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Students embrace AI tools in schools
According to a new report by Common Sense Media, students are actively engaging with generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, often without guidance from their schools. The survey revealed that 70% of teens have tried at least one AI tool, yet many schools lack clear policies on its use. Amanda Lenhart, head of research for Common…
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Math placement inequities persist in California
Despite the passage of California’s Math Placement Act in 2015, which aimed to address inequities in ninth-grade math placement, many students—particularly students of color and low-income students—are still disproportionately held back. The law mandates the use of multiple objective measures, discouraging subjective teacher recommendations, yet a recent Rand Corp. report reveals that 95% of California…
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Laguna Niguel school closure shocks parents
McDowell School in Laguna Niguel is set to close on December 20, leaving parents in a difficult position to find new educational options for their children. Jennifer Parsons, a regional director for Cadence Elementary, stated that continuing operations at McDowell “is not sustainable.” With an enrollment of about 90 students, the school has been operational…
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Philadelphia schools embrace new reading curriculum
Philadelphia public schools have introduced a new English language arts curriculum focused on the science of reading, but teachers are expressing mixed feelings about its implementation. Many educators, like Shelly McKeown, a second-grade teacher, have raised concerns about the lack of provided materials, stating, “You have to make tons of copies and cut things out…
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Teens struggle with media literacy
Recent findings reveal that teenagers struggle to discern accurate information in today’s chaotic digital landscape. Peter Adams, senior vice-president of research and design at the News Literacy Project, noted that conspiracy theories appeal to many because they provide “simple explanations for complex, incomprehensible events.” A survey of 1,110 teens aged 13 to 18 found that…
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New chancellor announced for NYC schools
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has appointed Melissa Aviles-Ramos as the new schools chancellor, effective January 1, 2025, following the retirement of Chancellor David Banks. Aviles-Ramos, the highest-ranking Latina in the public school system, has played a crucial role in supporting migrant students. During the announcement, she asked educators “to see me as a…