As schools explore what AI can do, it's just as important to consider what it should do. This week’s article on AI grading reminded me of my time as an ELA teacher. Reading my students’ writing wasn’t just about checking for grammar or structure. It was how I got to know them. Their voice, their thinking, their stories.
We can embrace AI and still protect the human parts of learning that matter most. The key is using it thoughtfully. We should use it to support, not replace, the relationships and feedback that help students grow.
1️⃣ The Big Picture
A new report shows uneven progress for children since 2019, with major setbacks in reading, math, and preschool access. Students of color continue to face greater challenges, including widening academic gaps, higher poverty rates, and more youth deaths. Pandemic-era supports that had helped stabilize families have expired, making it harder to build on recent gains.
2️⃣ The Latest in AI
To help schools adopt AI responsibly and confidently, Amanda Bickerstaff, CEO of AI for Education, recommends starting with these four steps:
Set responsible guidelines that align with your district’s mission and encourage open exploration.
Build an AI literacy plan that includes educators, students, and the broader community.
Form an AI committee with diverse voices to lead and model best practices.
Provide foundational training so everyone understands how to use AI tools thoughtfully and effectively.
Some schools are turning to AI to grade essays quickly, but teachers warn this could harm how students see writing. When bots replace human feedback, students may stop believing their words matter. Experts say AI can help during the writing process, like brainstorming or revising, but the final feedback should come from a real person who sees the writer, not just the rubric.
3️⃣ Teaching & Learning
Indiana is leading a national push to make paid apprenticeships a common part of high school, offering students hands-on experience in fields like healthcare, law, and engineering. The model appeals to teens who want real-world learning and a paycheck, not just a diploma.
A Chicagoland teacher helped students see themselves as leaders and change-makers by centering global issues like the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Through projects, international partnerships, and a trip to advocate for school funding, students gained confidence, civic skills, and purpose. Global learning enriched the curriculum and showed that their ideas matter in shaping a better world.
4️⃣ Tech Trends
Protecting student data doesn’t require a massive budget or a big IT team. Look for these five cybersecurity green flags when evaluating edtech tools:
Clear, understandable privacy policies that outline what data is collected, why, and how it’s used.
Strong separation between student and adult data in systems and privacy practices.
Independent certifications like the Common Sense Privacy Seal or 1EdTech Trusted App.
Ongoing security practices, including regular testing and a documented incident response plan.
Data minimization, with no repurposing of student information for ads and clear deletion protocols.
5️⃣ Policy Watch
U.S. schools are seeing lower enrollment due to fewer births, more families choosing homeschooling, and students missing school. Experts warn this could shrink school budgets and force school closures, especially as federal COVID relief funds run out. States like California and New York could lose over 10% of students by 2032.
6️⃣ Equity in Action
EdTrust is urging states to go beyond the science of reading and focus on equity in how it’s delivered. Their latest report outlines six key moves: use evidence-based, identity-affirming materials; tailor supports to student needs; start early; invest in teacher training; and build real partnerships with families.
7️⃣ Quick Hits
[Lessons From TX and SC on Uncertified Teachers] Texas saw student learning drop as it relied heavily on uncertified teachers. A new law will phase them out by 2029 and reward schools for certifying and mentoring teachers. Meanwhile, South Carolina is testing a different approach, allowing uncertified teachers with work experience to fill vacancies. Experts say loosening rules may help short-term, but real solutions need better pay, training, and support to keep strong teachers in classrooms.
[Middle School Models Are Shifting] Districts across the country are rethinking how to group grades, with some returning to stand-alone middle schools and others favoring K–8 or 7–12 setups. Research shows student success depends more on transition timing and support than on structure alone. What matters most is meeting students’ developmental needs, no matter the building design.
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