Volatility as Education’s New Normal

This school year began with over $6 billion in federal K-12 funding unexpectedly frozen—triggering widespread disruption that continues to be felt, even after some funds were released. For many education leaders, it’s the latest reminder that volatility is no longer an exception in public education; it’s the baseline.

Compounding this financial uncertainty are evolving policy debates around school choice, curriculum restrictions, inclusive practices, and student support services, while AI continues to flood the market with new tools—forcing district leaders to make hard tradeoffs and find the balance of innovation, evidence, and impact.

In this conversation, special guest moderator and ASU+GSV President Tiffany Taylor will join Jennifer Lee to host an in-depth discussion of Theme 6 from GSV Ventures’ Forecast for Learning & Earning in 2025–2026. With perspectives from sitting and former superintendents Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodríguez, Dr. Nicolas Wade, and Dr. Simone Wright, educators will gain practical peer insights for navigating a new era of instability:

Why now: What’s driving volatility, and how is it shaping budget and policy decisions at every level?
What it means: How are students, educators, and school communities experiencing the impact directly?
What’s next: What can education leaders do to build more coherent, student-centered, and future-ready systems—even in the midst of uncertainty?