A North Carolina State University study suggests that performance feedback can significantly improve writing fluency among students with disabilities, even in virtual settings. The research, led by assistant professor Kristen Mahony-Atallah, involved three students and showed notable gains in writing fluency, though improvements in writing quality were mixed. Mahony-Atallah highlights the need for larger studies and integrating performance feedback with other instructional methods to enhance fluency and quality.

The Education Department has pulled funding for programs in eight states that support students with both hearing and vision loss, citing concerns about "divisive concepts" related to diversity, equity and inclusion. The decision affects more than 1,000 students in Wisconsin, Oregon and Washington states. It has sparked criticism from disability advocates who emphasize the importance of these programs for some of the most vulnerable students.

High-school Principal S. Kambar Khoshaba shares three ways to recognise and motivate teachers beyond traditional, extrinsic rewards. Public recognition, including a programme that allows students, families and staff to nominate teachers; personalised, handwritten notes of encouragement; and passing recognition to students through an initiative that rewards positive behaviour are some ways Khoshaba shares that help to foster a culture of connection and appreciation.

Educators are divided on the integration of AI into classrooms, according to a recent EdWeek Research Center survey, with about a third of educators viewing AI tools like ChatGPT as somewhat negative for education, and another third seeing them as somewhat positive. Many educators express concerns about AI's impact on students' critical thinking and creativity, while others see its potential to improve teaching efficiency and students' preparation for the future.

The Smithsonian offers free educational programs for teachers and students nationwide, enhancing lessons with authentic learning experiences. Notable initiatives include the Smithsonian Stars program, which aims to provide telescopes and astronomy lessons to rural schools, and the Democracy in Dialogue Virtual Exchange program, which fosters civic understanding among students from different states.

The Trump administration's efforts to identify the cause of autism have sparked concern among advocates and scientists. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has promised a massive research effort to find the cause of autism by September, but the study has yet to materialize. Kennedy has suggested a link between autism and vaccines, as well as acetaminophen and low maternal levels of folic acid, but scientific studies have widely discredited these claims. Advocates are also worried about the creation of an extensive medical database, fearing it could lead to the identification and targeting of autistic individuals.