Pulse #03: Mind the Gaps: STEM, Staffing, and Spending

In a recent Class Disrupted episode, Rebecca Winthrop from Brookings shares why schools need to think ahead about AI’s impact. She suggests doing a “premortem” - imagining what could go wrong before it happens. Her biggest worries? Students relying too much on AI, risks of manipulation, and kids missing out on key social skills.

🧭 Key question for leaders: Can AI help us rethink the purpose of school, or will we fall behind while tech moves ahead?

New data from NWEA shows that the pandemic reversed decades of progress in closing the gender gap in STEM. While boys’ participation in key courses like Algebra I has rebounded, girls’ enrollment remains below pre-pandemic levels. Researchers urge school leaders to track STEM engagement by gender over time and create targeted supports that help girls catch up while examining why boys are advancing faster.

Facing a 14.2% chronic absenteeism rate, Paramus Public Schools has launched a district-wide plan aimed at reducing absences across all grade levels. Strategies include targeted supports for high-risk student subgroups, a freshman transition program, and attendance-linked senior privileges. Leaders say the plan is a long-term overhaul, not a quick fix, with the goal of driving rates below 10% by fall 2025.

Trump’s new tariffs are already raising prices on school essentials like Chromebooks, buses, and construction materials. Districts are fast-tracking purchases, canceling projects, and adjusting budgets as they navigate financial uncertainty caused by shifting trade policies.

[Educators See Promise in AI for Translation and Career Prep, But Not Mental Health] A global survey found most educators are using or plan to use AI soon, with strong adoption outside the U.S. While teachers see the greatest value in language translation, career readiness, and boosting academic performance, few believe AI can address top challenges like student mental health or behavior. 

[One Strategy That’s Paying Off] Districts partnering with UVA’s education leadership program are seeing results by using 90-day plans: short, focused cycles that align staff actions with student data. The approach helps schools set clear goals, monitor progress, and adapt in real time, leading to gains in achievement and leadership capacity.

[Navigating AI’s Role in the Classroom] AI tools offer creative potential, but their tendency to generate inaccurate information, or “hallucinate”, can lead to instructional challenges. Experts recommend guiding students on how to use AI responsibly, especially for brainstorming and open-ended tasks, rather than banning it outright. 

[Student Privacy Pledge Retired] Once a key safeguard, the Student Privacy Pledge has been phased out as state laws now govern data practices. Experts warn the move leaves gaps, especially as AI-driven surveillance grows and civil rights concerns go unaddressed.

Despite headlines, school closures have declined over the past decade even as enrollment continues to drop. Data shows only 0.8% of schools closed in 2023–24. Still, many districts are delaying tough decisions, often facing community pushback, unclear data, and equity concerns. Experts warn that waiting too long may deepen financial strain and leave future leaders with fewer options. A strong, transparent process with clear rationale and community input is key to long-term sustainability.

A new bill, AB 1454, would offer structured literacy training and materials to TK–5 teachers across California. The voluntary program emphasizes phonics and includes support for English learners through culturally responsive strategies. If passed, it marks a key move toward more consistent, evidence-based reading instruction statewide.

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