Report reveals how schools are using technology, including AI, to tackle teacher burnout, student engagement, and budget uncertainty

PowerSchool, a leading provider of cloud-based software for K–12 education, today released the 2026 K–12 EdTech Pulse, an annual national research study conducted in collaboration with Project Tomorrow. The report captures the perspectives of more than 1,300 educators and administrators and examines how school systems are adopting technology, data, and artificial intelligence (AI) to address their most urgent challenges and strengthen their schools. The 2026 K-12 EdTech Pulse is the latest edition of PowerSchool’s annual national study, formerly known as the Education Focus Report.

The findings show that while K–12 educators are facing intensified pressures, from teacher workload and staffing shortages to declining enrollment and funding disruptions, many are increasingly optimistic about the role technology can play in creating more effective, student-centered, and financially sustainable school systems.

“What we’re seeing in this year’s report is a clear shift from viewing technology as a collection of tools to seeing it as a system-level enabler,” said Trip Kucera, Vice President of Innovation and Research at PowerSchool. “District leaders and educators are looking for coherent, connected approaches that use data and AI responsibly to give teachers time back, help students succeed, and strengthen relationships with families, while also allowing districts to make confident decisions in the face of real financial uncertainty.”

“The 2026 findings show that educators are ready to move beyond tools and toward system‑level solutions that improve teaching, learning, and student outcomes,” said Dr. Julie Evans, Chief Executive Officer of Project Tomorrow. “With the right data and technology, schools can create the future-ready learning experiences students deserve.”

Key Findings from the 2026 K–12 EdTech Pulse

Teacher workload and staffing remain top challenges; financial concerns double year-over-year

• Across roles, teacher workload and staff vacancies continue to rank among the most significant challenges facing schools.
• For district administrators, financial concerns rose from the No. 14 challenge in 2024 to the No. 1 reported challenge today.
• District administrators point to political uncertainty and economic fluctuations (49%), unanticipated costs due to legislative mandates (42%), and challenges in forecasting student enrollment (31%) as the biggest budget pressures.
• As a result, one in three budget leaders (32%) are considering or have already delayed tech upgrades/maintenance.

AI is emerging as a critical support tool for teachers

• 50% of educators say AI tools that support personalized learning could have the greatest impact on their effectiveness over the next two to four years, citing it as the top technology trend.
• 40% of classroom educators believe AI’s biggest contribution to boosting teacher effectiveness will be supporting the reduction of procedural and administrative work through AI agents
• Respondents report that educators in their district are already using AI to draft communications (57%), research and support lesson planning (46%), and track student progress and performance trends (29%), with the potential to free up time for instruction and relationship-building.

Schools are rethinking student engagement through personalization and data

• While 58% of respondents rate their districts at least “well” in meeting the needs of modern learners, just 20% say their district is doing “very” or “extremely well.”
• 42% of educators and administrators acknowledge their current approach is not meeting the minimum level needed to fully engage students.
• While a majority (58%) say their school or district has adopted a technology-enabled multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS), less than half (42%) said it was fully implemented; 33% said it was in progress and 11% are in planning stages.

Attendance and early intervention are top tech priorities

• Teachers and admins say technology can make its greatest impact by tackling student absenteeism. Attendance alerts ranked as the most valuable tech-powered notification, cited as “most helpful” by 78% of district administrators surveyed.
• 71% of respondents see high value in AI-powered early-warning systems to help identify students at risk of not graduating.

Family engagement is shifting from communication to connection

• Effective family engagement in 2026 requires combining digital convenience with stronger relationships, not relying solely on traditional communication methods. Consistency in communication via newsletters and apps (68%), providing convenient access to student performance via an app or portal (60%) and creating a welcoming experience for parents at school (59%) were top strategies for building more effective communication and engagement.
• Schools are increasingly using mobile apps, parent portals, and social media while also making structural changes, such as flexible scheduling and more welcoming school environments, to better engage families.

Budget and student enrollment uncertainty is driving demand for technology-driven solutions

• With declining enrollment and unpredictable funding, 44% of district administrators say strategically budgeting to protect core instruction and maximize limited resources is a paramount objective.
• Many districts are also beginning to apply technology-driven marketing strategies—such as website optimization (52%), storytelling through social media (47%), and participating in virtual community events (31%) to attract and retain families.

In 2025, PowerSchool formed the PowerSchool Research Institute, which studies and shares insights on emerging edtech priorities, usage, and trends. The survey informing the 2026 K–12 EdTech Pulse was conducted by Project Tomorrow on behalf of the PowerSchool Research Institute and is based on national responses from more than 1,300 K-12 educators and administrators. The findings were supplemented by interviews and roundtable discussions with education leaders, including Digital Promise and 1EdTech and informed by Project Tomorrow’s nationally recognized Speak Up Research Project.

For more information and to view the full 2026 K-12 EdTech Pulse, visit https://www.powerschool.com/pulse/.

About PowerSchool

PowerSchool is a leading global provider of cloud-based software for K-12 education. Its mission is to empower educators, administrators, and families to ensure personalized education for every student journey. PowerSchool offers end-to-end product clouds that connect the central office to the classroom to the home with award-winning products including Schoology Learning and Naviance CCLR, so school districts can securely manage student data, enrollment, attendance, grades, instruction, assessments, human resources, talent, professional development, special education, data analytics and insights, communications, and college and career readiness. PowerSchool supports over 60 million students in more than 90 countries and over 18,000 customers, including more than 90 of the top 100 districts by student enrollment in the United States.

About Project Tomorrow

Project Tomorrow’s vision is ensuring that today’s students are well prepared to be tomorrow’s innovators, leaders, and engaged citizens. We believe that authentic learning experiences enable all students to develop the skills and mindsets needed for future success. Our work spans Efficacy Studies and Research that measure the real-world impact of educational innovations, the nationally recognized Speak Up Research Project that amplifies the authentic voices of millions of K–12 stakeholders, and New Learning Model Programs that support schools in designing future-ready teaching and learning. Since 2003, we have provided education leaders, teachers, and parents with research-based insights that drive data-informed decisions, improve student outcomes, and create more effective learning experiences for all. Learn more at www.tomorrow.org.

© PowerSchool. PowerSchool and other PowerSchool marks are trademarks of PowerSchool Holdings, Inc. or its subsidiaries. ** Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260202498899/en/