore sustainability, energy efficiency, and engineering design through engaging, hands-on investigations that
demonstrate how STEM learning improves the world around us.

Authentic Learning Creates Lasting Learning

Students remember experiences more than worksheets. I can still tell you what my students built, argued about, and got wrong before they got it right. I couldn’t tell you what was on most of the quizzes I gave. When students investigate authentic questions, collaborate to solve meaningful problems, and connect learning to the world around them, they build deeper understanding and stronger academic confidence.

Real-world learning doesn’t require a complete curriculum redesign. It starts with asking meaningful questions, encouraging curiosity, and giving students opportunities to think like scientists, engineers, mathematicians, financial planners, and innovators.

This school year, help students move beyond learning about the world and empower them to learn through it. Because the most powerful learning happens when students discover that they have the knowledge and skills to make a difference.

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5 Largest Education Trends for the 2026-2027 School Year

Michael Healey — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 13:26:41 +0000

Key takeaways

2026-2027 Education Trends will require schools to focus on the changes that matter most, not every new tool, program, or initiative.
AI, flexible learning, and new graduation pathways will require clear expectations so students are supported without lowering standards.
Students need learning that connects to life beyond school, including career readiness, real-world application, and the ability to manage challenges and responsibilities.

Every school year brings new priorities, but the 2026-2027 school year feels different because schools are responding to several changes at the same time.

Students are growing up with artificial intelligence, constant access to information, new career options, and changing expectations for college and work. Teachers are trying to help students build academic skills while also preparing them to think clearly, use technology responsibly, communicate well, and make decisions about their future.

That is a lot to ask of schools.

The biggest challenge is deciding which changes deserve time and attention. Schools cannot chase every new idea, tool, or program that comes along. They have to focus on the work that maximizes what students learn and how they grow, and prepares them for what comes next.

An effective k-12 learning platform can support that work by providing teachers with useful resources, helping students connect learning to the world around them, and supporting instruction across all content areas.

The following 2026-2027 Education Trends highlight key areas schools will need to consider in the year ahead.

Responsible AI and Digital Literacy

AI is not going away. Students are already using it, hearing about it, and seeing it show up in nearly every part of life outside of school. Schools no longer need to ask whether students will use AI; they need to decide how to help students use it responsibly.

That work needs to be integrated into the digital literacy instruction schools are already building.

Students need to understand that AI can be useful, but it is not always accurate. It can help with a number of tasks, including organizing ideas, explaining a concept, or supporting research, but it can also produce wrong information, incomplete or misleading responses, or work that does not reflect a student’s own thinking.

In the coming year, schools will need to teach students when AI is appropriate to support learning and when it is not. They will also need to help students understand academic integrity, privacy, and the difference between getting help from AI and having it complete the assignment for them.

Teachers need support with this, too. They should not have to create AI rules one classroom at a time. Schools need to support teachers and students by creating clear expectations and consistent messaging around AI use.

In 2026-2027, responsible AI use will become part of a larger conversation about��technology in the classroom. The goal should not be to use more technology, but rather to help students use technology better.

More Meaningful Graduation Pathways

Traditionally, graduation from high school has always been treated as crossing a single finish line. In order to receive their diploma, students must complete the required courses, earn the required credits, and pass the required exams. Those all still matter, but schools are also beginning to recognize that students often need different ways to show they are ready for what comes next.

That is why new pathways to graduation will continue to be an important trend.

We have long known that students do not all follow the same path after high school. The problem is that many schools have not created enough meaningful pathways to match that reality. That is changing. In the coming year, schools need to begin preparing students for different graduation options without lowering expectations.

That may include career and technical education, early college courses, internships, work-based learning, performance tasks, and other experiences that help students connect school to future opportunities while demonstrating the skills and proficiencies required for graduation.

This is where��career readiness fits into the larger picture. It should not be the only focus of high school, but it should be a significant part of how schools help students think about graduation, planning, and life after school.

The strongest pathways will still require reading, writing, problem-solving, and communication, but students will need more opportunities to see how those skills connect to the direction they may want to go.

Personalized and Flexible Learning

Schools are also transitioning to more personalized and flexible learning opportunities. That does not mean every student will get a completely different education. It means schools are now better at understanding and paying closer attention to how students learn, where they need support, and how they can demonstrate competency.

These personalized and flexible learning opportunities move away from the one-size-fits-all approach that has not always worked well for students or teachers.

In 2026-2027, schools will continue looking for ways to make learning more flexible without making it disorganized. That may include more small-group instruction, adaptive tools, student choice, flexible pacing, blended learning, targeted intervention, or different ways for students to demonstrate what they know.

Focusing on flexibility should not make the learning goal less clear. Students still need to know what they are expected to learn, why it matters, and what they need to do to improve.

This also depends on having good information to guide instruction. Teachers need to know what students understand and where they are struggling. That information can come from assessments, student work, discussion, observation, and digital tools, but it only matters if it helps teachers make better decisions.

This kind of learning requires planning and additional support for teachers. As schools move toward more personalized and flexible learning opportunities, they need to be thoughtful about how they use tools, schedules, and instructional strategies so flexible learning supports students instead of creating confusion.

Learning Beyond the Traditional Classroom

Students benefit when they realize that learning does not only happen inside the four walls of a classroom. More schools are looking for ways to connect learning to real places, real problems, and real experiences.

That may include things like community-based projects, internships, field trips, service learning, outdoor learning, local partnerships, guest speakers, or classroom projects connected to real-world topics.

The format can vary, but the idea is the same: students need opportunities to apply what they are learning.

This is one reason project-based learning continues to be part of the conversation. When planned well, it gives students a chance to work through a question or challenge in a deeper, more authentic way.

These experiences should not feel like extras that happen after the “real” learning is done. They should be connected to the learning goals. Students should still be reading, writing, analyzing, discussing, and explaining their thinking.

In 2026-2027, more schools will look for ways to make learning feel more connected to the world students are preparing to enter.

Embedded Student Well-Being and Readiness Skills

Student well-being will continue to be a major issue, but schools are starting to think about it differently. It cannot be treated only as a separate program or a lesson that happens once in a while. It needs to be part of schools’ regular work.

Students need to learn how to manage challenges, communicate with others, work through frustration, ask for help, and make decisions. These skills are connected to learning, attendance, relationships, behavior, and readiness for life after graduation.

This does not mean teachers need one more thing added to their plates. It means schools should look at where these skills already show up.

They show up when students work in groups, revise work after feedback, explain their thinking, listen to a different point of view, or keep working through a difficult task. They also show up in advisory programs, counseling, classroom routines, student leadership, extracurricular activities, and career planning.

In 2026-2027, more schools will focus on embedding student well-being and readiness skills into the full school experience. That includes helping students build confidence, communication, adaptability, responsibility, and the ability to keep learning.

These skills matter because students are preparing for a world that will continue to change. They will need academic knowledge, but they will also need to manage responsibilities, work with others, exercise good judgment, and respond to changes in plans.

Schools cannot remove every challenge students will face, but they can help students build the skills to handle challenges more effectively.

Preparing for the 2026-2027 School Year

The largest trends for the 2026-2027 school year all point to the same central theme: schools need to prepare students for a future that is changing quickly, without losing sight of what meaningful learning requires.

Students need to use AI and technology responsibly, have clearer pathways to graduation, and experience learning that is flexible enough to meet different needs while still focused on clear expectations. They also need opportunities to apply what they know beyond the classroom and build well-being and readiness skills throughout the school experience.

None of that happens through a single program or initiative. It happens when schools are clear about what matters and consistent about how they support students and teachers.

Every new school year brings new challenges, but these 2026-2027 Education Trends also give schools an opportunity to focus on work that can make a real difference for students.

The goal is not to do everything. It is to do the right work well.

Discover the Latest Education Data

Get your free copy of the��Education Insights Report: Engagement Fuels Learning

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Back to School: Helping Students Discover Their Future This School Year

Dr. Sharon Jones, Ed.D — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 16:19:04 +0000

The start of a new school year is always electric. It is packed with fresh faces, big ideas, and endless moments to spark a fire in our students. As educators, we are not just teaching a curriculum; we are opening doors. We have the incredible opportunity to help students look into the horizon and see themselves thriving in the future.

We’ve all heard that classic classroom question: “Dr. Jones, when am I ever going to use this in the real world?”

That’s where career-connected learning changes the game. When we connect daily lessons to the real world, the lightbulbs go on. Whether our students are demystifying artificial intelligence, looking into environmental responsibilitysustainability, or sharpening those human-centric communication and collaboration skills that employers crave, they aren’t just gaining facts—they are building deep, unshakeable confidence.

The data and our own classroom experiences tell us the same thing: when students see how their learning connects to real life, engagement skyrockets. By intentionally weaving career exploration into our routines this year, we can equip every learner with the mindset and agility they need to lead in a fast-paced, tech-driven world. Let’s explore some opportunities to implement career connections in our classrooms through AI, STEM, and Industry partners.

Build AI Literacy for the Next Generation

Let’s be real: artificial intelligence isn’t some futuristic sci-fi concept anymore. It’s sitting right in our students’ pockets and influencing their daily lives. Our job isn’t to keep them away from it, but to teach them how it works, how to use it ethically, and how to think critically about its impact. AI literacy is the new digital citizenship!

Here is a quick, fun way to introduce AI to your classroom tomorrow! Try a “Human vs. Machine” challenge. Show your students a series of animal photos and ask them to name them. Easy, right? Then, kick off a chat about how they did it. We humans use our life experiences, context, and senses to recognize patterns. An AI, on the other hand, relies entirely on massive piles of training data to make an educated guess. This quick exercise gets students thinking critically about data bias, how machines “learn,” and exactly why human empathy and judgment will remain essentialalways be irreplaceable.

To help you bring these concepts to life, the collection is packed with classroom-ready lessons. These resources make it simple to teach ethical decision-making and critical thinking, turning your students into confident, responsible digital citizens who dominate lead with technology rather than just consuming it.

Prepare Students with Future-Ready Skills

Technical know-how is fantastic, but we also need to talk about durable skills. I’m talking about the power skills: communication, collaboration, creativity, and adaptability. These are the human traits that keep students resilient no matter how much technology evolves. We want them to see the impact of how academics can be applied to real life. This happens through integration of academics with hands-on learning, aka STEM.

�Ǹ�� has created a powerful resource to make it easy for us as educators to implement. The resources are perfect for intentionally embedding durable skills into your existing lessons. They provide awesome, hands-on experiences that challenge students to problem-solve together, building the confidence they need to walk any career path they choose.

More Resources to Inspire Career Exploration

We want our students to dream big, and that starts with showing them what’s actually out there! �Ǹ��’s incredible industry partners have created fantastic resources to introduce your learners to real professionals and cutting-edge industries.

Discover Careers in Environmental Education Sustainability with ITRON

From engineering greener grids to smart infrastructure, environmental sustainability careers are growing rapidlyexploding. The introduce students to real-world innovators working to protect our planet and build smarter cities. It’s the perfect way to show your students how they can solve tomorrow’s biggest environmental challenges.

Explore Career Opportunities with CHS

Modern agriculture is a high-tech frontier! It’s all about data science, drone technology, engineering, and global logistics. helps students look beyond the traditional farm and discover the massive wave of tech and innovation driving the agricultural cooperative industry today.

Build Workforce Readiness with Dell Technologies

Prepping students for life after graduation means ensuring they are digitally fluent and workplace-ready. resources offer awesome support for fostering critical thinking and collaboration while introducing students to dynamic career pathways across the tech landscape.

Continue Your Own Learning

To inspire our students, we have to keep our own cups full! Continuous learning is where the magic happens for us as educators.

�Ǹ��’s professional learning partnership with IBM SkillsBuild is designed to empower you. These high-quality sessions give you the practical strategies, tech confidence, and cutting-edge insights you need to bring AI concepts and career-connected learning straight into your classroom with ease.

Start the Year by Inspiring What's Next

Back-to-school season isn’t just about organizing classrooms and setting up seating charts, it’s about launching futures.

Every single lesson is a chance to bridge the gap between school and a career. Every group project is an opportunity to practice collaboration. Every conversation can be the spark that makes a student say, “Wow, I can actually do this.”

This school year, let’s commit to empowering our students to explore emerging technologies, discover unexpected pathways, and build the durable skills they’ll use for the rest of their lives. Just start with one lesson and see how it goes. You will be blown away by the impact.

When we inspire students to see what’s possible, we give them the power to build it!

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Core vs. Supplemental Curriculum: Key Differences for Schools

Michael Healey — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 13:53:30 +0000

Key takeaways

Core vs supplemental curriculum helps schools understand what each one is supposed to do and how both can support instruction.
Core curriculum provides the main instructional foundation for standards, pacing, lessons, and expectations.
Supplemental curriculum works best when it solves a clear problem, supports the core curriculum, and helps teachers meet student needs.

Curriculum decisions show up in classrooms every day. They affect what teachers teach, what students practice, how lessons are paced, and how schools know if students are learning.

That is why these decisions matter so much.

When curriculum work is clear, teachers have a stronger foundation to work from, and students experience lessons that build from one skill to the next. When it is unclear, teachers may have too many resources in front of them without a clear understanding of which one should lead instruction.

This is where the difference between the core curriculum and supplemental curriculum becomes important. A��K-12 online learning platform��can support this work, but the larger question for schools is still the same: what role is each resource supposed to play?

Understanding core vs supplemental curriculum��helps schools make better decisions, use resources more effectively, and keep the focus where it belongs: on teaching and learning.

What Is Core Curriculum?

The core curriculum is the primary instructional program schools use to teach required content. It is almost always connected to state standards, grade-level skills, and the order in which students should learn key skills and content.

In simple terms, the core curriculum is the foundation.

A district may have a core math program, English language arts program, science program, or social studies program. Those materials help define what students should learn, when they should learn it, and how skills should be built over time.

An effective core curriculum should give teachers structure without taking away professional judgment. Teachers still need to respond to the students in front of them. They need to adjust pacing, check for understanding, lead discussion, reteach when needed, and decide how to make a lesson work in their classroom.

But teachers should not have to create the entire road map on their own.

A good core curriculum gives teachers a common starting point and a clear destination. From there, teachers should still use their professional judgment to decide how to move their class through the lesson, where students may need more support, and when the pace needs to change.

That matters in a district. If every classroom uses different materials, students may not have the same access to important skills and content. Teachers may also struggle to plan together because they are not working from a shared structure.

The core curriculum should answer basic questions. What are we teaching? What skills should students build? How does this connect to standards? How will we know if students are learning it?

When those questions are clear, schools are better positioned to support both teachers and students.

What Is Supplemental Curriculum?

Supplemental curriculum is added to support the core curriculum, not replace it. These materials should help teachers fill gaps, provide additional practice, or give students another way to understand and apply what they are learning.

For example, a reading program may teach the main comprehension skill. A teacher might then use a short article or video to help students practice that same skill with new content.

Even a strong core program will not meet every student’s needs on its own. Students come to school with different strengths, interests, needs, and experiences. Teachers often need additional resources to make learning clearer, more engaging, or more connected to the world students know.

The key is that the supplemental curriculum needs a purpose.

When used well, supplemental materials strengthen instruction. If they are used without a plan, they can create confusion. Teachers need to know when to use them, why they are being used, and how they connect to the core curriculum.

Supplemental curriculum should have a clear reason for being used, whether that is to give students more practice, help them access a difficult concept, extend learning, or help them apply what they are learning. When that purpose is clear, supplemental materials become easier for teachers to use and easier for students to connect to the larger lesson.

What Are the Key Differences?

The biggest difference between core and supplemental��curricula��is the role each plays.

Core curriculum drives the main instructional plan. It helps determine pacing, alignment with standards, instructional priorities, and assessments. Supplemental curriculum should support the core plan and strengthen it, not compete with it.

Another difference is consistency. The core curriculum is usually used across a grade level, a department, a school, or a district. Supplemental curriculum is often used more selectively for students who need intervention, enrichment, a connection to a current issue, or additional practice.

There is also a difference in how decisions are made. Choosing a core curriculum is usually a major district decision. It may involve teachers, administrators, curriculum leaders, board approval, professional development, budgeting, and implementation planning.

Supplemental curriculum can sometimes be added more quickly, but it still needs to be reviewed. If too many tools are added without a clear plan, schools can end up with overlap, gaps, and confusion.

This is why��curriculum alignment��matters. Schools need to know where each resource fits, what needs it addresses, and how it supports the learning goal.

The core curriculum should be reviewed to ensure it aligns with standards, is clear for teachers, and is strong enough to guide instruction. Supplemental curriculum should be reviewed to ensure it aligns with the core curriculum, addresses a real need, and is easy for teachers to use.

The best supplemental materials do not distract from the core curriculum; they make it stronger.

Explore K-12 Curriculum Resources

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How to Know Which One Is Best for Your School

Schools usually need both core and supplemental curricula. The decision on which is best should start with the problem the school is trying to solve.

If a district does not have a consistent instructional foundation, the issue may be the core curriculum. If teachers are building everything from scratch, using very different materials, or struggling to align instruction with standards, a stronger core may be needed.

If the core curriculum is solid but students need more practice, enrichment, intervention, or real-world connections, then supplemental curriculum may be the better answer.

School leaders should start by looking at the current system. What materials are already in place? What are teachers actually using? Where are students struggling? Are there gaps in standards coverage? Are there too many resources? Are teachers clear about what is required and what is optional?

Teacher feedback is an important part of this process. Teachers know where materials are working and where they are not. Student work should also be part of the conversation. If students are consistently struggling with certain skills, schools should consider whether the curriculum provides sufficient instruction, practice, feedback, and opportunities to apply what they have learned.

Implementation matters too. Even quality materials will not help much if teachers do not have time to understand them, plan with them, and use them well. Curriculum decisions should include professional development, collaboration time, and a clear plan for how the materials will be used.

Making Curriculum Decisions That Support Learning

Curriculum decisions should make instruction clearer, not harder to manage.

An effective core curriculum gives schools the foundation for what students need to learn. It also creates consistency across classrooms and grade levels. Supplemental curriculum provides support where needed, helping teachers fill gaps, provide extra practice, extend learning, or connect lessons to real-world examples.

Both are valuable when they are used for the right reasons.

The important part is making sure they work together. Teachers should know which materials guide instruction and which materials support instruction. School leaders should know why resources were selected and how they connect to student needs. Students should experience learning that feels connected and organized.

That is why core vs supplemental curriculum��should not be treated as only a purchasing decision. It should be part of a larger conversation about instruction, student learning, teacher support, and district priorities.

Schools do not need more materials just to have more materials. They need the right materials, used in the right way, with enough support to make them work.

That is what leads to better learning.

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New for 2026: Social Studies Essentials (K-5)

DE Staff — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 19:28:43 +0000

Key takeaways

Ready-to-use lessons and built-in supports free teachers to focus on instruction, not lesson prep.
Embedded literacy strategies build reading comprehension and vocabulary through every social studies lesson.
Compelling primary sources and inquiry-driven activities inspire students to explore history and civics.

New for 2026

�Ǹ�� is constantly working to build and improve programs so that teachers can be even more effective, and students can make greater progress.��Social Studies Essentials��is no exception. During the 2026–2027 school year, �Ǹ�� is launching a brand new K–5 program built on feedback from educators and leaders across the country. The needs have been clear:��

Daily social studies instruction that engages and motivates young learners��
Support for building literacy and civic skills across the curriculum��
Reduced prep time and more instructional impact��

How will the new Social Studies Essentials address these priorities? Let’s look at three areas we’re especially excited about: empowering every educator with the tools and supports they need, strengthening literacy and critical-thinking skills through social studies content, and motivating students with inquiry-based learning.��

Empower Every Educator

Regardless of their background or experience with social studies, educators can make an immediate impact with Social Studies Essentials’ classroom-ready lessons and built-in implementation support. Editable slides, embedded standards, and printable resources translate into less time spent planning and more time spent teaching. What’s more, clear scope and sequences and pacing guides help teachers stay on track and meet instructional goals throughout the year, without starting from scratch.

Social Studies Essentials was designed with every teacher in mind. Whether someone is new to the subject or a seasoned social studies educator, the program provides the structure and flexibility necessary to succeed. Built-in differentiation supports ensure all learners can access grade-level content, while extension opportunities give teachers easy ways to challenge students who are ready to go deeper, all without requiring additional prep.

Assessment is built in, too. Embedded formative and summative assessments give teachers ongoing insight into student understanding, making it easier to adjust instruction and demonstrate growth. From the first lesson to the last, Social Studies Essentials gives every educator the tools, time-savers, and confidence to deliver effective social studies instruction every day.

Strengthen Core Literacy and Critical-Thinking Skills

That confidence in the classroom is only the beginning. Social Studies Essentials also gives teachers powerful ways to reinforce the literacy and critical-thinking skills students need across every subject.

Inquiry-based instruction in Social Studies Essentials asks students to investigate real places, people, and events. In doing so, they naturally develop critical-thinking and civic reasoning skills. Teachers can deepen learning further through built-in discussion activities and writing tasks that challenge students to form and defend their own conclusions (without adding extra planning to teachers’ plates!).

That’s not all inquiry-based instruction can do. It also puts literacy practice into meaningful context, helping students build skills they’ll use across every subject. Since Social Studies Essentials lessons naturally incorporate ELA standards, teachers can reinforce reading, writing, and vocabulary at the same time as social studies content. Here are some examples:

Authentic Literacy Practice

Students engage with short, digestible informational texts and primary sources that introduce real-world content at an appropriate reading level. Because these texts are connected to the inquiry at hand, learners have context for what they’re reading—making comprehension more attainable and retention stronger. Built-in vocabulary instruction in every lesson supports fluency and academic language development across grades K–5.

Civic Reasoning and Critical Thinking

Social Studies Essentials lessons prompt students to analyze evidence, consider multiple perspectives, and draw conclusions—the same skills at the heart of civic participation. Structured opportunities for discussion and debate help learners practice reasoning out loud, while writing tasks ask them to communicate and defend their thinking in age-appropriate ways.

Active Listening, Speaking, and Writing

Every lesson includes built-in opportunities for students to listen, discuss, and write, reinforcing ELA skills in an authentic social studies context. Whether sharing observations during a class discussion or responding to a primary source in writing, students practice communicating ideas clearly and confidently across online and offline activities.

Motivate Students with Inquiry-Based Learning

All of these literacy and critical-thinking skills are most powerful when students are truly engaged—and Social Studies Essentials was built to make that happen from day one.

When learning is engaging, relevant, and connected to students’ own worlds, that’s a recipe for capturing curiosity and keeping young learners coming back for more. Social Studies Essentials brings history, geography, civics, and economics to life through �Ǹ��’s original multimedia content, immersive learning experiences, and a rich mix of primary and secondary sources. Students aren’t just reading about the past; they’re investigating it.

At the heart of the program is civic inquiry: students ask questions, analyze evidence, and consider how the events and ideas of yesterday connect to the world they live in today. These authentic connections make social studies feel relevant and meaningful, even for the youngest learners. And because content is designed to be developmentally appropriate and accessible for grades K–5, every student can engage with confidence, not just those who already love history.

That’s what makes Social Studies Essentials so powerful. When students see themselves in the stories they’re studying and have the tools to investigate ideas that matter, learning becomes something they want to do.

Want to see Social Studies Essentials in action? Watch our on-demand Engage K–12 webinar for a more in-depth look at the program that’s available for this back to school!

Watch Now

Curious what Social Studies Essentials looks like in practice? Get a preview with these free sample lessons curated for America’s 250th anniversary—ready-to-use resources for each grade band that get students excited about American history, government, and civics as we celebrate this milestone anniversary.

Ready to bring Social Studies Essentials to your classrooms for the 2026–2027 school year? Book a demo to see the full program in action.

Book a Demo

The post New for 2026: Social Studies Essentials (K-5) appeared first on �Ǹ��.

Free Summer Professional Development for Educators

DE Staff — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:55:43 +0000

Key takeaways

In collaboration with �Ǹ��, IBM SkillsBuild provides free professional development credential courses for educators in AI, cybersecurity, and digital literacy
Educators can earn digital credentials over the summer to strengthen their teaching practice and stay current with emerging technology
The program is free, flexible, and designed to help educators adapt and thrive as technology continues to transform schools

Technology and AI are rapidly transforming our world, becoming increasingly integrated into our workplaces and schools. As technology moves at a fast pace, it is essential for educators and students to build the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in this digital age. Free professional development resources can help educators stay current and bring meaningful learning experiences into the classroom.

With support from �Ǹ��, IBM developed IBM SkillsBuild, a program that provides educators with free professional development credential courses focused on AI, cybersecurity, and digital literacy. These resources can help educators build their own knowledge, stay ahead of emerging technologies, and bring those skills back to their students.

Register for to gain digital credentials from free courses that teach you crucial skills needed to thrive in the digital world. These easy-to-use resources can equip you with various skills including AI fundamentals, cybersecurity essentials, and digital literacy giving you the confidence to integrate new technologies into your teaching practice.

Summer is the perfect time to invest in your own professional growth. With flexible, self-paced courses, you can build new expertise at your own pace and return to the classroom ready to inspire your students with the latest knowledge in emerging technology.

Get started in three easy steps:

Create your educator profile
Verify your email address
Enroll in a course to start learning

Ready? !��

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6 Free Summer Learning Resources for Student Growth

DE Staff — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 19:34:31 +0000

Key takeaways

�Ǹ�� offers six free summer learning programs covering career readiness, storytelling, immersive tech, health, soccer, and self-confidence
These corporate-sponsored programs are no-cost and designed to keep students engaged and growing outside the classroom
Each resource addresses a different skill area — from workforce readiness and SEL to STEM and physical health

Every child has dreams, and with proper guidance and support, they can discover who they are, build confidence, and dream even bigger. Education is more than just tests and packets. When students realize that, they can take ownership of their learning and unlock their full potential. Education is key to opening doors to endless opportunities, and as parents and educators, you can guide them there. As motivation can fade when students are out of school, summer is the perfect time to show your child that learning can be fun! �Ǹ�� provides free summer resources that extend academic growth beyond the classroom in a flexible, low-pressure way that empowers students to take control of their education.

�Ǹ��’s corporate partnerships bring learning to life by providing free resources that ensure equitable access to educational content for all students. This can bridge learning gaps and ensure all students have the chance to succeed both in and out of the classroom. From virtual field trips, hands-on STEM exploration, and career discovery to literacy, social-emotional learning, sports and movement, and AI and cybersecurity professional development, �Ǹ�� provides content that can keep your child productive in a way that is not overwhelming. As new emerging technologies continue to transform education, these resources can help students and educators adapt and thrive. Students learn best in different ways, and it can be difficult to ensure all students are reaching their maximum potential. These resources can help students find their own path and build their confidence to succeed, giving them a competitive advantage for their future.

Help your student see how classroom learning connects to real-world careers and technology skills. Dell Tech Career Circuit offers free instructional resources for educators working with students in grades 6–12, with lessons and activities focused on workforce readiness, career exploration, digital literacy, and technology-connected problem solving.

Through topics such as creativity and design thinking, customer service, sustainability and the circular economy, e-waste, cybersecurity, and real-world technology careers, the program helps educators bring future-ready learning into the classroom. Families can explore to learn more about the skills students need for the future and share the resource with teachers looking for flexible career-connected lessons.

Help your student discover the power of their own voice through storytelling. DC Superpowered Storytellers empowers students to build confidence, express their ideas, and create original stories inspired by the courage, resilience, and values of DC Super Heroes.

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Through classroom activities and a behind-the-scenes Virtual Field Trip to Warner Bros. Studios, students learn how stories are created, explore creative careers, and develop the communication skills to share what matters most to them. Visit to help your student think big, write boldly, and tell stories that make an impact.

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Step into the next-generation of education with immersive technology and take charge towards a solutions-focused future. Immersive learning provides many activities to engage your students in real-world problem solving.

With virtual and augmented reality tools, resources such as Sandbox and TimePod Adventures allow students to build and inhabit 3D worlds, travel through time, and face and solve challenges in these new environments. Explore to bring this experience to your student.

With this no-cost program, you can educate your student on important topics such as substance misuse, medication safety, and mental health. Emphasizing the importance of well-being is crucial to ensuring your student is both physically and mentally healthy. Visit to explore these resources.

Soccer for Success: Goals for Life uses the world’s game to help students build skills that matter both on and off the field. Through engaging resources and a Virtual Field Trip to Soccer City USA, students explore the science, strategy, and teamwork behind soccer while developing communication, leadership, resilience, and decision-making skills. By connecting soccer to STEM learning, student well-being, and real-world careers, the program helps students see how the lessons learned through play can support success in school and beyond. Explore : Goals for Life to inspire healthy habits and lifelong skills this summer.

Confidence is a powerful tool that influences all aspects of life, including mental health, relationships, and success in school and the workforce. The Amazing Me Program provides resources that allow students to build their self-esteem and develop a positive mindset.

Social-emotional growth is just as important as academics, especially because it is easy for students to compare themselves, lose confidence, and feel less motivated. It is important for parents and educators to provide tools that support students in building resilience. Visit to support your student’s confidence this summer.

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DreamBox Math: Common Q&A for Curriculum Evaluation

David Bryan — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:01:56 +0000

Evaluating curricula like �Ǹ��’s DreamBox Math for possible adoption is never simple or easy, but we want to help. Use this set of key questions with detailed answers as a guide to how our program can support educator and student success in your school or district.

See DreamBox Math in action with a demo.

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Key Questions and Answers about DreamBox Math

1. Does DreamBox Math support all three aspects of math rigor: conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and application?

Short answer: Yes, students actively do mathematics by building models, testing strategies, solving problems, and developing the conceptual understanding that leads to lasting fluency.

DreamBox Math’s instructional design follows the research-grounded progression of concepts first, then fluency. Our proven formula: virtual manipulatives + conceptual design = math fluency. Incorporating virtual manipulatives and visual models to build meaning before practicing procedures ensures student understanding is deep and transferable. As they progress, learners also build confidence and a love of math.

2. Is DreamBox Math content focused on grade-level priorities?

Short answer: Yes, districts can guide DreamBox Math’s adaptive engine toward state-assessment or district-priority standards, which no other program can duplicate.

Interactive lessons are backed by research and designed to accomplish pedagogical goals, then aligned to standards across all states. As standards change, we regularly update DreamBox Math alignments. What’s more, we’re always updating curriculum alignments to help teachers connect DreamBox Math to what they’re doing in the classroom.

At a broader level, districts now choose how DreamBox’s Intelligent Adaptive Engine prioritizes grade-level standards in support of their goals and objectives. The two Intelligent Adaptive Pathways are:��

Comprehensive: Prioritize the full K–8 curriculum depth and breadth.��
Focused: Prioritize key grade-level standards (state-assessed or district-selected).

Focused Adaptive Pathways let educators maximize every minute of their limited supplemental time on the standards that matter most.

More ways for educators to target grade-level priorities:

Interactive Curriculum Guide: Explore lessons by grade-level and/or standard.��
Assignments: Create by topic, standard, curriculum unit, and NWEA.

3. How well does DreamBox Math build coherence across grade levels and concepts?

Short answer: Extremely well, with a defined sequence for skills and concepts, personalized learning based on student thinking, and opportunities for educators and districts to adjust and prioritize instruction.

DreamBox Math has a sequence (aka trajectory or progression) for all skills and concepts, and the included Curriculum Guide can help educators visualize this trajectory across all grade levels and domains. Our curriculum is designed to support the process of learning and transfer of prior learning throughout grades K–8.

Instruction tailored to each individual: Every student gets a continuously evolving learning pathway based on how they think because DreamBox Math’s Intelligent Adaptive Learning automatically personalizes instruction within and between lessons. Students always start at their just-right level with the help of our Launchpad placement engine. Some lessons are intended to connect ideas between concepts taught at different grade levels and offer activities marked accordingly.

The new Intelligent Adaptive Pathways let districts prioritize grade-level standards in support of their goals and objectives through two options:

Comprehensive: Prioritize the full K–8 curriculum depth and breadth.
Focused: Prioritize key grade-level standards (state-assessed or district-selected).

These pathways set the focus based on a student’s rostered grade level but fill prerequisite work first.

Assignments: When needed, teachers can choose to assign lessons either long term or short term. Long-term assignments are perfect for targeting standards- or NWEA-aligned skills. Short-term assignments can be used to enhance curricular units and concepts.

Explore more of what DreamBox Math has to offer with a demo.

Request Demo

4. Does DreamBox Math develop mathematical reasoning and problem-solving, not just respond to correct answers?

Short answer: Absolutely! DreamBox Math reads and adapts to student thinking rather than just correct answers, so learners experience productive struggle, conceptual breakthroughs, and mathematical agency.

DreamBox Math is built on the idea that learning is personal, so personalization is essential. Its Intelligent Adaptive Engine responds in real time to every mathematical move a student makes (strategy, manipulative use, error patterns, decision sequences), adjusting instantly to their progress and performance. This results in:

Deeper misconception detection
Faster remediation
Transfer of learning

DreamBox Math lessons are purpose built to support thinking and reasoning with:

Virtual manipulatives: Students explore concepts with immediate visual feedback. Personalized hints support thinking without giving away answers.
Embedded assessment: DreamBox Math’s adaptive engine collects insights from every interaction, not just right or wrong responses.

What virtual manipulatives offer: Students explore ideas, test strategies, and discover solutions as they build, move, and reason with virtual manipulatives. They develop number sense, mental models, structural knowledge, and mathematical reasoning.

5. How effectively does DreamBox Math differentiate instruction for different learners?

Short answer: DreamBox Math delivers personalized lessons and targeted scaffolding that adjust in real time, ensuring every student is always working at the right level.

Teachers are amazing, but no human can personalize learning for 25 students all at once, offer infinite patience, and remember every student’s learning history. DreamBox Math automatically differentiates based on student thinking, so your team can focus on what they do best—build relationships with students, talk about math, develop discourse, and deliver instruction.

What automatic differentiation means: Continuous formative assessment captures students’ decisions in real time and enables DreamBox Math to adjust within lessons as students are working and between lessons to match each learner’s readiness. Each student gets a personalized pathway to develop mathematical reasoning and problem solving.

In the classroom, teachers can flexibly connect DreamBox Math to any context:

Preview concepts: Teacher-led math talks using Curriculum Guide lesson demos.
Fill gaps/check for understanding: Short-term assignments aligned to curriculum units.
Independent practice: Automatic differentiation builds foundations at each student’s own pace.
Early identification: Real-time insights reveal students who may need intervention before the next benchmark.

For targeted interventions, DreamBox provides:

Daily updated progress reporting that alerts teachers when students need extra support.
Lesson previews during whole- or small-group and 1:1 instruction.
Long-term assignments to target standards- or NWEA-aligned skills.
Short-term assignments to enhance curricular units and concepts.
Assignment Overview & History Report to monitor progress.

6. Does DreamBox Math engage students through active learning and meaningful practice?

Short answer: Yes, students using DreamBox Math are building models, manipulating objects, testing strategies, and solving problems, not clicking through a digital worksheet.

DreamBox Math immerses students in hands-on, gamified lessons using virtual manipulatives that help them make sense of abstract math concepts. Unlike programs that use math to deliver games, DreamBox’s gamified elements serve active mathematical problem-solving.

DreamBox Math lessons have four critical attributes that make learning stick:

Context: This creates purpose and engagement through meaningful, real-world situations.
Intentional numbers: Fairness, challenge, and curiosity spark student thinking. Numbers shape strategy opportunities and adapt to the learner. Standards are the floor, not the ceiling.
Manipulatives: Students use them to act, explore, and discover ideas for themselves. This drives authentic “lightbulb” moments for every learner.
Hints/Scaffolds: Students get just-in-time clarity that preserves thinking. They support explicit instruction without replacing reasoning.

Explore more of what DreamBox Math has to offer with a demo.

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7. Does DreamBox Math support mastery-based learning and allow students to progress at their own pace?

Short answer: Yes to both because we want students to develop deeper understanding and strong problem-solving skills to think through math, not just memorize it.

In DreamBox Math, students use hands-on exploration to:

Build mental models
Understand structures and relationships
Develop strategic thinking and reasoning

This results in problem-solving skills that transfer to contexts within and beyond the classroom, including assessments.

Standards mastery: DreamBox’s interactive lessons are backed by research and designed to accomplish pedagogical goals, then aligned to standards across all states. As standards change, we regularly update DreamBox Math alignments.

Benefits of personalization: DreamBox Math delivers personalized lessons and targeted scaffolding that adjust in real time, ensuring every student is always working at the right level—not stuck, not bored, just engaged and learning. And each student is productively challenged from day one, not wasting weeks on content they’ve already mastered, because our Launchpad placement engine starts them at their just-right level.

Personalized pathways driven by student thinking: Continuous formative assessment captures students’ thinking (strategy, manipulative use, error patterns, decision sequences) in real time. Then DreamBox Math relies on its Intelligent Adaptive Engine, which is built on 25+ years of math-specific learning science, to adjust within lessons as students are working and between lessons to match each learner’s readiness. Teachers get real-time visibility into student understanding without extra work.

8. What’s the evidence that DreamBox Math improves math achievement?

Short answer: DreamBox Math is backed by ESSA Strong (Tier 1) evidence across 13,000+ students in diverse districts, among other evidence.

We have proof at scale that when students use DreamBox Math at recommended levels, they show significant growth by various measures:

ESSA Strong (Tier 1) across 13,000+ students in diverse districts. ()
20 min/week on DreamBox → 2.5-point NWEA MAP gain, grades 3–5. (Harvard CEPR study)
8,000+ CA students: +10 points (K–2) and +7 points (3–5) NWEA MAP gains, (2–5+ lessons/week). (LearnPlatform by Instructure study)
K–2 RCT (24 schools, NC): significant outperformance, effect size +0.12. (�Ǹ�� 100,000-student study)

Note that DreamBox Math’s daily progress data gives you ROI visibility between benchmarks, not just at the end of the year.

9. What kind of data does DreamBox Math provide, and is it actionable?

Short answer: Unlike any other math program, DreamBox Math gives educators real-time insights into student thinking (continuous formative assessment data), so they don’t need to wait till the next benchmark to act.

With DreamBox Math, continuous formative assessment provides real-time insight into how students think and learn, not just whether they got a question right.

Plus, teachers have other reports and data that can inform instructional decisions:

Progress Report: Progress in DreamBox across the district’s school year in the focal areas of the standards.
Standards Report: Progress against individual grade-level standards.
Assignment History Report: Ideal for targeted instruction over time.
Assignment Overview: Active assignments and proficiency for the classroom at a glance.
Lesson Recommendations: The lessons each student has in their personalized pathways.
Lesson Highlights: Lesson replays by student, providing insight into understanding and areas of struggle.

New AI Classroom Assist (in beta): This transforms DreamBox Math’s continuous formative assessment data into clear, actionable recommendations, revealing struggling students, engagement concerns, rapid guessing, and assignment gaps—directly on the teacher Home Page. There’s no setup or training needed, and it keeps student data private.

District- and school-level data tracking: Administrators can see usage, progress, and standards proficiency across classrooms, schools, and the entire district, supporting accountability, strategic planning, and board-level reporting.

Explore more of what DreamBox Math has to offer with a demo.

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10. How well does DreamBox Math integrate into existing curriculum and instructional routines?

Short answer: DreamBox Math is a supplemental program aligned to 10+ published curricula and every state’s standards. It makes it easy for teachers to pull up a lesson that connects directly to what they’re teaching.

DreamBox Math fills the gaps that even the best core programs have: It’s the personalized layer the core alone can’t provide for every learner. In fact, a recent survey we conducted revealed that 77% of current partners agree that they use DreamBox Math to fill curricular gaps.

How does DreamBox Math fit so easily into your toolkit? We’ve aligned it to each state’s standards and more than 10 widely used curriculum programs, including:

Eureka Math
enVision
Into Math
Reveal Math
IM v.360
And many more!

DreamBox Math connects to these and other core curricula with research-backed instructional design and progressions. What’s more, it provides an interactive Curriculum Guide for lesson exploration and assignments by standard, topic, curriculum unit, and NWEA. This allows teachers to connect DreamBox to exactly what they’re teaching. No other supplemental curriculum offers this depth of alignment flexibility.

At a broader level, districts now choose how DreamBox’s Intelligent Adaptive Engine prioritizes grade-level standards. The two pathways are:

Comprehensive: Prioritize the full K–8 curriculum depth and breadth.
Focused: Prioritize key grade-level standards (state-assessed or district-selected).

Focused Adaptive Pathways let educators maximize every minute of their limited supplemental time on the standards that matter most.

11. How does DreamBox Math integrate with our LMS?

Short answer: DreamBox Math does not integrate with your LMS, but it does integrate with rostering systems like ClassLink or Clever and enterprise-level SSO.

12. Is DreamBox Math scalable, sustainable, and worth the investment over time?

Short answer: Without a doubt! DreamBox Math is purpose built to help teachers, schools, and districts make the most of every math minute, so students develop the understanding and problem-solving skills to be successful in school and beyond.

DreamBox Math helps districts scale high-quality instruction regardless of staff shortages, bandwidth, or instructor qualifications. It supports new, substitute, and stretched teachers without sacrificing responsiveness or instructional rigor.

With the included onboarding, professional learning, and ongoing support, teachers feel confident and successful from day one. And �Ǹ��’s Professional Learning team, comprised of experienced educators, provides relevant synchronous and asynchronous options to build capacity at any pace.
In the classroom, DreamBox Math is the partner that does what a human cannot: personalize learning for every student simultaneously, offer infinite patience, and provide continuous formative assessment. This frees teachers to focus on relationships, instruction, and discourse. Strengthening the classroom focus, DreamBox Math’s new AI Classroom Assist (in beta) brings to light struggling students and engagement concerns so teachers can act quickly to provide extra support.

DreamBox Math stands alone among supplemental curricula:

Unmatched adaptivity: Adjusts to student thinking in the moment
Built for thinking: Promotes strategic reasoning and deep understanding
Curriculum cohesion: Aligns to standards, curricula, and NWEA
Readiness beyond the classroom: Builds algebra readiness, college & career readiness, and STEM foundations

Investing in DreamBox Math means you get an effective teaching and learning tool that requires less time, is easy to implement and use, and has impact on a variety of measures—validated by more than a decade of independent research. In fact, one district saw over 5 percentile point achievement gains in just 8 weeks with one hour per week of usage.

Many districts choose DreamBox Math because it supports multiple priorities with one solution. As part of the �Ǹ�� Connected Ecosystem, DreamBox Math is not another point solution, it’s the adaptive learning pillar of a coherent K–12 partnership.

Explore more of what DreamBox Math has to offer with a demo.

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What to Consider Before Purchasing AI for Schools

Key takeaways

Begin with a clearly defined educational or operational need. An AI tool should solve a real problem, not just add another piece of technology to a district.

Pilot the tool in your own district with real students, real work, and a small group of users.

Decide what success should look like before the pilot begins so you can judge whether the tool is worth expanding.

What Should Schools Consider Before Purchasing AI Tools?

Does the Tool Solve a Real Problem and Align with Your Goals?

How Should Schools Evaluate AI Data Privacy and Security?

Why Do Teacher Training and Total Cost of Ownership Matter?

Explore Educational Technology Resources

5 Questions to Ask Before You Buy an AI Tool for Your School

1. What Specific Problem Will This Solve?

2. Will the Tool Work in a Real School Setting?

3. What Could Go Wrong, and How Will People Remain in Control?

4. How Will the Tool Protect Student and Staff Data?

5. What Will It Take to Implement the Tool Successfully?

Making the Right AI Purchasing Decision

Ready for Life: Building Skills, Confidence, and Healthy Habits That Last

Support Healthy, Informed Decision-Making

Build Confidence That Extends Beyond the Classroom

Teach Everyday Safety Skills Early

Address Substance Misuse Prevention Directly

Bring Financial Decision-Making to Life

More Life-Ready Resources on the Way

The Whole Student, Ready for What's Next

Ready to Learn: Bringing STEM and Academic Enrichment to Life Through Real-World Learning

Dig Into STEM with Real-World Problem Solving

Build Financial Confidence Through Real-Life Decision Making

Help Students Discover the Power of Data

Inspire Environmental Innovation

Design �Ǹ���� for a Sustainable Future

Authentic Learning Creates Lasting Learning

5 Largest Education Trends for the 2026-2027 School Year

Key takeaways

2026-2027 Education Trends will require schools to focus on the changes that matter most, not every new tool, program, or initiative.

AI, flexible learning, and new graduation pathways will require clear expectations so students are supported without lowering standards.

Students need learning that connects to life beyond school, including career readiness, real-world application, and the ability to manage challenges and responsibilities.

Responsible AI and Digital Literacy

More Meaningful Graduation Pathways

Personalized and Flexible Learning

Learning Beyond the Traditional Classroom

Embedded Student Well-Being and Readiness Skills

Preparing for the 2026-2027 School Year

Discover the Latest Education Data

Back to School: Helping Students Discover Their Future This School Year

Build AI Literacy for the Next Generation

Prepare Students with Future-Ready Skills

More Resources to Inspire Career Exploration

Discover Careers in Environmental Education Sustainability with ITRON

Explore Career Opportunities with CHS

Build Workforce Readiness with Dell Technologies

Continue Your Own Learning

Start the Year by Inspiring What's Next

Core vs. Supplemental Curriculum: Key Differences for Schools

Key takeaways

Core vs supplemental curriculum helps schools understand what each one is supposed to do and how both can support instruction.

Core curriculum provides the main instructional foundation for standards, pacing, lessons, and expectations.

Supplemental curriculum works best when it solves a clear problem, supports the core curriculum, and helps teachers meet student needs.

What Is Core Curriculum?

What Is Supplemental Curriculum?

What Are the Key Differences?

Explore K-12 Curriculum Resources

How to Know Which One Is Best for Your School

Making Curriculum Decisions That Support Learning

New for 2026: Social Studies Essentials (K-5)

Key takeaways

Ready-to-use lessons and built-in supports free teachers to focus on instruction, not lesson prep.

Embedded literacy strategies build reading comprehension and vocabulary through every social studies lesson.

Compelling primary sources and inquiry-driven activities inspire students to explore history and civics.

New for 2026

Empower Every Educator

Strengthen Core Literacy and Critical-Thinking Skills

Authentic Literacy Practice

Civic Reasoning and Critical Thinking

Active Listening, Speaking, and Writing

Motivate Students with Inquiry-Based Learning

Free Summer Professional Development for Educators

Key takeaways

In collaboration with �Ǹ����, IBM SkillsBuild provides free professional development credential courses for educators in AI, cybersecurity, and digital literacy

Immersive Learning | �Ǹ��

Design �Ǹ�� for a Sustainable Future

In collaboration with �Ǹ��, IBM SkillsBuild provides free professional development credential courses for educators in AI, cybersecurity, and digital literacy

�Ǹ�� offers six free summer learning programs covering career readiness, storytelling, immersive tech, health, soccer, and self-confidence