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Recent Editions
Education Slice
National
Nearly 100 high school students from all 50 states have developed a national framework for the responsible use of artificial intelligence in K-12 schools, calling for policies that emphasize authentic learning, human judgment, data privacy, and student involvement rather than broad restrictions on AI. Drafted during last month's America's Youth AI Festival in Washington, D.C., the nonbinding STUDENTS FIRST Act of 2026 recommends allowing AI to support activities such as brainstorming, studying, and lesson planning, while prohibiting its use to generate original student assignments or independently make decisions on grading, discipline, or hiring. The student-authored framework also calls for greater transparency around student data collection, AI literacy instruction throughout K-12 education, ongoing staff training, and regular reviews of district AI policies with input from students, educators, and parents. Organizers said the recommendations are intended to help guide future conversations among schools and policymakers as AI becomes more widely adopted in education.
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Education Slice
California
The California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS) announced a remarkable 13.9% return on investment for the 2025-26 fiscal year, a significant increase from last year's 8.5%. Chief Investment Officer Scott Chan said: "This is a significant step toward achieving full funding, which is vitally important to fulfilling our mission to secure the financial future of California's public school educators and their beneficiaries." As of June 30, the total Teachers' Retirement Fund reached $415.4 bn, with nearly 80% of pension obligations funded. CalSTRS aims for an average return of 7% to meet its pension commitments and is on track to fully fund these obligations by 2046. Keith Brainard from the National Association of State Retirement Administrators emphasized the importance of long-term results, stating, "It's a marathon, not a sprint." CalSTRS' diversified portfolio, with 43.4% in stocks, contributes to its long-term success.
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Education Slice
Texas
Midland ISD has filed a lawsuit against Texas' school finance system, claiming it functions as a statewide property tax. The district argues that recent legislation has stripped local districts of financial discretion, forcing Midland to levy $313m in property taxes, with $83m sent to the state. “If Robin Hood is truly doing what it was designed to do, why would you take money out of a school district that has 60% of its students economically disadvantaged?” asked Josh Guinn, Midland school board president. Despite the potential implications for public school funding, other districts have remained silent or opposed to joining the suit, reflecting a shift in attitude since previous legal challenges. The lawsuit could ignite tensions between school and state leaders, especially as Governor Greg Abbott aims to eliminate school property taxes next year. Attorney Mark Goulet emphasized that the lawsuit is solely driven by Midland's board, denying any external influence.
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Education Slice
Florida
Dr. Howard Hepburn, the superintendent of Broward County Public Schools, expressed concerns about declining student enrollment, stating: "I do foresee more closures." The district anticipates a loss of 9,000 students, largely due to the potential loss of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians. The Broward School Board is set to discuss school repurposing and closures on August 25, with projections indicating over 10 schools may close for the 2027-2028 academic year. This decision is part of a broader strategy to address a significant enrollment drop, which has seen the district lose over 40,000 students in the past decade, resulting in a revenue loss exceeding $30m. The trend reflects a statewide issue, with Florida's largest school districts collectively losing around 67,000 non-charter students.
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