Pulse #29: Smarter Systems for a Tougher Year

A new three-phase approach shows how AI can help principals draft clearer, more objective teacher evaluations in half the time. Leaders collect evidence as usual, then use AI to shape narrative feedback before adding their own judgment and personal context. The model keeps humans in charge while giving educators more meaningful, consistent feedback with far less administrative drag.

A new look at MTSS shows that schools don’t need more programs, they need smarter systems. Districts seeing success are aligning instruction, intervention, and wellness under one framework that cuts redundancy and uses data to guide support. The result is tighter collaboration, earlier help for students, and real gains without new spending.

With the shutdown over, the Education Department is restarting efforts to reduce its role in K–12. The agency is reviewing state requests to turn major programs into flexible block grants, revisiting a proposal to move special education oversight to the Department of Health and Human Services, and continuing work on new school prayer guidance. Layoffs are on hold, but the push to hand more authority to states is moving forward again.

Schools have added more than 400,000 tutors, mentors, and advisors since the pandemic, and evidence-based supports like high-dose tutoring and wraparound services are far more common. Even with that growth, principals say many students who need help still aren’t getting it because funding, staffing, and time remain major hurdles. Schools still lack the people power and systems needed to deliver support at scale.

Experts say kids need AI literacy as soon as they’re online, since fake images and videos now blend seamlessly into their feeds. Simple habits like questioning what’s real, checking sources, and using tools to verify content build early critical thinking. Schools that weave these skills into everyday lessons, not standalone units, help students navigate a world where trust and truth are getting harder to spot.

AI policy work is picking up speed as states and districts move from talk to action. Alaska rolled out statewide guidance focused on human-centered, secure, and transparent use, and more districts are revisiting their rules to reflect how teachers and students actually use AI. The result is a shift toward clearer expectations, safer use, and more thoughtful integration.

Research shows executive functioning can be taught as early as preschool, and students who practice skills like planning and self-management see long-term gains in behavior, academics, and even graduation rates. Simple routines such as classroom jobs, co-created plans, and games that practice stopping and starting help young learners build independence and focus. Schools that take a whole-school approach give students more chances to practice these habits and strengthen the foundations they need for future learning.

[Turning Math Anxiety Into Curiosity] A veteran teacher says game-based learning has helped anxious math students relax, try again, and stay engaged without losing rigor. By mixing targeted practice with low-stakes gameplay, students build confidence, relearn forgotten skills, and move at their own pace. The shift has led to fewer pull-outs and classrooms where math feels inviting instead of intimidating.

[Cellphone Policy: More Than Just Bans] As more states move to restrict phones in schools, experts caution that locking devices away isn’t enough. Students learn better with fewer distractions, but they also need guidance on building healthy digital habits and knowing when tech supports learning. Strong policies mix clear limits, consistent routines, and thoughtful exceptions so schools reduce disruption without ignoring the realities of students’ digital lives.

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