COVID-19

The Top 10 Reasons We Need to Teach AI in our Classrooms

The education community is grappling with the role of AI in classrooms, debating its use and integration. This parallels past resistance to technologies like calculators, which are now commonplace. With AI’s increasing presence, the key question is how to help educators understand its importance and use it responsibly, without ignoring potential issues like cheating. This discussion is crucial, considering AI’s growing impact on the job market, requiring new skills and adaptation. Recent studies reveal AI’s significant influence across various sectors, reshaping job roles and necessitating a focus on AI-centric skills. Our task as educators is to prepare students for a future filled with new technologies and job opportunities that don’t yet exist. It’s vital to understand these changes and adapt our teaching methods accordingly, ensuring our students are ready for this evolving landscape.

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Changes in Law 2021 – Technology

Changes in Law 2021 – Technology

State invests $6 billion in broadband infrastructure over 3 years. A problem that has been persistent in California for years, the digital divide was highlighted in a major way when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Perhaps more than any other sector, schools felt the impact of a sudden and almost total reliance on access to high-speed internet. In an effort to help remedy the issue, bills were quickly introduced in both houses of the state Legislature in 2020 and 2021. However, one of the most significant proposals this year came via enactment of the state budget.

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Changes in Law 2021 – Student Services

Changes in Law 2021 – Student Services

This year, the youth mental health crisis received much-needed attention. Policymakers prioritized the issue responding to the pandemic’s exacerbation of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation rates amongst youth. A leading proponent on this issue was Senator Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge), whose own family has been affected by suicide. The Senator authored companion bills related to youth mental health, both of which were signed by the Governor. SB 14, an urgency measure that took effect upon the Governor’s signature on October 8, adds “for the benefit of the pupil’s mental or behavioral health” to the list of categories of excused absences for purposes of school attendance. SB 14 also requires the California Department of Education (CDE), by January 1, 2023, to recommend best practices and identify evidence-based training programs for schools to address youth behavioral health. The language that would have required LEAs to train their staff utilizing these programs was removed from the bill late in the legislative process due to associated costs.

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