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Recent Editions
Education Slice
National
Google has expanded access to its Gemini AI chatbot through Google Classroom to K-12 students of all ages in districts that had already enabled Gemini, prompting concerns about whether schools had sufficient time to assess, monitor, and establish appropriate rules for its use. Gemini can help students create flashcards, quizzes, and study guides, assist with math and writing assignments, and generate images, but educators and experts have raised questions about age-appropriate use, student safety, AI literacy, and teacher preparedness. Google says districts can disable Gemini at any time and that the tool includes educational and safety measures, while some school leaders are holding back access until staff receive appropriate training. The rollout comes as schools increasingly develop AI policies and grapple with how to integrate rapidly evolving technology without undermining student learning or teachers’ professional judgment.
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Education Slice
California
California's public education system is facing significant challenges, with 5.7m students showing poor academic outcomes in reading and math. Despite increased funding, including a $151bn budget for 2026-27, achievement gaps persist, particularly among Black and Latino students. Dan Walters, a CalMatters columnist, noted that "California's poor record on academic achievement in its public schools should be treated as an emergency." The governance structure complicates accountability, as multiple officials share responsibility, leading to finger-pointing when issues arise. Recent legislative efforts to enhance accountability have stalled, with three out of four proposed bills failing to pass the state Senate. The ongoing financial strain on local school systems raises concerns about the sustainability of funding amid multibillion-dollar deficits.
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Education Slice
Texas
A recent analysis revealed that 60% of seniors and the disabled in Texas, along with 40% of other homestead homeowners, pay no Independent School District (ISD) property taxes. State Senator Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, presented these findings during a Texas Senate Committee hearing, highlighting the impact of new laws he authored, including SB 4 and SB 23. Bettencourt said: “80% to 90% of Texas seniors will pay no property taxes at all” due to these changes. The analysis, which compiled data from 253 county appraisal districts, showed that the average ISD property tax bills dropped by 13.5% from 2024 to 2025, with seniors and the disabled seeing a nearly 33% reduction. Bettencourt emphasized the importance of these measures in helping seniors remain in their homes, noting, “These homestead owners will never go above zero in their lifetime.”
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Education Slice
Florida
Erika Donalds, a charter school executive and advocate for school choice, believes that AI can significantly benefit Florida students and teachers. Speaking at an event in Miami, she said: "AI will allow kids in places that don't have access to good teaching access to something that is not going to be the same as a great human teacher, but it's going to be the best teacher that they have available to them." Donalds emphasized the importance of balanced rulemaking around AI, advocating for protective measures without stifling innovation. She warned against excessive government regulation, noting that while tragic incidents involving AI exist, "we cannot legislate to those situations." Other panelists, including former Florida governor Jeb Bush, echoed her sentiments, highlighting AI's potential to enhance educational experiences without replacing human teachers. Donalds and her husband, Byron Donalds, are actively involved in shaping Florida's educational landscape as he campaigns for governor.
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