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Recent Editions
Education Slice
National
A "deepfake" audio recording of a principal making derogatory comments has sparked serious concerns in Baltimore County, showing the damaging potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in schools. The incident involved Dazhon Darien, the athletic director at Pikesville High School, who created a fake audio of Principal Eric Eiswert uttering racist and antisemitic remarks. This deepfake not only divided the community but also led to Darien’s arrest for multiple charges, including theft and disruption of school operations. The case highlights a growing issue within educational settings, where the misuse of AI technology can lead to significant harm. Principals and school officials, often public figures due to their roles, are particularly vulnerable to such attacks, which can damage reputations and lead to serious professional consequences. The ease of creating deepfakes and the challenge of distinguishing them from real recordings complicate the response even further, raising fears among educators about their potential misuse. School districts are currently ill-equipped to handle the rise of deepfakes, lacking policies to govern the use of AI and protect against its abuse. This incident underscores the urgent need for educational institutions to develop strategies to mitigate these risks, including educating staff about AI, updating policies, and incorporating AI detection tools.
Full IssueEducation Slice
California
A pair of reports have highlighted the vulnerabilities and weaknesses in oversight and auditing of California charter schools. The reports, issued by the Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Anti-Fraud Task Force of the California Charter Authorizing Professionals, have called for actions to address and deter future attempts at fraud by charter school operators. The reports emphasize the importance of oversight in protecting public funds and maintaining public confidence in the education system. The scandals involving charter school operators A3 Education and Inspire Charter Schools, which resulted in the theft of millions of dollars, have exposed the lack of effective supervision by small school districts. The reports recommend auditing reforms and improvements in oversight, including stricter scrutiny of third-party contracts and annual financial audits. They also propose controversial measures such as limiting the ability of small school districts to authorize charter schools and establishing a statewide Office of Inspector General to investigate and prosecute financial fraud. The reports aim to bring about reforms and strengthen accountability in the charter school system.
Full IssueEducation Slice
Texas
As allegations of antisemitism intensify in educational settings, Politico looks at how House Republicans are extending their scrutiny beyond universities to include K-12 public schools. This shift comes in response to what they perceive as a growing trend of antisemitic rhetoric and incidents, particularly in the wake of the Israel-Gaza conflict. Key educational leaders from California, New York, and Maryland are scheduled to appear before a House Education and the Workforce subcommittee to discuss their schools' responses to these incidents. The focus on K-12 institutions aims to address the broader implications of student protests and allegations of harassment, which have not garnered the same level of media attention as those on college campuses. Rep. Aaron Bean, spearheading the initiative, highlighted the significant uptick in antisemitic activities in schools post the October 7 Hamas attack, labeling the trend as "extremely concerning and utterly unacceptable." The proactive stance by House Republicans reflects a growing desire to tap into public concerns about antisemitism, potentially transforming these hearings into a pivotal political issue. Critics, however, argue that the sessions may be more about capturing political gains rather than fostering meaningful dialogue or solutions. David Banks, Chancellor of the New York City school system, criticized the approach as potentially divisive, suggesting that it could detract from genuine efforts to resolve issues of hate and discrimination in schools.
Full IssueEducation Slice
Florida
A recent federal report on public education finance highlights potential financial challenges for U.S. schools with the looming expiration of federal COVID-relief aid. During the 2021-22 school year, schools experienced unprecedented funding variations, with states like Utah spending approximately $9,500 per student while New York spent over $29,000. Notably, federal funding surged during the pandemic, comprising 13.7% of total educational funding, significantly higher than the typical 8-10%. This infusion helped schools navigate the pandemic's challenges but is set to expire soon, causing many districts to consider cuts such as teacher layoffs and school closures. The report also noted a 2.6% decrease in state funding and a 2% drop in local revenues when adjusted for inflation. Schools have rapidly utilized the Emergency Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds, with billions spent on immediate pandemic needs. However, as these funds dry up by September 30, with the possibility of extensions, districts face rising costs, especially in food and transportation services, which saw increases of 21.3% and 14.5% respectively. Salaries and benefits remain the largest expenses, consuming $595bn of the $767bn total spent on K-12 education. Instructional expenses accounted for nearly 60% of spending, emphasizing the high cost of maintaining educational staffing and quality amid financial constraints. As federal aid diminishes, schools must navigate these fiscal challenges without compromising educational quality.
Full Issue