Welcome to Big Ideas 2025.
We know this year has been anything but typical for educators. It’s been marked by uncertainty, from massive changes at the federal level to economic disruptions to looming questions about artificial intelligence and instruction. With schools sitting at the nexus of all of this, we also think it’s an important moment for recalibration. What might we be able to learn collectively from the upheaval? And how can these lessons drive education’s future?
The contributors to this year’s Big Ideas special report offer both reported essays and opinion pieces detailing how political mechanisms might affect what happens in the classroom, key instructional considerations for AI, opportunities for immediate academic wins, the future of science education, and more. Many of the questions they raise are new, some perennial—but they all speak to the specific moment we are in.
We hope you’ll find this coverage helpful as you approach the challenges of a new school year and plan for the future.
Let us know what you think by connecting with us on social using #K12BigIdeas or by emailing bigideas@educationweek.org.
—Elizabeth Rich, Executive Project Editor for Big Ideas
We know this year has been anything but typical for educators. It’s been marked by uncertainty, from massive changes at the federal level to economic disruptions to looming questions about artificial intelligence and instruction. With schools sitting at the nexus of all of this, we also think it’s an important moment for recalibration. What might we be able to learn collectively from the upheaval? And how can these lessons drive education’s future?
The contributors to this year’s Big Ideas special report offer both reported essays and opinion pieces detailing how political mechanisms might affect what happens in the classroom, key instructional considerations for AI, opportunities for immediate academic wins, the future of science education, and more. Many of the questions they raise are new, some perennial—but they all speak to the specific moment we are in.
We hope you’ll find this coverage helpful as you approach the challenges of a new school year and plan for the future.
Let us know what you think by connecting with us on social using #K12BigIdeas or by emailing bigideas@educationweek.org.
—Elizabeth Rich, Executive Project Editor for Big Ideas
How Trump Is Changing the Federal Government’s Role in SchoolsWhen Donald Trump waded into the fight over a high school mascot, it revealed a lot about his true education agenda.
Science Is Losing the Battle for America’s Trust. How Schools Can Help (Opinion)I grew up a creationist and became a science educator. Here’s what I know about building trust in science.
Is There a Healthy Middle Ground on AI in Schools? Try Skeptical OptimismHow students and teachers can learn to put a human touch on everything AI produces.
High Quality Research Rarely Informs Classroom Practice. Why? (Opinion)The connection between education research, policy, and practice is broken. Here’s what it would take to fix it.
Students Have Questions About Our Democracy. Is Civics Class Up to the Task?How today’s messy political realities are crashing against traditional civics education.
Educators' Political Preferences Don't Always Reveal Their K-12 Positions (in Charts)Teachers and school and district leaders share their opinions on a host of hot-button issues.
5 Big Ideas That Will Define the Future of EducationWith massive federal changes and looming questions about AI, K-12 education is at a crossroads.
Big Ideas in EducationBig Ideas questions the status quo and explores opportunities to help you build a better, more just learning environment for all students.
Reported essays in Big Ideas 2025 draw on findings from a research study supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, which underwrites coverage of post-high school pathways and overcoming polarization. Education Week retains sole editorial control over the content of this coverage.