EdSurge

Artificial intelligence can help students find a candidate’s voting record. Elise Blum argues that schools still need to teach students how to evaluate the evidence, weigh it against their own values, and reach their own conclusions.

Artificial intelligence bans can buy schools time, writes Yvette Renteria of Common Sense Media. Her concern: students will still use the technology elsewhere. She argues schools should use the pause to teach artificial intelligence literacy.

Tambra Clark’s students used Swift, archival research, and generative AI to create interactive apps about Birmingham pioneers. Technology became a tool for preserving and sharing local history.

In rural Ohio, automated attendance tracking helps staff spend less time figuring out which student is absent and more time finding out why. In rural North Carolina, administrators, counselors, social workers, and other staff coordinate their response.

Districts are becoming more deliberate about where tutoring fits after the pandemic-era expansion. Devon Wible explores how schools are connecting tutoring more closely to classroom instruction. 🎧: https://www.edsurge.com/news/what-happens-to-high-impact-tutoring-when-the-pandemic-money-is-gone

More than 70% of students in one study experienced challenges in at least one area when transitioning to kindergarten. Ira Apfel spoke with researcher David Jacobson about why better coordination between early learning programs and schools matters.

Tambra Clark turned an “All About Me” Swift assignment into “Coding Birmingham’s Black Legacy.” Students built iOS apps honoring local pioneers and community leaders.

We have extensive evidence on whether tutoring works. We have far less data on how much tutoring is actually happening in public schools. @davidblazar.bsky.social explains the gap. 🎧 Listen: https://www.edsurge.com/news/what-happens-to-high-impact-tutoring-when-the-pandemic-money-is-gone

Former Voices of Change fellow Melinda Medina asks what “high achievement” means when AI can generate the polished essays, research questions, and analyses schools have long rewarded.

Some districts are trying to make tutoring last by building it into the regular school day. Intervention periods or “What I Need” blocks give students extra support while keeping tutoring aligned with classroom instruction.

One of Dan Clark’s students became angry, fearful, and deeply distressed when technology was removed. Clark writes about recognizing when ordinary screen use becomes something more serious.

With pandemic funding gone, districts face a new question: What does sustainable high-impact tutoring look like? 🎧 Listen: https://www.edsurge.com/news/what-happens-to-high-impact-tutoring-when-the-pandemic-money-is-gone

At Moline Coal Valley School District, leaders emphasize personal outreach and trust with families. One principal’s attendance calls focused on what students missed and whether families needed help, rather than on punishment.

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Students with Child Protective Services contact by age 15 were at greater risk of both excused and unexcused absences, a study found.

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Concerns about New Mexico’s AI literacy screener include voice recordings, data privacy, accents, and speech differences. Jaime Casap says those questions deserve vendor testing, public answers, and clear rules around data use.

Court Shuller turned science-of-reading research into bite-sized TikTok professional development grounded in their own classroom practice. Science of Reading Snaps has drawn 100,000+ views across 50 videos.

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Experts say schools should look closely at what vendor evidence actually demonstrates, from sample sizes and study parameters to badges and certifications, while starting with a clear instructional vision for students.

Curious where education organizations are hiring? The EdSurge Jobs Board features openings across schools, edtech, higher ed, nonprofits, and other corners of the sector. 🔎 Browse current roles: https://jobsboard.edsurge.com/

AI is moving into classrooms faster than schools can verify its quality. Sandra Liu Huang looks at what the field needs to evaluate whether AI-generated educational content can actually be trusted. 🎧 Listen: https://www.edsurge.com/news/who-is-building-the-ai-foundation-for-k-12-classrooms

The EdReports brief found that AI frameworks often address privacy and safety, while consistent ways to measure whether AI strengthens learning or preserves curriculum coherence remain limited.

A 2026 analysis of 35 districts found that 16 reduced, paused, or disrupted tutoring after federal pandemic relief funding ended, while 19 preserved or expanded their programs.

At an Illinois district, staff reach out as soon as they notice patterns of absences or declining attendance. District-wide attendance rose from 62% in 2022 to 88% in 2026.

“Aligned to state standards” can mean very different things when AI is involved. Learning Commons President Sandra Liu Huang looks at what districts should understand before trusting that claim. 🎧 Listen: https://www.edsurge.com/news/who-is-building-the-ai-foundation-for-k-12-classrooms

As AI alters entry-level roles, Maria Flynn says schools and employers need to pay attention to the early rungs of the labor market. She discusses changing degree requirements, structured apprenticeships, and helping young people understand their options.

New Mexico data showed Amira flagging 16.7% of first graders as showing signs of dyslexia, compared with 45% under the previous computer-based screener. Jaime Casap argues that fewer false positives can help direct intervention to students who need it.

A strong afterschool community often starts with one simple advantage: students already care about what brought them there. 📋 Register for free: https://events.smartbrief.com/register-now/3467/the-power-of-play-bring-an-official-pokmon-club-to-your-school/ #SponsoredContent

Who gets to build the foundation underneath AI in K-12 schools? Learning Commons President Sandra Liu Huang discusses open infrastructure, district tools, and what schools need as classroom AI develops. 🎧 Listen: https://www.edsurge.com/news/who-is-building-the-ai-foundation-for-k-12-classrooms

Educators and outside observers also question how much influence a private organization should have over the AI infrastructure on which other classroom products are built.

The education stories worth following usually start before everyone notices them. This Week with EdSurge follows the ideas and shifts shaping what comes next. 🎧 Listen at the link or wherever you get your podcasts.

Podcasts, Substack, and virtual literacy communities gave Court Shuller the inquiry and collaboration they were craving in professional learning. Eventually, they decided to contribute something of their own.

At Bartlett Academy in Oklahoma, free lunch applications are part of the orientation packet for all families, making the process routine. In Maryland, a principal sends applications home, makes them available at open houses, and shares information in her weekly newsletter.

Teacher well-being can shape the entire classroom. Mike Anderson explores how educator stress affects students and why schools should treat teacher support as part of the learning environment. 🎧 Listen: https://www.edsurge.com/news/why-do-so-many-teachers-crash-in-october

A civil rights learning tour changed how Tambra Clark taught computer science. She returned to Birmingham determined to connect coding with the history and people surrounding her students every day.

New teachers are learning the rhythms of the profession as they live through them. Mike Anderson explains why giving early-career educators context for the harder stretches of the school year can matter. 🎧 Listen: https://www.edsurge.com/news/why-do-so-many-teachers-crash-in-october

Small and rural districts are recovering attendance rates faster than larger, more urban and suburban districts, a recent study found. Adam Stone reports on how educators in several districts are tackling chronic absenteeism.

Maria Flynn says schools should introduce career exploration in middle school to help students make informed choices by 11th grade. She also emphasizes strong core academics and durable skills, including adaptability, resilience, and the capacity to learn and relearn.

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Lisle District 202 in Illinois used Learning Commons to build a formative math assessment app. Its Knowledge Graph helps provide more detailed reports on student progress and identify prerequisite skills students may need to revisit.

Many first-year teachers may not know to expect the “October Blues.” Mike Anderson says school leaders can acknowledge the slump, pay attention to workload, and look for ways to support teachers who are doing too much.

Schools may not always know when AI has been added to instructional materials they already use. Experts say vendors should clearly communicate updates and give districts more information about how new AI features affect instruction.

AI is changing the relationship between students and thinking, effort and accomplishment, teachers and expertise, and knowing something and finding it instantly. Nathan Kraai asks what kinds of thinking schools should remain intentional about preserving.

After 10 years with CEP, a Louisiana district is preparing for the possibility of returning to individual free lunch applications. Its child nutrition director is monitoring direct certification numbers and identifying staff who may need training.

What if feeling behind is partly a scheduling problem? On This Week with EdSurge, Mike Anderson looks at how small interruptions accumulate across a school year and what that means for teacher workload. 🎧 Listen: https://www.edsurge.com/news/why-do-so-many-teachers-crash-in-october

Why do so many teachers hit a wall in October? On This Week with EdSurge, Mike Anderson explains the “October Blues,” what can make the slump worse, and why small changes and timely support can matter. 🎧 Listen: https://www.edsurge.com/news/why-do-so-many-teachers-crash-in-october

As districts weigh student-facing AI, Nicole Barnes says they should first look for evidence that tools help students learn. Dan Clark says any restrictions should also include critical dialogue with students.

A shared student interest can become a strong foundation for community after school. Join us on Oct. 21 for a FREE webinar on launching Pokémon Clubs! 📋 Register: https://events.smartbrief.com/register-now/3467/the-power-of-play-bring-an-official-pokmon-club-to-your-school/ #SponsoredContent

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