You are receiving this email newsletter because you are a subscriber of Education Slice (formerly Principal News) or you signed up for our email newsletter on our site.

An analysis by the Digital Promise nonprofit indicates that several themes are emerging across the states that have released guidance on using artificial intelligence (AI) in K-12 settings. As of late February, California, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia, have all released guidance to help school district leaders navigate AI in K-12. Common themes include AI literacy instruction, equity and inclusion concerns, protecting student data privacy, and securing personal information. A separate review of state AI policies, by Arizona State University’s Center on Reinventing Public Education, found conversations shifting away from last year’s focus on plagiarism and bans, and moving toward urging teachers to use AI to enhance student learning, and their own effectiveness in the classroom. The varying guidance documents from states also echo a theme initially pushed out in May 2023 by the U.S. Department of Education, which emphasized a human centered approach when using such technology. The report stressed that schools adopt a “humans in the loop” strategy, meaning educators should be the key decision-makers for the use of AI in their instruction, rather than allowing AI tools to completely replace teachers. It’s expected that the department will release more resources for K-12 school leaders on AI use at the end of this year.

 

K12 Dive

School Leadership’s Guide to Building an Online Learning Program

No two students learn the same way, and alternative options for education have never been more necessary than they are right now. According to a recent study, 81% of parents believe online learning helps their children better prepare for the future and 94% believe it positively impacts their children’s ability to understand courses.*

This guide will help school and district leaders like you learn more about the fundamentals of online learning and its benefits. Topics include:

• Debunking common myths about online education
• An outline of the first steps to create and implement a new program
• Strategies for creating open communication with parents, students, and staff
• How to select the best industry partner to help develop your new program

*FlexPoint 2021 Parent Survey

Download the Guide

 

Broward County Public Schools is considering closing some schools due to low enrollment. About 28% of public schools in the district have an enrollment under 70%. Superintendent Peter Licata attributes this trend to the growing number of charter schools and parents' use of vouchers. The decision pending could include grade level reconfigurations, school boundary changes, repurposing, or selling. School Board Chair Lori Alhadeff wants to see a long-term facilities assessment plan. Pompano Beach commissioner Beverly Perkins is concerned about the impact on vulnerable students and urges education officials to avoid closures. Licata also emphasizes the need to develop a strategy to persuade parents to choose public schools. "We're not just looking to close schools. We're looking to make sure we can get some kids back," Licata said.

 

Local10

The Villages Charter School in Florida is looking to hire between 80 and 100 new staff members, while other districts like Sumter County and Marion County, are also holding job fairs to attract quality candidates. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that 79% of public schools nationwide are having difficulty filling teaching vacancies. Florida is not immune to the problem, with subjects like exceptional student education, English, math, and science in immediate need of teachers. The state is projecting nearly 10,000 vacancies for the 2024-25 school year. To address the shortage, Sumter County Schools is partnering with TPG Cultural Exchange to bring in foreign teachers. The hiring events and job fairs aim to fill positions in various roles, including support staff and bus drivers.

 

The Villages Daily Sun

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has now signed a law banning diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in public schools, making Alabama one of the few states to enact such measures. The law prohibits public schools from having diversity, equity, and inclusion offices and teaching "divisive concepts" about race and identity. It also requires public higher education institutions to designate bathrooms for males or females, opposing transgender rights advocates. Texas and Utah have already passed similar legislation, while other states have introduced such bills.

 

U.S. News

The local public school district in Monroe County is increasing its efforts to teach students information technology skills. The district is creating a new pathway for students to register for multiple IT courses and earn nationally recognized certificates. According to Superintendent Theresa Axford: "IT is becoming increasingly important." This initiative is in response to student demand and aims to equip students with the skills needed for the digital age.

 

Keys News

The Santa Rosa Education Foundation has invited all schools in the Santa Rosa School District to nominate one teacher for the 2024 Santa Rosa Rookie of the Year award. Eligible for the award are full-time teachers in their third year or less of teaching, regardless of their teaching experience in Santa Rosa public schools.

 

Navarre Press

Less than half (47%) of public schools in the United States rate themselves as doing a “very good” or “excellent” job preparing students for college, according to a nationally representative survey released by the National Center for Education Statistics Tuesday. Schools in high-poverty neighborhoods were less likely than more affluent schools to say they did an “excellent” or “very good” job at college preparation. Schools with higher populations of students of color, those in high poverty neighborhoods, those in rural areas, and those with fewer than 1,000 students reported offering fewer AP courses on average. Nearly 90% of high schools align their graduation requirements to admissions requirements at public colleges or universities, and just 62% include college and career milestones in their graduation requirements. A higher percentage of high schools said they did a “good” or better job preparing students for the workforce (86%) than for college (77%).

 

K12 Dive