CTAC - Community Training and Assistance Center

1 in 5 students remained chronically absent in 2024–25. While rates have declined post-pandemic, they remain higher than pre-pandemic levels and barely improved in schools that serve a large majority of socio-economically disadvantaged students.

https://www.k12dive.com/news/1-in-5-students-are-still-chronically-absent/821771/

The most AI-advanced school districts aren’t chasing novelty—they’re using AI to strengthen existing instructional goals, boost teacher efficiency, expand tutoring and support, and accelerate broader reforms already underway.

Here's what the most AI-advanced districts have in common The most AI-advanced school districts are using the technology to improve instructional practices, not reinvent them.

A majority of teachers are using AI, yet many report receiving little to no formal guidance on its use for instruction, tutoring, grading, or lesson planning, especially in higher-needs schools.

Teachers lack formal AI guidance for learning and instruction, Gallup finds Teachers in higher-needs schools were less likely than those in wealthier schools to have received guidelines, echoing previous research.

Teaching AI literacy means more than using new tools. Students need curriculum-based guidance to understand how AI works, think critically about outputs, and remember chatbots aren’t human.

AI literacy experts advise viewing the tech through a curricular lens Thoughtful, age-appropriate approaches can equip students with skills needed to effectively use the technology, says ISTE+ASCD’s Jennifer Garner.

AI can help schools communicate with multilingual families faster, but translation alone isn’t enough. True connection comes from transcreation: adapting tone, culture, and context so messages feel clear, respectful, and actionable.

From Translation to Transcreation: Using AI to Connect with Multilingual Families AI-generated translations can get your intended message across, but humans ensure that message is culturally relevant.

The summer slide is hitting math much harder than reading for K-8 students. New data shows math losses can equal 10–30% of a typical school year’s learning, while reading scores stayed nearly flat—making summer math support especially critical.

Math summer slide is ‘significant,’ but reading loss much smaller, data shows NWEA says schools can help keep students' skills sharp by offering summer learning opportunities and other resources.

Colleges and K-12 districts are building stronger workforce pipelines through dual credit, apprenticeships, paid internships, and industry credentials—helping students gain real-world skills and access high-demand careers before graduation.

Colleges, K12 are pioneering new models to address workforce needs The line between high school, college and the workplace is blurring as educators respond to growing pressure to deliver job-ready graduates.

Helping students thrive in a connected world means teaching digital wellness—not just banning phones. Set clear, flexible norms so students know when tech supports learning and when to put it away, building focus, respect, and empathy.

Students Need Digital Wellness Skills, Not Outright Device Bans Helping students thrive in a connected world means equipping them to navigate technology, not shielding them from it.

Traditional PD models often fail to meet teachers’ individualized professional learning needs. Instead, real learning happens when teachers reflect on what they believe works, learn with others across subjects, and test ideas through classroom research.

How Do Teachers Learn Beyond “Best Practices”? When teachers own their learning, connect across disciplines, and lead research, real professional growth follows.

Happy from all of us at CTAC!