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Welcome back from the holiday break. Hopefully, yours was stuffed with turkey and not major family blowups.
For many in education, there is a desire to forge ahead with the work. But in this current moment, there are significant structural changes occurring. These often put pressure on teachers to make up for new gaps, or to try and wade through the chaos. Not that that’s new for the profession.
In some cases, technology is presenting interesting opportunities to fill in for missing resources.
One example: Even as English learners are becoming more common in American schools, federal changes have weakened support for these students and for those who teach them.
In this context, schools are turning to AI translation tools to support the more than 5 million English learner students across the country, per EdSurge reporter Lauren Coffey.
The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages does not have specific guidelines about using AI, and so it’s often left to individual teachers to figure it out. And for teachers making these choices, the technology comes with trade-offs. It can make communication easier, allowing learners to talk to other students and perceive parts of the lessons they might otherwise not. But on the other hand, this constantly changing technology can spit out bizarre translations. It can also serve as a “crutch” in the classroom, some educators warn.
Read more about when and how AI translation tools are useful in schools at EdSurge.
— Daniel Mollenkamp, EdSurge reporter |
📣 TOP STORIES
LOST IN TRANSLATION: Teachers are finding creative ways to use AI as more non-native English speakers arrive into classrooms each year. But experts say the technology is not a replacement for dedicated services that help children acquire English skills for the long term. Here’s how new tools can help bridge language barriers.
CLIMATE CONTROL: Climate change looms large over virtually every population, geographic region and industry. Yet children and their caregivers are some of the most vulnerable to extreme weather events, from wildfires in Los Angeles to the hurricane in North Carolina, as well as everyday crises, like heat waves and poor air quality. What support does the early learning sector need?
Sponsored by Digital Promise
BUILDING CYBER PATHWAYS: A national shortage of cybersecurity professionals is hitting local economies. In Alabama, a multi-district alliance is building a collaborative regional pathway that gives students real-world career skills and helps schools grow local talent for high-wage tech jobs.
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🗓️ GOINGS ON
STAY TUNED: EdSurge reporter Nadia Tamez-Robledo has been selected as the inaugural Altavoz Lab Puente Borderlands Fellow. Her journalism project will examine how the presence of SpaceX's launch site in Brownsville, Texas, has impacted local school districts, which is a crucial but missing piece in broader conversations about the company’s presence in the region. |
The following is a message from our sponsor |
ZENgaged helps students and adults find balance, focus, and presence in a hyper-connected world. Packed with real stories, practical strategies, and ready-to-use reflection prompts, it’s a guide for teachers, leaders, and anyone battling digital distraction. Move from chaos to calm — grab your copy today!
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TOO CUTE: When nursing homes and child care programs combine, it’s a sweet scene. Only 150 facilities exist nationwide, but they're proving powerful: reduced isolation for seniors, enriched learning for kids, and cost savings for both. Here's an EdSurge video short about why experts say it's the future
of care. |
🗞️ IN OTHER NEWS
PROHIBITION FOR AI? Harm reduction is ethics in action. What if schools use that concept from public health as their approach to AI? Instead of taking away AI on school devices and hoping students don’t use it for homework, adults would equip them with the tools to responsibly engage with it. Learn more about this emerging philosophy from our EdSurge Research team.
LESSONS IN LOSS: As a veteran educator and activist, EdSurge Voices of Change fellow Sofia Gonzalez has witnessed the devastating impact of gun violence on students and teachers alike. In this heartfelt essay, Gonzalez reflects on teaching through trauma, honoring lost students and calling for policies that heal schools rather than harden them.
Sponsored by ISTE+ASCD
LISTEN TO LEARNERS: Many districts spend heavily on edtech that students struggle to use. New research with high school students reveals a gap between product design and learner needs. The takeaway? Students value intuitive design and meaningful control, prioritizing usability over add-on features and complex personalization. |
🔗WHAT WE'RE READING
The Trump administration wants to sue states that pass laws regulating AI, according to a leaked draft order. (WIRED)
ChatGPT, the scourge of many classrooms, launched a teacher version that’s free through next year. (OpenAI)
Do schools play a role in the rise of diagnosed childhood disorders? (The New York Times)
An anonymous foundation gifted $20 million to the “Capital Math Collective,” an attempt to raise math scores in Washington, D.C. (The Washington Post) |
📈 STORY IN A STAT
90,000
The number of students in Arizona’s education-savings account (ESA) program in 2024-2025, according to a recent report from the Rand Corporation. That number represents about 7 percent of Arizona’s students. This is a significant example of how the “school choice” movement is poised to remake education on a large scale. Also notable: Many of Arizona’s participating students come from wealthy and high-achieving districts. Spending, and the number of online education vendors, have also shot up in the state.
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Events
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What is Next for K12 Communication? A First Look at ClassDojo for Districts 2026 Features | December 11 | Online
A no-cost Learn with Leaders webinar hosted by ClassDojo for Districts, designed for district and school leaders who want a clearer, more consistent, and connected communication experience across every school.
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