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Artificial intelligence (AI) policies are crucial for providing clarity to staff and students regarding appropriate technology use in schools. A survey by the EdWeek Research Center revealed that nearly half of teachers, principals, and district leaders reported their schools lack an AI policy, while 16% indicated existing policies do not offer meaningful guidelines. Only Ohio and Tennessee mandate comprehensive AI policies for school districts. Tracey Metcalfe Rowley, senior director of educational technology for Tucson Unified School District, emphasized the importance of community input in policy development, stating: "A lot of AI policies are about student use, but many teachers, principals, and district leaders are also using the tools." Best practices for crafting effective AI policies include ensuring flexibility, addressing data protection, and pairing policies with professional development to enhance understanding and implementation among staff and students.

 

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The integration of AI in special education is rapidly increasing, with fifty-seven percent of special education teachers reporting its use for drafting Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or plans under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Olivia Coleman, an assistant professor at the University of Central Florida, stated: "Teachers, and especially special education teachers, are overwhelmed by paperwork, and it's crowding out time for instruction and collaboration." While AI can streamline the IEP writing process, it raises ethical and legal concerns, particularly regarding student privacy and potential biases in AI outputs. Only two states, Ohio and Tennessee, have mandated AI policies for districts, highlighting a significant gap in guidance for educators. As AI tools evolve, the need for responsible usage and training becomes increasingly urgent to ensure that IEPs remain personalized and effective.

 

Education Week News

The trial over the 2023 shooting of teacher Abby Zwerner by a 6-year-old student has begun, focusing on former assistant principal Ebony Parker’s alleged negligence. Zwerner’s attorney claims Parker ignored warnings that the child had a gun, contributing to the incident. The civil suit seeks $40m in damages; Parker is the sole defendant after others were dismissed. She also faces a separate criminal trial on eight felony child neglect charges—each carrying up to five years in prison—marking a rare legal case against a school official.

 

Fox News

CNN Edition

On Wednesday, members of the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) gathered at the Illinois Capitol to advocate for increased education funding and to promote taxing the wealthy. IFT President Stacy Davis Gates emphasized the need for lawmakers to prioritize public education, stating: "I'm not looking for a fight... Democrats in a blue state that understand the tyranny of Trump need to show up for our children in Illinois." The union is particularly focused on ensuring that public school districts and universities receive adequate funding, as many districts, including Chicago Public Schools (CPS), remain significantly underfunded. CPS currently requires $1.6bn to reach full funding under the state's formula. The IFT also supports a proposal in the Senate to implement an evidence-based funding formula for higher education, which has faced challenges in gaining support.

 

Chalkbeat

On Tuesday morning, principals and administrators of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) negotiated a tentative agreement, successfully averting a planned strike. The deal includes a $7,500 pay raise for union members and a 2% raise for the next three years, along with a clause ensuring raises align with those of other district unions. Anna Klafter, principal at Independence High School and president of the principals' union, stated: "I think we were able to get a fair deal that recognizes the work we do and also works within this sort of dim fiscal reality we’re living in." The agreement comes amid ongoing negotiations with the teachers' union and follows significant staff reductions due to budget cuts.

 

EdSource

The trial over alleged fiduciary breaches by STRS Board Chairman Rudy Fichtenbaum and former member Wade Steen is underway, with Judge Karen Held Phipps presiding. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost accuses them of improperly pushing for QED, an investment firm rejected by STRS after failed due diligence. “I thought that was crazy; $65bn is an extraordinary amount of money,” said former STRS investment chief Matt Worley. STRS, managing $100bn for 500,000 retirees, has faced past controversies. A new law shifting board power to political appointees is also under legal challenge.

 

The Columbus Dispatch

Families of two boys suspended by Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) have filed an amended federal complaint alleging retaliation for questioning a transgender classmate’s use of the boys’ locker room. Legal groups America First Legal and the Founding Freedoms Law Center argue that LCPS’s Title IX investigation was flawed and relied on “non-credible evidence,” according to attorney Ian Prior. The complaint also accuses LCPS of working with a political group to target the students. The U.S. Department of Education previously found LCPS had discriminated against the boys by failing to investigate their concerns.

 

Fox News

The Texas Education Agency has taken control of Fort Worth ISD due to repeated academic failures at Forest Oak Sixth Grade campus, which earned its fifth failing grade in 2023. TEA Commissioner Mike Morath has replaced the elected board with a state-appointed board of managers and a new superintendent. Superintendent Karen Molinar admitted, “There has to be ownership for that.” Despite recent gains in test scores, the district faces a $44m deficit and uneven school performance. This marks Texas’s 11th school district takeover since 2000, sparking debate over local control.

 

U.S. News

With 1.8m New York City residents—including 500,000 children—at risk of losing SNAP benefits on November 1, schools are racing to provide emergency food support. “If you're on SNAP, you're living on the edge already,” said Principal Ben Geballe of M.S. 131. Schools are launching food distribution efforts using their own budgets and forming community partnerships. Governor Kathy Hochul has pledged $30 million in state aid, and districts are working to repurpose existing infrastructure to help ensure students don’t go hungry as the crisis unfolds.

 

Chalkbeat

San Diego Unified School District is developing a Student Wellness Index to better assess student well-being, with a pilot planned by May 2026 through partnerships with San Diego State University and the county education office. Superintendent Fabi Bagula said few districts prioritize wellness as SDUSD does. The initiative follows expanded post-COVID mental health support, which has already improved student-teacher relationships and reduced chronic absenteeism. “We must use data to support students and families,” said Roman del Rosario, executive director of data insights at SDUSD.

 

EdSource

Many recent college graduates are facing challenges in entering the workforce due to economic uncertainty, a tight job market, and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky advises students to focus on developing enduring skills, stating: "People should study things they're interested in, and they should develop skills they'll always need." He emphasizes the importance of leadership and communication skills, urging companies to continue hiring for entry-level roles to cultivate future leaders. An analysis from Revelio Labs indicates that entry-level job postings have decreased by approximately 35% from January 2023 to June 2025. Chesky warns that if young people cannot secure jobs, there will be a lack of candidates for strategic positions in the future. He concludes that predicting which industries will remain safe from AI disruption is futile, advocating for continuous learning and curiosity.

 

CNBC

Hawaii's new Direct2UH initiative guarantees all DOE high school seniors admission to seven community colleges, with those holding a 2.7+ GPA also accepted at UH West Oahu and UH Hilo. UH Manoa will join the program next year. University President Wendy Hensel highlighted the move’s goal of simplifying college access, but advocates like David Sun-Miyashiro of HawaiiKidsCAN caution that without expanded financial aid and counseling, the initiative’s impact may fall short. The program targets students previously unlikely to consider higher education by raising awareness and easing entry.

 

U.S. News

A viral TikTok trend known as “six-seven,” inspired by a 2024 song by rapper Skrilla, is disrupting classrooms nationwide. With over two million posts online, students are shouting the phrase during lessons, affecting focus. “They’re not paying attention,” said Danielle Kopp, a New Jersey teacher. Some educators are countering the distraction with creative strategies—like embedding the trend into lessons—while others, including school principals, have banned it during class time. April Anderson, a Michigan teacher, found students quickly lost interest once the trend was acknowledged and incorporated.

 

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