“We’re witnessing a move away from a culture that valued honor and integrity (Think of the social conditions that once made ‘a man of his word’ mean something.) toward one where ambition and prestige are the only markers of worth. Call it ‘striver culture.’ To a striver, the ends always justify the means.” ~ Daily Caller’s Natalie Sandoval
- According to the American Enterprise Institute…
- The overall US education tech market reached some $24 billion in 2024 and is expected to hit $90 billion by 2030.
- The US AI education market generated about $2.5 billion just last year and is expected to rise to more than $15 billion by 2033.
- A recent survey of more than 95,000 undergrads at 20 US public research universities found that:
- 9% used generative AI to cheat, and
- 25% of daily users cheated using AI.
- A recent EdWeek Research Center found that these are the biggest challenges facing schools this 2026-27 school year:
- 75%~ student behavior
- 62%~ student well-being and mental health
- 70%~ student engagement in learning
- 59%~ improving student achievement
- 45%~ preventing students from cheating via AI
- 42%~ budget uncertainty.
- Education Week‘s Elizabeth Heubeck writes that, In the 1950s, most kids were toilet trained around two; by the 2000s, it was just after three years old, and today they’re entering kindergarten in diapers and pull-ups.
- The latest in helicopter parenting is Concierge Service for Students. Founded by Tammy Kumin who calls it “… a mom away from home—a total support system for students.” Among the OSS team offers:
- Regular food deliveries
- Academic assistance
- Beauty and spa appointments
- Help with dinner reservations
- Help with gym membership
- Help with banking and bill paying support
- Apartment hunting, furniture building, party planning, doctor referrals, etc.
*** AI reports that total K-12 funding for the 2025-26 school year is projected to reach approximately $1 trillion, with significant increases in various states, reflecting a nationwide trend of rising educational expenditures.” AND YET…
6. The bi-partisan Government Accountability Office has found that:
- 14% of US schools are in poor or very poor condition.
- 33% are in fair condition but will need repairs in the next 5 years.
- 53% are in good or excellent condition.
- 16% have no plans to address such big-ticket items are plumbing & HVAC issues.
- 22% said water intrusion is a chronic problem
- 21% said excessive heat and/or cold is a chronic problem.
7. A recent nationwide survey of 5,500 pre-k to 12th grades teachers found …
- A high connection between administrative support and the number of teachers leaving/transferring;
- 18% of teachers planned to quit in the 2025-26 school year, and
- 55% of teachers reported frequent job-related stress.
8. Says the American Academy of Pediatrics, students need several recess breaks every day of at least 20 minutes, long enough to lessen stress and refocus kids, leading to: cognitive, physical, and social benefits.
9. Having lost in a federal appeals court on July 7, about $11 billion will be forgiven for 170,000 student loan borrowers.
10. Writes Education Week’s Elizabeth Heubeck, In the 1950s, most kids were toilet trained around two; by the 2000s, it was just after three years old, and today they’re entering kindergarten in diapers and pull-ups.
And that’s where we’ve landed as September winds down, and we welcome in October tomorrow.
~ With thanks, Carol
