This and That, September 27, 2026

I am planning yet another post on technology, both for K-12 AND higher education. Here's a teaser headline:Columbia College Enforces First-Of-Its-Kind Technology Ban — Here's What We Know.

I note this is Columbia College, not Columbia University. But wait, here's the other headline:

Columbia bans devices in core classes as New York school moves to curb AI

Yeah, that's Columbia University.

As laptops, phones, and artificial intelligence tools take up residence in classrooms, Columbia University is requiring students in its Literature Humanities and Contemporary Civilization courses to put devices away for the 2026-27 academic year.

And yes, I am also going to write a separate post about the Nikole Hannah-Jones essay on how she let her daughter down by sending her to a nearly all-white school. This has ignited a firestorm of opinions about schooling and Black children. 


National News

Via The Guardian:

As reading and math scores fall to their lowest point in the past quarter-century, the US now has fewer tools to understand and develop interventions for this troubling trend.

When the Trump administration took a wrecking ball to the Department of Education last year, firing nearly half of its workers and allowing the so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge) to cancel nearly $900m in contracts, a little-known agency called the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) was among the hardest hit.

NCES, a federal statistical agency, has for decades collected critical data on the state of education in America, including The Nation’s Report Card, an assessment of what students know across math, reading, writing, science and history. NCES data also helps set US education policy and allocate funding for school districts.

But nearly all of the statistical agency’s work was abruptly terminated and its headcount dropped from about 100 to four. Some were rehired; NCES now has 12 staffers, according to the agency’s website. 

 

Special Education Head at Education department "abruptly" resigns. This from NPR:

(Kelly) Rogers, who has been overseeing the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) since May, announced her departure less than a day before much of her staff were scheduled to move to the Department of Health and Human Services building in Washington D.C., according to internal emails reviewed by NPR.

One of the main things OSERS does is support states and schools with programs for people with disabilities, including the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It also manages about $15 billion in federal funding supporting students with disabilities.

Disability rights advocates have widely condemned shifting special education staff to a different agency. When the transfer was first announced, Denise Marshall, CEO of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) said, "This proposal appears to add another layer of bureaucracy while creating additional confusion and uncertainty for families, educators, and state agencies."

One of the main things OSERS does is support states and schools with programs for people with disabilities, including the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It also manages about $15 billion in federal funding supporting students with disabilities.

Disability rights advocates have widely condemned shifting special education staff to a different agency. When the transfer was first announced, Denise Marshall, CEO of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) said, "This proposal appears to add another layer of bureaucracy while creating additional confusion and uncertainty for families, educators, and state agencies."

I like this idea of peer mediation; is any Seattle School doing this now?

Peer mediation is meant to address conflicts before they turn into physical confrontations that require adult intervention.Students most commonly seek mediation for fights between friends or conflicts over relationships, the mediators said. Those kinds of conflicts can be trickier to resolve than determining who took a phone, they added.

“When it comes to relationships, it’s harder for people to take accountability for what they did or said,” said seventh grader Camille Hynes.

One of the hardest parts of learning how to mediate is helping their peers find the words to express how they feel, said Jocelyn, whose older sister also served as a peer mediator.

More than 100 students applied to be mediators this year, but only about 25 to 30 were selected after an interview process, said Edwards. They train for three weeks after school before stepping in to mediate conflicts.

One hundred kids at a school signing up for something other than sports? That's good news.

Seattle Schools

The district is co-sponsoring - along with the Seattle Visiting Nurse Association -vaccination clinics at 18 SPS schools and buildings. You need to book an appointment for these vaccinations.

These clinics are for two vaccinations - the latest COVID one or for the flu or both.

SVNA is offering flu vaccines to anyone age four to adult; and COVID-19 vaccines to anyone age five to adult. Most insurance is accepted (We cannot accept Cigna, Tricare, or First Choice insurance this season).

The Superintendent's September 20th newsletter has these items:

- an announcement about tech use in the classroom (I will have a separate post on this.)

- in speaking about transportation, he says he is sorry for any difficulties and urges families not only to contact the Transportation Department but also their principal.

- the start of National Hispanic Heritage month which started on September 15th.

- acknowledging Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.


There is a notice at the SPS website about a webinar on gun safety and children on Wednesday, September 30th from 7-8 pm. Register here.

Join Be SMART, the Snohomish County Health Department, and Providence Hospital on Wednesday, Sept. 30 from 7-8 p.m., for a free one-hour webinar focused on preventing youth firearm injuries and deaths through responsible gun storage and ownership.

This important community conversation will provide practical safety tips, resources, and guidance for creating safer environments for children and families. In recognition of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month (September), the webinar will also feature a special guest speaker and former co-chair of the County Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force, who will share insights on youth suicide prevention and supporting young people in our communities.

The district is looking for new members for the Technology Advisory Committee (ITAC).

Apply here.

ITAC provides input and expertise to help guide technologyrecommendations and future funding planning across the district.Members are asked to commit to one year of service and attendmonthly virtual meetings.

The application period is open through Oct. 2, with selected members notified by Oct. 16.

Questions about ITAC membership can be directed to the Department of Technology Services at:spsdepartmentoftechnologyservices@seattleschools.org.