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A "deepfake" audio recording of a principal making derogatory comments has sparked serious concerns in Baltimore County, showing the damaging potential of 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 perhaps even incorporating AI detection tools. As AI technology evolves, so too must the safeguards against its misuse in schools to protect educators and uphold the integrity of educational environments.

 

Education Week News

Congressional Republicans are scrutinizing blue-state school administrators for what they perceive as a spread of antisemitic rhetoric and conduct in schools, notably during the Israel-Hamas conflict. At a recent hearing, administrators from California, Maryland, and New York defended their policies against critiques from conservative lawmakers concerned with the enforcement of disciplinary actions against both students and staff involved in antisemitic incidents. The hearing, led by Florida Republican Rep. Aaron Bean, highlighted specific cases, including a riot at Hillcrest High School in Queens, New York, against a Jewish educator. House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik questioned the New York City Schools Chancellor, David Banks, about the continued employment of certain school personnel and the actions taken against students chanting antisemitic slogans. Administrators emphasized their commitment to addressing antisemitism, implementing discipline, and educating students on mutual respect and handling sensitive issues. Despite the criticisms, they described efforts to retrain principals and discipline offending parties, underscoring the challenges of balancing educational integrity with the need for a safe learning environment. The session underscored ongoing tensions and the complex responsibilities of educational leaders in navigating incidents of hate speech versus free speech, and the broader implications of such conflicts within the educational system.

 

Politico

Seven more Republican-led states have filed lawsuits to challenge a new federal regulation aimed at protecting the rights of transgender students in schools. The lawsuits argue that the regulation, which seeks to clarify Title IX, is unconstitutional and goes beyond the intent of the law. The states joining the lawsuits are Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Many Republicans have been seeking to limit the rights of transgender youth, including restricting bathroom usage and pronoun usage in schools. The new federal regulation applies to all schools that receive federal funding. At least 21 GOP states are now challenging the new rules. The Biden administration's rules broadly protect against discrimination based on sex, but do not offer guidance on transgender athletes. Lawsuits have also been filed in Texas, Alabama, Louisiana, and Kentucky. The multiple challenges increase the chances of putting the rule on hold nationally. "The interpretation of the Biden administration is completely inconsistent with the statute and the way it's been interpreted for decades," said Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin.

 

U.S. News

Design issues with the new FAFSA form have resulted in a multitude of errors and delays, causing frustration for students and university administrators. The flawed rollout has led to a significant drop in federal aid applications in Florida, with thousands of applications containing errors or missing information. According to the president of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, approximately 40% of applications were miscalculated or lacked necessary information. The Department of Education has been slow to address these issues, which include bugs, outdated data and formula errors. The enrollment deadlines for many schools have been extended, but the timeline remains tight for students to make decisions and appeal their financial aid offers.

 

Tampa Bay Times

Some rural school districts, particularly those with greater poverty levels, are set to face steep budget reductions when COVID-19 emergency funding closes this September. The federal government issued historic amounts of pandemic relief aid through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) to states and districts across the country. However, by the end of September 2024, the relief aid will end indefinitely, leaving districts to operate with significantly smaller budgets. Rural districts accessed an average of $5.7m in aid in the final wave of ESSER funding, meaning the average rural district may face a budget reduction of roughly $2,000 per student. The cliff gets steeper for rural districts serving high-needs students. How school districts spent ESSER funds determines how easily they will navigate the fiscal cliff.

 

The Miami Herald

BRPH, a Brevard-based company, is offering six $1,000 grants to teachers in Florida, Alabama and Georgia. The grants will go toward hands-on STEAM-related projects that teachers might not have funds to pursue. Eligible teachers must apply online by August 31, providing a detailed description of their proposed project and how it relates to STEAM. Recipients of the grants will be announced in September.

 

Florida Today

School districts in the Tampa Bay area are struggling to attract teachers and staff due to a shortage of applicants. To address this issue, districts are turning to better pay as a way to attract potential hires. The Pinellas County School Board is proposing to double the tax rate and provide extra pay to all faculty and staff, except for top-level administrators. Meanwhile, Hillsborough County is seeking voter support for a local tax initiative to boost pay. The teacher and support employee unions in Hillsborough County have also requested an additional $80m for salaries and benefits. The article highlights various other education-related news, including waiting lists for K-8 schools, book challenges, cell phone use debates, charter conversions, construction projects, school closures, school safety measures, superintendent selections, testing strategies, Title IX compliance and higher education updates.

 

Tampa Bay Times

Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) is seeking a sales tax extension to fund $2.7bn worth of school projects, including the construction of new schools and renovation of existing campuses. The district warns that without the extension, the 10-year construction proposal would be more of a wish list than a feasible plan due to rising construction prices and budget constraints. The school board has unanimously voted to put the sales tax extension referendum on the November ballot. OCPS hopes that voters will approve the extension, as the tax has been critical in maintaining and building new schools. The district also faces the need to update and redo existing campuses, which accounts for the bulk of $8.9bn in capital program costs. The sales tax currently covers over 45% of the district's capital funding, with local property taxes and impact fees providing the rest.

 

Orlando Sentinel

The Lincoln Park Education Center, a new school in the Lake County School system, is hosting open enrollment for students interested in flexible learning and career readiness. The center offers an 18-credit option for students who balance their education with part-time work or other obligations. Students can earn a high school diploma while gaining valuable job skills and potentially earning post-secondary credits. The center is developed in partnership with Lake Technical College and Lake Sumter State College, offering on-site dual-enrollment options. The center aims to provide a direct link from Lake County schools to employers, offering industry-specific training programs. The center will open in the fall and also offer adult education classes. The former Clermont Elementary, now renovated, will serve as the Lincoln Park Education Center.

 

Daily Commercial

Girls in Pasco County are fighting for the inclusion of flag football as a sport in their high schools. Currently, Pasco is the only county in the Tampa Bay region that does not offer flag football for girls. Despite lobbying efforts from girls and their parents, the schools have claimed there is no funding available. This has left girls like Max Luedy, an 8th grader with a passion for flag football, worried that she may not be able to continue playing. Max's father, John Luedy, expressed frustration, stating: "To know that if she doesn't have that opportunity and we don't get it in high school and afford the same opportunity to her that we have in all surrounding counties." The girls are pushing for equal treatment and the chance to play the sport they love.

 

Tampa Bay Fl News

A 15-year-old student was arrested for making a false bomb threat at Ridge Community High School in Haines City. The threat, sent via email, claimed that bombs had been placed in multiple buildings on campus. Law enforcement officers evacuated the school and searched for explosive devices while investigators traced the threat to a school-owned laptop issued to the 15-year-old student. After confessing to sending the threat, the student was arrested and faces four felonies and one misdemeanor charge. No explosive devices were found on campus, and students were allowed to return to class. Haines City Police Chief Greg Goreck commended the prompt action taken by officers and warned that every threat is treated seriously with severe consequences.

 

Tampa Bay Fl News

Florida's Miami Dade College is set to launch the first bachelor's degree program in artificial intelligence (AI). The four-year program aims to apply AI in the real world based on industry demands. The program has attracted students of all ages, including those with law and education degrees, who recognize the impact of AI on various fields. The college's dean of engineering and design, Manny Perez, said: “As we continue to grow, Miami continues to be a tech hub, so it's important to provide these degrees that align with the needs of the workforce."

 

NBC Miami