A state education agency has issued an RFP for instructional materials for world languages, while a New York school system wants universal pre-K services.

The Biden administration’s recent guidance for how states should carry out end-of-year tests could force changes in everything from the design of exams to how they’re scheduled.
A Virginia district is looking to award a yearly contract for classroom science supplies, and a major purchasing cooperative in California is searching for a social-emotional learning assessment system.
Renaissance has acquired Nearpod, in a merging of companies that bring a focus on classroom assessment and interactive features designed to boost student engagement.
Where Venture Capitalists Are Investing as Districts Shift to In-Person Education
Firms Eye Products For Families, and Those That Can Be Delivered in Multiple Environments

Investors are putting a premium on companies that have the products and expertise to span distance learning and a return to in-person lessons.
Spending on artificial intelligence in education will rise from $800 million to $6.1 billion over the next four years, according to projections from HolonIQ.
A Texas school system is searching for a vendor to provide career and technical education, and an Arizona school system is accepting bids for speech/language pathology services.

The National Apprenticeship Act passed the House last week. The bill proposes a plus-up in funding for apprenticeship and youth apprenticeship programs, including for areas like computer science and cybersecurity.
A major Virginia district is in the market for K-5 classroom science kits, and a Missouri district wants student field trip software.
Inside One District’s Effort to Bring Reliable Internet to Disconnected Students
The Killeen District in Texas Is One of Many That Has Scrambled to Improve Online Access

The networks director of the Killeen, Texas, school system talks about how the district has worked with telecoms to make remote learning possible.