PowerSchool releases its 2026 K-12 EdTech Pulse, an annual study conducted with Project Tomorrow. The survey of more than 1,300 educators finds administrators now rank financial concerns as their top challenge, up from 14th in 2024. Half of educators cite AI-supported personalized learning as the top technology trend.
Matthew Lane, 19, faces four years in prison and about $14.1 million in restitution after hacking PowerSchool and extorting $2.85 million in Bitcoin. The breach involves leaked data tied to more than 60 million students and 10 million teachers, while negligence lawsuits continue.
PowerSchool says attackers used a compromised credential to access its PowerSource support portal during a late-December 2024 breach, exposing student and staff data in its student information system (SIS). The company says only the SIS was affected and offers credit monitoring and identity protection.
Bain Capital agrees to acquire publicly traded PowerSchool for $5.6 billion, valuing shares at $22.80 each. Under the agreement, Vista and Onex retain minority investments and PowerSchool is to remain a standalone business; the company serves more than 55 million students through 17,000 customers in more than 90 countries.
