Developing AI literacy in K-12 students is crucial for equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in a tech-driven economy, writes Arman Jaffer, founder and CEO of Brisk Teaching. He highlights the importance of initiatives like California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s bill mandating AI and media literacy in the state’s K-12 curriculum and calls for expanding these efforts to include more robust, real-world AI applications across subjects like math, science and English

The Pennsylvania Literacy Coalition was formed to address low reading proficiency among students. Only one-third read proficiently by fourth grade — a number even lower in Philadelphia. The coalition advocates for $100 million for evidence-based literacy training and early screening. Philadelphia has also implemented a new curriculum focused on the science of reading.

The use of sight words in early education is being scrutinized as the science of reading movement emphasizes phonics instruction. While sight words are often taught through memorization, experts like Kari Kurto of the Reading League advocate for phonics to help children recognize words automatically, and Tim Shanahan, an emeritus professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, suggests integrating high-frequency words into regular instruction, acknowledging the challenge of phonetically irregular words.

The Dormann Library in Bath, New York, intends to send 200 early literacy kits to families with young children to promote foundational reading and writing skills. Funded by a Southern Tier Library System grant, the kits will include durable books, activity guides, and literacy resources. They will be distributed starting in January through local health and family services.

Eighth-grade students at St. Mary's School in Johnson City, Tenn., engaged in a real-time research project, documenting the effects of Hurricane Helene as they happened. The project, led by social studies and language arts teacher Kim Kenneson, involved analyzing news reports, social media posts and conducting interviews, and replaced the students' annual capstone research project.

Many school districts have yet to provide professional development on AI, but experts say any guidance is beneficial. During a recent Education Week forum, Dyane Smokorowski of Wichita Public Schools and Mary Catherine Reljac of Fox Chapel Area School District shared strategies for integrating AI training, including identifying teachers' concerns, offering concrete examples of AI use, encouraging hands-on experimentation and involving teachers in policy creation.