Microsoft rolls out Elevate for Educators and expands AI tools across K–12 and higher education
Microsoft has announced a package of new education programs, AI-powered teaching tools, and student offers as it scales its education strategy around Microsoft 365 Copilot and workforce readiness.
Microsoft has announced a broad expansion of its education portfolio, combining new professional development programs for educators with AI-powered teaching and learning tools built into Microsoft 365, alongside new offers for higher education students and institutions.
The updates, shared across two education-focused blog posts, position AI skills, credentials, and classroom integration as central to Microsoft’s education roadmap, with several tools available at no additional cost for education customers and others tied to a new academic Copilot offering.
Microsoft launches Elevate for Educators with global rollout
At the center of the announcement is Microsoft Elevate for Educators, a new program designed to bring together professional development, credentials, and educator communities under a single framework.
The program is part of Microsoft’s wider Elevate commitment, which aims to support more than 20 million people in gaining AI-related skills over the next two years. Elevate for Educators is available now and targets both K–12 educators and school leaders.
It includes year-round access to global educator communities, free professional development resources, and credentials aligned to AI literacy and instructional technology. Microsoft confirmed that school systems and ministries will also be able to receive formal recognition for supporting educator development and demonstrating classroom-level impact.
Professional learning is delivered through the AI Skills Navigator, which offers self-paced courses, live sessions, and AI-powered simulations in more than 13 languages. Microsoft also confirmed that a new AI in Special Education course will launch at Bett UK 2026.
Matt Jubelirer, General Manager, Education Marketing at Microsoft, writes, “Trustworthy AI, combined with practical skills for educators, can amplify teacher expertise making instruction more responsive, freeing time for human connection, and ensuring every learner can actively participate in the opportunities of this new era.”
AI teaching tools expand inside Microsoft 365 Copilot
Alongside the new educator program, Microsoft is expanding AI-powered tools inside Microsoft 365 Copilot that are designed specifically for teaching and learning.
Teach, now available in the Microsoft 365 Copilot app, allows educators to generate and adapt lesson plans, quizzes, and rubrics, as well as adjust reading levels, length, and difficulty using AI prompts. Microsoft says Teach is available at no additional cost for education customers, with learning management system integration planned for later releases.
Microsoft is also introducing the Study and Learn Agent for students aged 13 and older. Built around learning science principles, the agent supports concept understanding, practice, and guided study using adaptive exercises, flashcards, and quizzes. The tool is positioned as a longer-term learning companion rather than a content generation shortcut.
Deirdre Quarnstrom, Vice President, Education at Microsoft, writes, “By creating AI experiences grounded in learning science, we can more effectively support the process of learning for students and shift focus on the use of AI for quick content generation to nurturing the growth of skills over time.”
For institutions using Copilot+ PCs, Microsoft Learning Zone adds on-device AI experiences that allow educators to create and track interactive activities. The app draws on content from partners including NASA, OpenStax, PBS NewsHour, the Nobel Peace Center, World Wildlife Fund, and Minecraft Education, with learning management system integration expected in 2026.
Academic Copilot pricing and student offers confirmed
Microsoft also confirmed new commercial and student-focused offers tied to its education AI strategy.
An academic version of Microsoft 365 Copilot will be available from December 2025, priced at $18 per user per month for educators, staff, and students aged 13 and older. The offering includes access to Copilot agents such as Researcher and Analyst, Copilot Tuning, and enterprise data protection controls.
For higher education students, Microsoft is offering a limited-time 12-month bundle of Microsoft 365 Premium and LinkedIn Premium Career at no additional cost, subject to eligibility and regional availability. The company says the offer is intended to support both academic work and career readiness.
Microsoft cited early usage data from institutions including Brisbane Catholic Education and the University of South Carolina, highlighting reported time savings for educators, administrators, and students using Copilot tools.
Leigh Williams, CIO at Brisbane Catholic Education, says, “Microsoft 365 Copilot has helped save significant time for our educators and staff, empowering them to focus on the reason they came into education—supporting student learning and personalizing education in ways that weren’t possible before.”
ETIH Innovation Awards 2026
The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 are now open and recognize education technology organizations delivering measurable impact across K–12, higher education, and lifelong learning. The awards are open to entries from the UK, the Americas, and internationally, with submissions assessed on evidence of outcomes and real-world application.
