Pulse #17: Who Pays for Pencils? and Rethinking Active Shooter Drills

Private schools report enrollment gains, largely driven by parents seeking stronger academics, alignment with their values, and relief from political tensions. Expanded school choice policies and new scholarship programs are also fueling demand, leaving many districts struggling with enrollment declines.

A new survey shows one in four students think missing three weeks of school isn’t a problem, even as absenteeism rates rise. Chronic absenteeism now affects an estimated 22% of U.S. students, with illness cited as the top reason, followed by anxiety, oversleeping, and lack of interest. Researchers warn that shifting student attitudes may be making it harder for districts to curb absences.

At Stanford, educators, technologists, and students with disabilities teamed up to design AI tools that make learning more accessible. Ideas included early screening for dyslexia, IEPs written in plain language, and classroom supports tailored to different needs. The projects show how co-designing with students can spark solutions that help many learners.

A new report finds 86% of education organizations now use AI, but most students and educators say they lack training. The study points to AI’s growing role as a creative partner, a workforce skill, and a way to reimagine learning, while concerns about plagiarism, access, and readiness remain.

One Pennsylvania school is using Universal Design for Learning (UDL), a framework that helps educators design lessons flexible enough to meet diverse needs. More than 45 staff have earned UDL training, creating a shared language and stronger supports. The approach has boosted engagement among English learners and nontraditional students, helping them build workplace skills and industry certifications.

A new study of 6,200 teens complicates the narrative that remote learning during COVID was bad for everyone. While most students reported being happier and less stressed in person, Black, Latino, and low-income teens often felt better learning remotely, suggesting in-person school environments may have carried added stressors. Researchers say recovery efforts must consider these differences to fully support student well-being.

A new National Academies report warns that common drill practices can harm students’ mental health. The panel recommends banning hyper-realistic simulations, announcing drills ahead of time, and involving school health staff to monitor stress and anxiety. Researchers urge schools to adopt trauma-informed, age-appropriate practices while federal agencies develop clearer national guidelines.

The Racial Justice in Early Math project is working to disrupt how bias shapes young children’s math experiences. Researchers point to issues like under-resourced schools relying on drill-heavy curricula, ability grouping, and teachers calling less on Black and Latino students. The project offers books, activities, webinars, and fellowships to help teachers build more equitable practices and affirm students’ cultural identities in math.

[Video Games as a Hook for Learning] A Purdue professor says video games can make classrooms more student-centered by tapping into media most kids already love. From narrative-based games to board game alternatives, he urges teachers to use games as a gateway to deeper learning and creativity. 

[The School Supplies Fight Heats Up] Parents and teachers are venting about long supply lists, but the frustration goes deeper this year as tariffs drive up prices and federal cuts shrink school budgets. Families are trimming back-to-school spending while teachers cover gaps out of pocket, leaving both sides caught in what many call an affordability crisis.

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