News Briefs | FYI
April 22, 2024
LAUSD launches AI-assisted learning platform
Los Angeles Unified School District has launched a first-of-its-kind learning acceleration platform named Ed, designed to provide students and families with an ecosystem of valuable resources and support for fast-tracking student achievement beyond the school day.
Fueled by artificial intelligence, this innovative digital platform creates personalized action plans uniquely tailored to each student. The official unveiling on March 20 brought together students, families, educators and the community to immerse themselves in this groundbreaking platform. Ed is currently available to students and families at select schools and will be phased in for the rest of the district.
“We understand that one size fits none when it comes to education,” Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said. “This resource is a game changer. By leveraging the power of AI, we are creating a tool for all students that maximizes resources beyond the school day by individualizing their education and integrating information for accelerating learning at a level never before seen.”
Ed is designed to be an educational co-pilot, using AI to supplement the instruction and support provided by LAUSD educators and staff by analyzing district data, including grades, attendance and district offerings, and recommending resources, programs and at-home skill practice based on that analysis. The platform can safely, securely and proactively engage with students and families, offering reminders and prompts, including those for social-emotional well-being. Ed has undergone pilot testing with students and families and has received positive feedback.
To analyze the risks and benefits of this technology, the district formed a task force consisting of technology experts, educators, families and students, and created policies and training for its school community. In addition, LAUSD has provided professional development for teachers to help students become thoughtful consumers and producers of content. Teachers also engage students in digital citizenship lessons and other activities to promote the responsible use of technology, including AI.
LAUSD developed Ed through a public-private partnership with AllHere, a Harvard Innovation Labs venture and leading developer of AI-powered digital applications that are built by educators and independently proven to positively impact stakeholder communication, family engagement and student success.
State’s cradle to career system reaches data milestone
California’s ambitious Cradle to Career system recently received its first set of datapoints, according to a blog post from the Public Policy Institute of California.
The system aims to connect individual-level data from early childhood, K-12 education, secondary education and the workforce in order to illuminate paths and trends.
“This connected data — which has long been siloed in the agencies that collected them — could allow researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to examine and fix critical leaks in California’s education pipeline,” author Iwunze Ugo writes.
Last last year, the Cradle to Career system received over 1 billion data points from its data partners, ranging from educational experiences to social services participation and workforce outcomes.
Read the blog post at www.ppic.org/blog/californias-cradle-to-career-data-system-hits-major-milestone.
FYI
Submit your nomination for Woman in Education Award
Nominations are now being accepted for ACSA’s Exemplary Woman in Education Award, which will be presented at the 2024 Women in School Leadership Forum. ACSA is seeking nominations for outstanding women in educational leadership. The nominee should serve as a role model for other women and demonstrate:
- A passion for the profession.
- A commitment to grow and develop others (seeking mentors to better herself and by becoming a mentor to others).
- A demonstrated desire to give back through public and/or community service.
- Advocacy for the value of school administrators and contributing to the improvement of the profession.
- Demonstrated effective crisis leadership during unprecedented times.
Nominee must be an ACSA member to qualify. Visit acsa.org/womensaward to submit your nomination by Friday, May 31.
Youth Mental Health First Aid training available
Registration is open for virtual training sessions on Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA). YMHFA is a CDE program that teaches adults how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health challenges in young people. This training will give adults the skills to reach out to young people, provide initial support, and help young people connect with appropriate care. It’s all about building a community that cares for the well-being of our youth. Register via Google document for trainings, which will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 3, June 7, July 12 and August 2. Email any questions to Diana Silvestre at YMHFA@cde.ca.gov. Visit www.cde.ca.gov/ls/mh/documents/ymhfa2021flyer.pdf for more information.