Indiana Early College Summit 2026

When difficulty feels isolating, unclear, or high-risk, the brain protects itself. However, when rigor is sequenced thoughtfully and grounded in trust, students rise.

This session reframes what it means to ask students to do hard things. Through concrete instructional moves, we will explore how intentional sequencing builds trust, creates confidence, and develops stamina without lowering expectations. By the end of our time together, participants will know how to help students solve challenges that may initially appear impossible using a framework for designing how they will embrace hard things and thrive.

The Beyond Rigor publication responds to a critical blind spot in state policy: dual enrollment has become a major statewide strategy without being intentionally designed or governed as one. This interactive presentation will take a comprehensive approach to this complex challenge through a three-part structure that connects analysis to policy design and statewide implementation.

The rise of generative AI has sparked concerns about academic integrity in K-12 education. In this interactive session, participants will face the challenge of completing a task using AI tools while attempting to outsmart cheating detection programs. This hands-on simulation will provide a unique opportunity to explore the capabilities of AI tools and open up practical conversations about the fears, challenges, and opportunities of using AI in the classroom. Whether you’re skeptical or excited about AI’s role in schools, this session will challenge your thinking and inspire new ideas.

This session is designed for district and system-level leaders eager to explore opportunities for building readiness at the systems level. Participants will assess the current state of their system using aiEDU’s Readiness Rubric and develop actionable next steps to strengthen their system’s approach to AI readiness. Discover aiEDU’s proven process for developing district-level guidelines and policies.