EdTech news, week of October 12, 2026

Machine summary The report referenced postings on PhilJobs.com and included statements by Cameron Buckner, who has held an endowed chair in philosophy of AI at the University of Florida from 2024 onward. Separately, Rice University announced an AI initiative with faculty hiring and new programs on October 13, and Student Life reported WashU has started an AI faculty cluster hiring program.

1. Inside Higher Ed reports that in 2024 Cameron Buckner took an endowed chair in AI philosophy at the University of Florida.
2. Inside Higher Ed cited listings on the PhilJobs.com job board as evidence the AI-philosophy hiring trend is continuing

Reported by Rice University, Student Life, Inside Higher Ed and The Florida Bar.

• Inside Higher Ed
• University of Florida
• Rice University
• Student Life
• PhilJobs.com

Machine summary An Art & Science Group poll released Tuesday found 34% of students surveyed in summer 2026 dropped a college from consideration solely because of its home state's politics, up 10 percentage points from 2023. Including students who said politics partly or somewhat influenced their choices, the share reached about half of those polled in summer and winter 2026. Nearly three-quarters of the students who ruled out colleges on political grounds said the factor was already present when they first considered institutions.

1. 34% of students surveyed in summer 2026 said they ruled out a college solely because of its home state's politics, per the Art & Science Group poll released Tuesday
2. That share rose 10 percentage points over three years from the consultancy's 2023 measurement
3. Counting students who said politics partly or somewhat influenced their choice, the share reached about half of all students polled in summer and winter 2026
4. Among students who ruled out colleges over politics, nearly three-quarters said politics were a factor when first considering institutions and 59% said the same about deciding where to apply
5. Students who leaned conservative generally dismissed schools located in California, Colorado as well as New York, whereas those with a liberal tendency generally dismissed Texas, Florida, South Carolina, Louisiana, Alabama, along with Georgia.

Reported by Higher Ed Dive.

• Higher Ed Dive
• Art & Science Group

Reports ran from 10:51 UTC on Oct 14 to 21:32 UTC on Oct 17.

The outlets that reported this event are listed with links to their reports; no summary of ours passed our automated checks for it, which says nothing about the event (how they work).

Reported by Balkan Insight, Sky News, eKathimerini.com, via Google News, BBC and Reuters.

Machine summary Boston Public Schools has proposed prohibiting students from possessing personal electronic devices during the school day, according to a WHDH report on a memorandum to the Boston School Committee. The listed items include cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, personal laptops, Bluetooth devices and AI glasses, with school-administered devices provided as necessary and IEP-team exemptions preserved. The measure would cover Pre-K through Grade 12 across all BPS schools.

1. According to the draft, devices must be fully powered down instead of muted or set to vibrate, and stored securely and out of reach from one bell to the next, a span that includes class time, passing periods, lunch and recess.
2. The policy would apply to students in Pre-K through Grade 12 across all BPS schools, and personal laptops or tablets would not be permitted at school, with school-administered devices provided as necessary.
3. According to the report, an exemption would be given if a student's IEP team finds that a device is a necessary and reasonable accommodation supporting that student's education.
4. BPS stated the policy is intended to bolster students' mental health, involvement in academics, and school climate, referencing research indicating devices and social media harm learners' well-being and performance in school.

Reported by WHDH.

• Boston Public Schools
• AI glasses
• Boston School Committee

Machine summary Key facts from the reports:

1. CUTS says the combined figure called "20% VAT" is made up of 15% VAT, the National Health Insurance Levy at 2.5% and the Ghana Education Trust Fund Levy at 2.5%.
2. CUTS asserted that tax liability must never be decided solely on the basis of an online payment channel, and that exempt supplies must keep their exemption.
3. CUTS urged the government to conduct a review of the 20% tuition charge covering recognised foreign distance learning programmes, given that qualifying education of a comparable nature from approved Ghanaian institutions is not subject to VAT.
4. CUTS commended the Ghana Revenue Authority for dispute resolution arrangements covering wrongful deductions.
5. CUTS asked that exemption rules be clarified and that a transparent process be established for recognizing qualifying foreign distance learning programmes, directing this request at the Ministry of Finance, along with the Ghana Revenue Authority, plus the Ministry of Education.

Reported by citinewsroom.com and myjoyonline.com.

• Ministry of Finance (MOF)
• Ministry of Education
• Ghana Revenue Authority
• National Health Insurance Levy
• Ghana Education Trust Fund Levy

Machine summary California Department of Education figures referenced in the reports, LAUSD said, showed that on the 2025-26 Smarter Balanced tests 48.3% of pupils met or exceeded standards in English language arts, with 39.7% doing so in math. The results were up roughly 2 points in English and 3 points in math from the prior year, while more than 60% of students remained below standards in math. According to the reports, cuts totaling roughly $3.6 billion would be made over a three-year period under the district's budget plan, with an estimated 6,000 layoffs.

1. Data from the California Department of Education, as cited in the reports, showed that in English language arts 48.3% of LAUSD students hit or surpassed state standards on the Smarter Balanced tests for 2025-26.
2. 39.7% of LAUSD students met or exceeded state standards in math, gains of roughly 2 points in English and 3 points in math over the prior year
3. More than 60% of LAUSD students fall short of state standards in math and over half are not meeting basic literacy goals, the reports state
4. The statewide California average for math proficiency stood at 38.4%; LAUSD just beat that figure, whereas several major Southern California districts surpassed LA by wide margins.
5. On Oct. 6, the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team, a state body, told the LAUSD board that it judged the district to face a high risk of insolvency.

Reported by nypost.com and us.headtopics.com.

• California Department of Education
• Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team

Machine summary Alfaisal University and Prince Sultan University told students by email the same evening that classes would be held remotely that week. The directive covers all students, teachers and administrative staff, according to the administration's statement on its official X account.

1. The Riyadh Education General Administration said on Saturday, Oct. 17, that remote study for schools in Riyadh and Diriyah would run through Thursday, Oct. 22, covering students, teachers and administrative staff
2. Via its official X account, the administration stated that instruction is being conducted using the Madrasati platform alongside other approved educational platforms.
3. In the capital, schools switched to online classes on Oct. 11, one day following a missile attack on King Khalid International Airport that, per the General Authority of Civil Aviation, killed 12 people and left 309 injured.
4. Students at Prince Sultan University and Alfaisal University were emailed on Saturday night, with the message that classes for the week would run remotely.
5. On Friday, spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki announced that the Saudi-led coalition had intercepted three drones above the southern region and Riyadh, a pair of cruise missiles above the Red Sea, and one ballistic missile above Yanbu.

Reported by Arab News and CairoScene.

• King Khalid International Airport
• Alfaisal University
• Riyadh Education General Administration
• Madrasati
• Saudi-led coalition
• Prince Sultan University

Machine summary On October 14, 2026, the University of East London held a Partners and Friends Night at the Sheraton in Saket, New Delhi, recognising education agent partners, alumni and industry colleagues. Figures attributed to UEL's Impact in India 2026 report state that one of every 25 Indian students in the UK is enrolled at the university and that it has taught upwards of 15,000 students from 18 Indian regions over five years. The report names TCS, Cognizant, HSBC, Tech Mahindra and Infosys among the major employers of UEL alumni.

1. On October 14, 2026, at the Sheraton in Saket, New Delhi, UEL hosted its Partners and Friends Night, honouring partners among education agents as well as alumni and colleagues from industry.
2. One in every 25 Indian students pursuing higher education in the UK attends the University of East London, the Impact in India 2026 report from UEL states.
3. The university says it has taught upwards of 15,000 students from 18 Indian regions over the last five years.
4. UEL reports working with more than 2,500 employer partners worldwide across its careers-first model.
5. The university says it is strengthening a focus on careers-led education, graduate outcomes and long-term partnerships linked to employer and Indian economy needs.

Reported by The Hindu.

• Infosys
• HSBC
• Tech Mahindra
• The Hindu
• Cognizant
• University of East London