
Tech Giants and Teachers Collaborate to Integrate AI into Education
Microsoft and OpenAI are collaborating with a US teachers' union to establish the National Academy for AI Instruction, aiming to provide AI training to educators nationwide.
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Microsoft and OpenAI are collaborating with a US teachers' union to establish the National Academy for AI Instruction, aiming to provide AI training to educators nationwide.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, resigned from her role in the Democratic Party's leadership, citing disagreements with the party's direction and her backing of a rival candidate, Ben Wikler. Her departure follows recent resignations within the DNC amid internal conflicts, highlighting tensions over party unity and strategy.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey is at odds with teachers unions and superintendents over literacy and MCAS testing. Healey is seeking legislative authority to update literacy curriculums, citing a decline in reading scores, while the unions criticize the "one-size-fits-all approach." She also opposes a ballot question to eliminate MCAS as a graduation requirement, emphasizing the need to assess student performance.

The Nevada State Education Association, a teachers union, has filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the bill that granted $380 million in public money for a new Las Vegas stadium for the Oakland A's. The lawsuit alleges that the bill violates the state's constitution and did not receive the required two-thirds majority vote in the state's Assembly and Senate. The teachers' union is also pursuing a court battle to bring the funding bill to a public vote through a ballot initiative. The A's hope to have the stadium ready for the 2028 season.

Newton Public Schools remain closed for a sixth day as the ongoing strike by the teachers union continues. Emotions ran high as the Newton Teachers Association expressed frustration with the school committee's negotiation approach, citing refusal to bargain and playing a "wait it out" game. The mayor's absence at negotiations and the imposition of fines on the union added to the tension. Amid court hearings and escalating fines, the teachers demand accountability and resolution, while the mayor emphasizes urgency. The situation remains challenging, with hopes for a swift resolution to bring children back to school.

New York City's teachers union, the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), has filed a lawsuit against Mayor Eric Adams to block proposed budget cuts to public schools. The UFT argues that the cuts, including a $550 million reduction in education funding, violate state law and would harm important education initiatives. The lawsuit claims that the city's fiscal situation has been exaggerated and that the cuts are unnecessary, pointing to a budget surplus of $3.6 billion projected for this fiscal year. Mayor Adams, who has faced criticism over the cuts, has defended his actions and urged residents to hold the White House accountable for insufficient aid to address the migrant crisis.
The United Federation of Teachers, along with the AFL-CIO and individual teachers, has filed a lawsuit against NYC Mayor Eric Adams to prevent him from cutting the education department's budget. The unions argue that the proposed cuts violate state law and would harm students. The budget reduction plan aims to strip $547 million from the department's annual budget, leading to the elimination of pre-school seats and reduced hours for summer programs. The lawsuit claims that the city's planned reduction in education funding contradicts anticipated revenue surplus and undermines students' right to a quality education. Mayor Adams defended the cuts, citing fiscal problems and the need to address budget shortfalls.

The president of the American Federation of Teachers, Randi Weingarten, attributed the drop in math scores on the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) to the COVID-19 pandemic, despite her previous opposition to in-person learning. Weingarten had fought against reopening schools during the pandemic but now acknowledges the negative impact of remote learning on student performance. US math scores on the PISA exam fell by 13 points between 2018 and 2022. The National Education Association emphasized the need for increased investment in American education but did not directly mention the pandemic's influence on the results.

Portland Public Schools in Oregon have reached a tentative agreement with the teachers union, ending a strike that lasted over three weeks. Students will return to classes on Monday with a two-hour delay, pending the approval of the agreement by teachers and the school board. The deal addresses concerns over pay, class sizes, planning time, and mental health support for students. The missed school days will be made up by shortening winter and summer breaks. The contract will cost approximately $175 million over the next three years and includes salary increases for teachers and increased classroom and planning time.

In Portland Public Schools, only 14% of elementary school classes are considered large enough for teachers to receive extra pay, according to the teachers union. However, the distribution of these large classes varies widely among schools, with some having over 60% of classes considered large and others having none.

The union representing Portland Public Schools teachers has voted to authorize a strike starting on November 1 after failed bargaining attempts. The district would need to close schools during the strike, with no in-person or online instruction provided. The duration of the strike is uncertain, but the district is working on contingency plans and providing limited resources for remote learning. Grab-and-Go meals will still be available during the strike.
Teachers in Portland Public Schools have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike, with nearly 99% of participating teachers supporting the action. The strike is expected to begin on November 1st if an agreement is not reached. The union and the school district have been in contract negotiations for almost a year, with a significant gap of at least $200 million between their positions. The union is demanding a 21.5% cost of living increase over three years and more time for lesson planning and grading. The district has made some concessions but says it cannot meet all of the union's demands without cutting the school year or laying off employees.
The San Francisco public school teachers' union has voted overwhelmingly, with 97 percent in favor, to authorize a strike amid contentious contract negotiations with the school district. This comes after two other unions representing school staff have also authorized potential strikes. The vote does not guarantee a walkout, but a second vote could be called for in the coming weeks. The union is unsatisfied with the district's proposals and is demanding higher raises and a $30 minimum wage. The district is facing a staffing crisis, with a quarter of teaching positions unfilled.

Portland Public Schools and the teachers union have reached an impasse in their contract negotiations, increasing the likelihood of a teacher strike starting on October 23. The key issues include cost of living raises, class sizes, teacher planning time, and handling disruptive student behavior. Both sides must present their final offers within a week, and if no agreement is reached, a 30-day cooling-off period will begin before teachers can strike. The union is requesting a 21.5% raise over three years, while the district has offered a 4% raise per year and a $3,000 bonus for special education educators.

Teachers in Evergreen Public Schools have approved a new contract, ending a protracted strike that lasted for seven days. The contract includes provisions for extending a cost of living adjustment, reducing class sizes, and providing additional support for special education. The contract also includes wage increases of 6.6% in the first year and 5.8% in the second year. The district's board will vote on the contract on Tuesday night, and the missed classroom days will be added to the district calendar. The strike highlighted the underfunding of education in America, and parents are committed to advocating for better support and resources for students.