Key points:
Nearly all school superintendents (97 percent) say schools have an obligation to teach students how to use ai effectively and responsibly. Still, only 37 percent have a plan to incorporate ai instruction in the classroom, according to the 2024 Voice of the Superintendent Survey published by an education company. BEF at the Association of School Superintendents (AASA) National Education Conference.
Eighty-four percent say teachers in their districts are concerned about students using generative ai to cheat and take shortcuts.
“The EAB report confirms that teacher shortages, behavioral disruptions, worsening student mental health and other family challenges are so widespread that exploring how new technologies like ai can help are not even on the agenda. 'to do' list,” said EAB Senior. Director of K-12 Research Ben Court.
Superintendents indicated that personnel issues remain their most pressing problem. About half (52 per cent) say the number of teaching vacancies has increased in the past 12 months, and two-thirds (66 per cent) say the number of non-teaching vacancies has increased.
An increase in work absences among teachers further exacerbates the staffing shortage. Nearly half (48 percent) of districts report an increase in missed work days among teaching staff over the past year, while 55 percent of districts report an increase in missed work days among non-teaching staff .
The survey also showed there has been little relief from rising rates of disruptive behavior and student absenteeism that have skyrocketed during the pandemic. Sixty-four percent cite no improvement, while 42 percent say absenteeism rates have increased over the past year. Similarly, 76 percent of superintendents report no improvement in disruptive behaviors, while 57 percent say disruptive incidents have increased.
“EAB continues to work with district leaders to share data and best practices on how to overcome these perennial problems so they can focus on teaching students the skills they need to succeed,” Court continued.
This press release ai/”>originally appeared online.
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