K-12

Over the past decade, fears around school shootings have driven a push for surveillance cameras, panic buttons, emergency alert systems and other technology, in some cases forcing hard choices for tight budgets.

According to a statewide program in Montana that offers online courses and helps inform teachers and legislators about education issues, AI has enormous potential in data analysis and education customization.

A report released last week by the Center on Reinventing Public Education shows most state report cards lack the data and features necessary for parents to easily compare schools or view student progress over time.

While not declaring a statewide policy, Gov. Kevin Stitt issued an executive order encouraging, but not requiring, schools to find strategies to limit student use of cellphones, and asking parents to talk to their kids.

Funded by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, Adams County School District 14 in Colorado will phase out more than half of its 25 diesel buses and build solar-powered canopies to house new electric ones.

The Oregon Department of Education this week announced the release of “Sassy,” a free AI-driven tool that aims to make career exploration more fun and less daunting for middle and high school students.

It can be hard to persuade students with STEM skills and interests to go into teaching. To fill shortages, schools might share teachers or set up programs and recruit help from industry experts and universities.

Still recovering from a cyber attack that caused classes to be canceled for three days, a school district in Washington is bringing students back with printed-out bus routes and by taking attendance with pen and paper.

The third annual report on education technology trends from the State Educational Technology Directors Association shows funding worries on the rise and few states planning for the fair, sustainable use of ed-tech tools.

One superintendent uses AI to produce his welcome videos to families in five languages, while educators are studying aspects such as necessary legal disclaimers and parental permissions.

More than 30 middle-school teachers saw some metrics of success after applying training from the Modern Classrooms Project and uploading educational materials online for students to use at their own pace.

Even after learning the game wasn't catching on, the Republican-controlled House continued sending millions to Plasma Games, in which the wife of an influential Republican chief justice holds a substantial investment.

A handful of districts are piloting the Transportant system and its Bus Compass app, allowing drivers to assign seats, and giving administrators tracking capabilities and a live feed of what’s happening on buses.

After Portland-area schools canceled classes last week for thousands of students because the buildings were too hot, six of those districts are asking for up to $100 million in clean-energy funding for HVAC projects.

Experts say student outcomes should drive decisions about which ed-tech tools and other investments to keep or cut when the massive cash infusion from pandemic relief winds down at the end of this month.

Some 350 schools in New York City are already enforcing restrictions on smartphones and other personal devices, with teachers supporting system-wide policies and parents more mixed on the idea.

The latest Children’s Interactive Cybersecurity Activity Kit by the security training company KnowBe4 uses games, videos and printable material to show kids how to protect themselves from common cyber crimes.

Local law enforcement officials credited Centegix ID badges with helping them respond quickly to a shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia this week, and giving each classroom a warning to lock down.