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Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT are transforming school operations, helping district leaders streamline tasks and engage communities. Andrew Adams, executive director of business services for the Eden Prairie school district in Minnesota, used ChatGPT to navigate funding documentation, though he highlighted the importance of human oversight after identifying errors in AI-generated suggestions. Despite the challenges, Adams advocates for embracing AI, having launched an “AI for Dummies” class for the Minnesota Association of School Business Officials to encourage experimentation and learning. Similarly, Madeline Negrón, superintendent of New Haven schools in Connecticut, used the AI-driven tool ThoughtExchange to gather extensive community feedback for a five-year strategic plan. The tool’s ability to translate queries into 76 languages and analyze demographic-specific data enabled unprecedented outreach in the district of 19,000 students. Negrón plans to use AI for future projects, including crafting a "portrait of a graduate" to define key student skills. A recent EdWeek Research Center survey found strong support for AI among K-12 administrators, with 70% endorsing its use for tracking and analyzing community feedback. 

 

Education Week News

The banning of TikTok in the U.S. appears to be moving closer following a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which denied TikTok's petition to overturn a law requiring it to sever ties with Chinese parent company ByteDance Ltd. TikTok has requested a pause on the law's enforcement until the U.S. Supreme Court reviews its appeal. While some educators welcome the ban due to concerns over mental health and attention spans, others appreciate the platform for its ability to connect with students and serve as a professional development tool. TikTok argues that the ban would infringe on the freedom of speech of over 170m Americans, stating: “The TikTok ban, unless stopped, will silence the voices of over 170m Americans here in the U.S. and around the world.” Meanwhile, the platform faces additional legal challenges regarding its impact on children's mental health and privacy violations.

 

Education Week News

Texas policymakers are increasingly concerned about children's use of digital tools and social media, especially as the legislative session approaches. State Rep. Jared Patterson's House Bill 186 aims to restrict minors from having social media accounts, requiring age verification and allowing parents to remove their child's account. Patterson noted: “Heavily addictive social media platforms are destroying the lives of children in Texas,” highlighting the link between social media use and rising mental health issues. Experts such as Christina Green emphasize the need for education on online risks, while others argue that banning social media won't effectively protect minors. The U.S. Department of Education recently released a handbook to guide schools in creating device policies that promote safe digital citizenship. As discussions continue, the focus remains on balancing technology use in schools with the well-being of students.

 

Austin American-Statesman

New legislation proposed by Sen. Randy Fine aims to eliminate in-state tuition benefits for undocumented immigrants in Florida, potentially saving taxpayers $45m. Fine described the bill (SB 90) as a “no-brainer” to reduce government size and prioritize resources for Floridians. This move aligns with Gov. Ron DeSantis's goal to repeal benefits for students not legally in the country. The bill would affect students starting in the 2025-26 academic year and is expected to have a House companion soon. Fine emphasized: “While blue-collar Floridians are struggling to make ends meet, it is not fair to require them to pay $45m a year to subsidize sweetheart deals for college degrees to those who should not even be here.”

 

Florida Politics

Tennessee's legislature has enacted laws since 2022 to scrutinize school library books, reflecting a national trend of conservative legislation aimed at restricting educational materials. Despite the establishment of a review process, no book challenges have been approved or are pending. Linda Cash, chair of the Tennessee Textbook and Instructional Materials Quality Commission, expressed surprise at the lack of appeals, stating: “It’s been surprising.” Although the commission has hired full-time staff to manage anticipated appeals, only three have been filed, all of which were withdrawn. Local debates over library content have intensified, leading to the removal of at least 1,100 books in the early academic year, as new laws expand restrictions on materials deemed inappropriate. The commission's role remains focused on approving state textbooks and providing guidance for local reviews.

 

Chalkbeat

Peter DeWitt, a former K-5 principal and leadership coach, along with Michael Nelson from the Instructional Leadership Collective, highlight the challenges faced by school principals. A 2019 report by the Learning Policy Institute and the National Association of Secondary School Principals revealed that 42% of principals have considered leaving their positions, primarily due to workload. Education Week identifies 10 common themes related to personal and leadership workload, emphasizing the need for support in areas such as balancing responsibilities, time management, and staff collaboration. DeWitt states: "Leaders can't control the situations that happen to them on a daily basis, but they can control how they react to them," underscoring the importance of managing stress for mental well-being. The insights aim to foster a supportive environment for principals to enhance their leadership effectiveness and student outcomes.

 

Education Week News

A report by the National Council on Teacher Quality highlights that 43% of Texas' teacher workforce comes from historically disadvantaged groups, surpassing California's 33%. Texas also outperformed expectations, with 8.1 percentage points more teachers from these groups compared to working-age adults with degrees, though the number has slightly declined since 2014. In contrast, California's diversity gap widened to 12.8 percentage points despite a modest increase since 2014. Experts attribute Texas’ success to its growing diverse population and targeted recruitment efforts, while California struggles with affordability and systemic barriers in retaining diverse educators. Nationally, teacher diversity lags behind the broader college-educated workforce, raising concerns about systemic inequities in education. 

 

Newsweek

The State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (STRS Ohio) is issuing bonus checks to retirees this month, funded by $300m from investment returns. The bonus is calculated by multiplying the sum of years of service and years retired by $40. For instance, a teacher who retired 10 years ago after 35 years of service would receive approximately $1,800. Additionally, STRS has temporarily lowered the retirement service requirement, allowing teachers to retire a year earlier. This change affects about 13% of the 175,000 active teachers in the system and is available from June 2025 to July 2027. Laura Bischoff, a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, highlights that these adjustments come after years of benefit cuts, as the STRS board aims to restore some benefits.

 

The Columbus Dispatch

Deane Elementary, part of the Jeffco school district in Colorado, is among 31 schools receiving federal Title I funding due to a significant percentage of at-risk students. However, a recent decline in Medicaid enrollment has raised concerns about potential funding losses. Superintendent Tracy Dorland reassured parents that Edgewater Elementary would still qualify for Title I funds next year, despite worries from parents like Angela Cryan, who stated, “Whatever that amount is, it is too much to lose for our students.” The district reported that 6,000 students were unenrolled from Medicaid, impacting the at-risk student count. Jeffco's current threshold for Title I funding is 55%, but this may change. The district is also exploring options to phase out funding for schools that may lose eligibility due to demographic shifts.

 

Chalkbeat

New Jersey is set to receive a $42m federal grant to enhance preschool programs across 22 school districts. The funding, part of the American Rescue Plan Act, aims to create 1,493 new pre-K seats and support various initiatives, including the construction of new classrooms and the transition from half-day to full-day programs. The initiative follows a previous funding round that allocated over $74m for preschool facilities.

 

NJ.com

The New Jersey Children's Foundation has received a $1m grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to enhance special education programs in Newark charter schools, focusing on historically marginalized students, including those from low-income backgrounds and communities of color. Seven Newark charters, including KIPP NJ Newark Collegiate Academy and Philip’s Academy Charter School, will receive $100,000 each under the grant to implement the IGNITE Network's evidence-based strategies. These include employing data cycles to design classroom practices and using dashboards to track progress. The funding aims to address criticism that charter schools often struggle to serve students with disabilities adequately. Krishna Barroso, chief academic officer at Philip’s Academy, highlighted the importance of hiring interventionists to improve Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and identify students with unmet special needs.

 

NJ.com

A Wisconsin law firm, Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, has accused the Green Bay School District of violating a student's civil rights. The complaint, filed on behalf of Colbey Decker, alleges that her son, who is white, was denied one-on-one reading intervention due to his race. The district's literacy strategy prioritizes resources for First Nations, Black, and Hispanic students, which the letter claims discriminates against students of other races. Cory Brewer, education counsel for WILL, stated: "Our client's son is not even on an equal playing field to get services that he needs." The district is investigating the allegations and asserts that no such discriminatory policy exists. WILL demands a colorblind approach to resource allocation and immediate support for Decker's son, threatening legal action if changes are not made by December 16.

 

Green Bay Press Gazette

In a call for change, Darrell Steinberg, the outgoing mayor of Sacramento, emphasizes that Democrats must address the disconnect between public education and the modern workforce to regain working-class support. He notes that "the frustrated 16-year-olds of today are tomorrow's swing voters," highlighting the need for a dynamic education model that prepares students for high-wage jobs, regardless of college attendance. Steinberg points to California's investment of over $3bn in career pathways as a positive step, yet stresses that three-quarters of high school students lack access to such programs. He advocates for a comprehensive reform that integrates career pathways into core academic subjects, ensuring that education is relevant and prepares students for the workforce. The Democratic Party's future hinges on this educational transformation, which could serve as a model for national policy.

 

The Fresno Bee

In the 2023-24 school year, only 50% of U.S. K-12 students utilized school buses, marking the lowest rate in a decade, according to School Bus Fleet's 2025 Fact Book. This decline is attributed to various factors, including pandemic-related disruptions, frustrations over late buses, and budget cuts. Despite this downturn, special-needs ridership has increased, with 22% of passengers reported to have special needs in 2024, up from 14% in 2023. The Washington Post noted that “the school bus is disappearing,” reflecting broader trends in transportation preferences. While challenges persist, the market for school buses is projected to grow, with estimates suggesting an increase from $2.41bn to $3.04bn by 2029. The industry remains resilient, adapting to changing demands and exploring new opportunities.

 

School Bus Fleet