EdWeek Market Brief Bett UK 2026 Session Summary
During a standing-room only EdWeek Market Brief breakfast at Bett 2026, education leaders explored the forces currently reshaping the U.S. education landscape—and what publishers and edtech providers should do to stay aligned with fast‑moving state priorities. Dan Verdick, Westchester Education’s Director of Client Solutions, attended the 2-hour session and provides a detailed summary of what education publishers and edtech companies should consider prioritizing in the year ahead.
State-Level Funding Rules the Market
With federal funding in flux and state legislation shifting rapidly, publishers and edtech firms must be prepared to show clear correlations to state standards. Decision-making authority rests heavily with superintendents, making it crucial to equip sales teams with tools that demonstrate alignment and proof of impact.
A bright spot: California recently announced an unexpected $22B increase to its education budget, much of it fueled by taxes on AI firms—an encouraging sign for continued investment at the state level.
Potential Cuts in a Federal Funding Crisis
If federal support were to collapse, district leaders report they would first cut:
- Professional development
- Device purchases
- Summer learning staff
- Instructional resources
This underscores the need for vendors to show both usage and clear value to protect renewals and adoptions.
Phonics Dominates the Reading Landscape
“Science of Reading” mandates now exist in 40 states, with California and Texas doubling down. Texas’ new statewide curriculum, the Texas Bluebonnet, is emerging as a must‑align framework for any company selling into the state.
Social-Emotional Learning Rebrands for a New Era
Social-Emotional Learning remains a necessity, but the terminology is shifting. Districts increasingly are opting to use terms like “Character Education” or “Mental Health Skills.” Only a small share of educators reject SEL outright, signaling that demand remains strong—even as language on what to call it evolves.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Is Also Evolving, Not Disappearing
Despite persistent political pressures, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives remain essential as students in U.S. classrooms grow increasingly diverse. Yet, most educators say current materials don’t provide enough support. While some states are pulling back, others are still prioritizing efforts in this area —making adaptable communication and positioning vital.
Portrait of a Graduate: The Next Big Shift
Several states, New York among them, are looking to migrate from traditional exit exams to broader “Portrait of a Graduate” goals focused on durable skills such as critical thinking, media literacy, civic engagement, and workplace readiness—opening new opportunities for resource development.
Here are steps companies should be taking now:
- Refresh state correlations and clearly communicate alignment.
- Equip sales teams with state-specific messaging and evidence of impact.
- Prepare adaptable DEI and SEL positioning to match regional sensitivities.
- Align reading products with phonics and science‑of‑reading mandates.
- Track new graduate‑skills frameworks to anticipate emerging content needs.
As the largest education market in the world continues to shift day by day, flexibility and clear communication remain the most valuable tools for ensuring success. Contact Westchester Education to learn how we can help you navigate these changes and respond to support your customers.