Week in Edtech 2/18/26: Student AI Walkouts, 26 States Push Phone Bans, Khan India Lessons, Utah Math Shakeup, Higher Ed Under Pressure, and More! Feat. Brandon Smith of Integrity Advocate

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Feb 27, 2026

Brandon Smith, CEO of Integrity Advocate, former law enforcement proctoring expert focused on assessment integrity. Peter Stiepleman, career educator and superintendent turned leadership podcaster. They dive into student ChatGPT walkouts and how AI is reshaping classrooms. They cover 26-state phone ban pushes and K–5 screen limits. They discuss Utah’s math overhaul, Khan Academy’s India rollout, rural district collaboration, and stresses on higher education.

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INSIGHT

India Could Leapfrog With AI Because Scale Demands It

India may be primed for AI-driven edtech because extreme student-to-teacher ratios create a 'burning platform' for scalable solutions.
When paired with implementation capacity and funding, AI tools can fill gaps impossible to solve with human labor alone.

ADVICE

Free Specialists With AI To Focus On Human Work

Use AI to automate routine tasks in interventions so specialists spend time on human connection and complex instruction.
Examples include AI listening and scoring for speech practice, tracking errors, and drafting IEP language for therapists to act on.

INSIGHT

Math Progression Changes Rebalance Access And Rigor

Utah's math overhaul shows tensions between accelerating access (more students to calculus) and preserving rigor; progression choices reshape equity and advanced-course ceilings.
Pushing Algebra I to eighth grade affects both remediation risk and ceiling access for high-achieving students.

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Join hosts Ben Kornell and guest host Peter Stiepleman, host of The Imperfect Leader, as they explore AI in schools, screen-time policy, math reform, higher ed disruption, and the future of assessment integrity.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00] Peter Stiepleman on leading with “ed, not tech” when implementing AI in schools
[00:06:33] Seattle-area student walkout over ChatGPT access sparks debate on AI in classrooms
[00:08:11] 26 states advance phone bans and K–5 screen-time legislation
[00:10:59] Khan Academy’s failed India rollout shows implementation, not tools, drives impact
[00:16:26] Whether global systems may leapfrog the U.S. in AI-powered education
[00:18:38] AI-supported speech therapy and reading intervention free educators for human connection
[00:20:55] Utah’s math overhaul ignites debate over data science, calculus acceleration, and rigor
[00:27:24] Rural districts innovate through regional collaboration and expanded course access
[00:29:14] Higher ed faces declining endowments, enrollment pressure, and early college expansion
[00:35:09] Anthropic co-founder argues AI will increase the value of humanities degrees

Plus, special guest:
[00:39:10] Brandon Smith, CEO of Integrity Advocate, on AI-driven cheating, proctoring reform, and protecting assessment integrity

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