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Homeless students face education crisis as pandemic aid expires
During the pandemic, 1.3m students in the U.S. faced homelessness, living in overcrowded spaces, shelters, cars, and other unstable environments. With no access to basic necessities like food, technology, or electricity, many lost the only constant in their lives: school. The pandemic amplified academic challenges for these students, leading to a chronic absenteeism rate of…
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Michigan Gov. signs tax relief for teachers
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed legislation to permanently eliminate the 3% health care contribution for public school teachers, allowing educators to keep more of their earnings. House Bill 5803, introduced by Rep. Matt Koleszar, also reduces the payroll contribution rate for school districts to the Michigan Public School Employee Retirement System (MPSERS) by 5.75%,…
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Cedar Rapids joins innovative education league
Cedar Rapids Community School District has joined the League of Innovative Schools, gaining access to a national network of educators and technology experts. The membership will support the district’s upcoming college and career academies, aimed at preparing students for high-demand careers. Superintendent Tawana Grover commented: “We are transforming what’s possible for the students of Cedar…
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Zuckerberg unveils Orion smart glasses
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently showcased the Orion augmented reality smart glasses, which he claims will revolutionize computing. Unlike traditional headsets, these glasses overlay holograms onto the physical world, allowing users to interact with both simultaneously. However, educators are concerned about the implications of such technology, especially as schools increasingly ban smartphones due to distractions….
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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…
