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Atlantic
5 days ago
- Atlantic
Was Your Kid's Report Card Written By AI?
Rising seniors are the last class of students who remember high school before ChatGPT. But only just barely: OpenAI's chatbot was released months into their freshman year. Ever since then, writing essays hasn't required, well, writing. By the time these students graduate next spring, they will have completed almost four full years of AI high school. Gone already are the days when using AI to write an essay meant copying and pasting its response verbatim. To evade plagiarism detectors, kids now stitch together output from multiple AI models, or ask chatbots to introduce typos to make the writing appear more human. The original ChatGPT allowed only text prompts. Now students can upload images ('Please do these physics problems for me') and entire documents ('How should I improve my essay based on this rubric?'). Not all of it is cheating. Kids are using AI for exam prep, generating personalized study guides and practice tests, and to get feedback before submitting assignments. Still, if you are a parent of a high schooler who thinks your child isn't using a chatbot for homework assistance—be it sanctioned or illicit—think again. The AI takeover of the classroom is just getting started. Plenty of educators are using AI in their own job, even if they may not love that chatbots give students new ways to cheat. On top of the time they spend on actual instruction, teachers are stuck with a lot of administrative work: They design assignments to align with curricular standards, grade worksheets against preset rubrics, and fill out paperwork to support students with extra needs. Nearly a third of K–12 teachers say they used the technology at least weekly last school year. Sally Hubbard, a sixth-grade math-and-science teacher in Sacramento, California, told me that AI saves her an average of five to 10 hours each week by helping her create assignments and supplement curricula. 'If I spend all of that time creating, grading, researching,' she said, 'then I don't have as much energy to show up in person and make connections with kids.' Beyond ChatGPT and other popular chatbots, educators are turning to AI tools that have been specifically designed for them. Using MagicSchool AI, instructors can upload course material and other relevant documents to generate rubrics, worksheets, and report-card comments. Roughly 2.5 million teachers in the United States currently use the platform: 'We have reason to believe that there is a MagicSchool user in every school district in the country,' Adeel Khan, the company's founder, told me. I tried out the platform for myself: One tool generated a sixth-grade algebra problem about tickets for Taylor Swift's Eras tour: 'If the price increased at a constant rate, what was the slope (rate of change) in dollars per day?' Another, 'Teacher Jokes,' was underwhelming. I asked for a joke on the Cold War for 11th graders: 'Why did the Cold War never get hot?' the bot wrote. 'Because they couldn't agree on a temperature!' So far, much AI experimentation in the classroom has been small-scale, driven by tech-enthusiastic instructors such as Hubbard. This spring, she fed her course material into an AI tool to produce a short podcast on thermodynamics. Her students then listened as invented hosts discussed the laws of energy transfer. 'The AI says something that doesn't make sense,' she told her students. 'See if you can listen for that.' But some school districts are going all in on AI. Miami's public-school system, the third-largest in the country, initially banned the use of chatbots. Over the past year, the district reversed course, rolling out Google's Gemini chatbot to high-school classrooms where teachers are now using it to role-play historical figures and provide students with tutoring and instant feedback on assignments. Although AI initiatives at the district level target mostly middle- and high-school students, adults are also bringing the technology to the classrooms of younger children. This past year, Iowa made an AI-powered reading tutor available to all state elementary schools; elsewhere, chatbots are filling in for school-counselor shortages. Many schools still have bans on AI tools. A recent study on how kids are using AI in 20 states across the South and Midwest found that rural and lower-income students were least likely to say their schools permit AI use. The Houston Independent School District (HISD) offers one case study in what can go wrong when AI enters the classroom. This past school year, the district's curricula were seemingly tainted with AI slop, according to parents. In February, eighth graders viewed a slideshow depicting AI-generated art mimicking the style of the Harlem Renaissance. According to an op-ed in the Houston Chronicle written by two HISD parents, students were also given error-laden worksheets (one, on transportation technology, depicted a mix between a car and a chariot that was pulled by a horse with three back legs) and inscrutable discussion questions ('What is the exclamation point(s) to something that surprised you,' one asked). An HISD spokesperson told me that the Harlem Renaissance images were indeed AI-generated using Canva, a graphic-design tool; he was unable to confirm whether AI was used in the other examples. None of this is slowing AI's rollout in schools. This spring, President Donald Trump signed an executive order promoting AI use in the classroom with the goal of training teachers to integrate 'AI into all subject areas' so that kids gain an expertise in AI 'from an early age.' The White House's push to incorporate AI in K–12 education has repeatedly emphasized public-private partnerships, a call that tech companies already appear to be embracing. Last month, Microsoft pledged to give more than $4 billion toward advancing AI education across K–12 schools, community and technical colleges, and nonprofits. The same week as Microsoft's announcement, the American Federation of Teachers, one of the country's largest teachers unions, announced a $23 million partnership with Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic. One of the partnership's first efforts is a 'National Academy for AI Instruction,' opening in New York City this fall, where instructors will learn how to use AI for generating lesson plans and other tasks. The program then plans to expand nationally to reach 10 percent of U.S. teachers over the next five years. Schools are stuck in a really confusing place. Everyone seems to agree that education needs an upgrade for the AI era. 'Our students right now are going to be put at a disadvantage internationally if we don't evolve,' Miguel Cardona, Joe Biden's education secretary, told me. But no one seems to agree on what those changes should look like. Since ChatGPT's release, the in-class essay, the oral exam, blue-book exams, and even cursive have all made something of a comeback in certain classrooms, in an effort to prevent students from outsourcing all their writing and thinking to AI. At the same time, AI aims to make work more efficient—which is exactly what students are using it for. In that sense, whether kids using AI on their homework counts as cheating is 'almost a semantic issue,' argues Alex Kotran, a co-founder of the AI Education Project, a nonprofit focused on AI literacy. Of course, try telling that to a concerned parent. As Kotran points out, a middle ground exists between pretending students aren't using AI and encouraging them to rely on it nonstop. 'Even if you believe that everybody is going to be using AI in the future,' he told me, 'it doesn't necessarily follow that the top priority should be getting students hands-on right away.' Imagine if in 2007, schools had decided that the best way to prepare kids for the future was to force every student to spend all day in front of an iPhone. No matter what teachers', students', and parents' attitudes about AI in the classroom are, though, it's a reality they have to deal with. The path that schools take from here has direct implications for the future of AI more generally. The more reliant kids are on the technology now, the larger a role AI will play in their lives later. Once schools go all in, there's no turning back.
Associated Press
08-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
MagicSchool AI Launches 'Teachers Are Magic' Nationwide Campaign Featuring Real Teachers
MagicSchool honors educators on billboards across Miami, Dallas and Atlanta MagicSchool AI, the No. 1 AI platform used in schools, today launched its 'Teachers Are Magic' back-to-school campaign. The campaign features real teachers on billboards across major metropolitan areas including Miami, Dallas and Atlanta, accompanied by celebratory local events honoring educators. Running through September, the initiative celebrates inspiring educators from local communities alongside MagicSchool's signature message: 'Teachers Are Magic.' 'Teachers and students across the nation heading back to school this fall, a special moment for families and communities across the country worthy of celebration,' said Adeel Khan, founder and CEO of MagicSchool AI and former teacher and principal. 'It's not uncommon to see professional athletes or celebrities on billboards, and as we head into another school year, we think elevating teachers who tirelessly dedicate themselves to their students deserve the same treatment.' The 'Teachers Are Magic' campaign aligns with MagicSchool's mission to help tackle the crisis of teacher burnout with tools that can make their everyday life easier. The platform's suite of over 80 AI tools for educators helps streamline lesson planning, assessment creation and administrative tasks, allowing teachers to focus on what they do best: teaching and inspiring students. On average, teachers report that MagicSchool saves them seven hours of time each week — nearly a full day. The platform serves nearly 6 million educators representing nearly every US school district and educators in 160 countries worldwide. MagicSchool's Back-to-School Campaign Details As part of its back-to-school campaign, MagicSchool has launched its free ' Back-to-School Guide,' which includes teacher-loved tools, monthly planning pages and AI prompts for every level, giving teachers the resources they need to hit the ground running this fall. The billboards feature photos and inspiring testimonials from real teachers, including Dr. Jessica Harris, a special education instructional specialist in Georgia, who shared: 'The magic of teaching to me means being able to see and bring out the magic in students that they don't even see within themselves.' In addition to the billboard displays, MagicSchool will host teacher appreciation events in each featured market. These gatherings will provide opportunities for local educators, students and their families to connect, share experiences and celebrate teachers' contributions to their communities. Event details and registration information will be available soon on MagicSchool's website. About MagicSchool AI MagicSchool is the most loved, secure and trusted AI platform for educators and students — with nearly every U.S. school district and 160 countries around the world using the platform. MagicSchool is built for educators, by educators, providing a genuine opportunity to reclaim valuable time for educators, combat burnout and elevate the art of teaching. To learn more, visit Media Contact Kirsten Underwood [email protected] ### SOURCE: MagicSchool AI Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire
Reuters
07-08-2025
- Reuters
MagicSchool AI Launches 'Teachers Are Magic' Nationwide Campaign Featuring Real Teachers
DENVER, CO, August 7, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- MagicSchool AI, opens new tab, the No. 1 AI platform used in schools, today launched its "Teachers Are Magic" back-to-school campaign. The campaign features real teachers on billboards across major metropolitan areas including Miami, Dallas and Atlanta, accompanied by celebratory local events honoring educators. Running through September, the initiative celebrates inspiring educators from local communities alongside MagicSchool's signature message: "Teachers Are Magic." "Teachers and students across the nation heading back to school this fall, a special moment for families and communities across the country worthy of celebration," said Adeel Khan, founder and CEO of MagicSchool AI and former teacher and principal. "It's not uncommon to see professional athletes or celebrities on billboards, and as we head into another school year, we think elevating teachers who tirelessly dedicate themselves to their students deserve the same treatment.' The "Teachers Are Magic" campaign aligns with MagicSchool's mission to help tackle the crisis of teacher burnout with tools that can make their everyday life easier. The platform's suite of over 80 AI tools for educators helps streamline lesson planning, assessment creation and administrative tasks, allowing teachers to focus on what they do best: teaching and inspiring students. On average, teachers report that MagicSchool saves them seven hours of time each week — nearly a full day. The platform serves nearly 6 million educators representing nearly every US school district and educators in 160 countries worldwide. MagicSchool's Back-to-School Campaign Details As part of its back-to-school campaign, MagicSchool has launched its free 'Back-to-School Guide, opens new tab,' which includes teacher-loved tools, monthly planning pages and AI prompts for every level, giving teachers the resources they need to hit the ground running this fall. The billboards feature photos and inspiring testimonials from real teachers, including Dr. Jessica Harris, a special education instructional specialist in Georgia, who shared: "The magic of teaching to me means being able to see and bring out the magic in students that they don't even see within themselves." In addition to the billboard displays, MagicSchool will host teacher appreciation events in each featured market. These gatherings will provide opportunities for local educators, students and their families to connect, share experiences and celebrate teachers' contributions to their communities. Event details and registration information will be available soon on MagicSchool's website, opens new tab. About MagicSchool AI MagicSchool is the most loved, secure and trusted AI platform for educators and students — with nearly every U.S. school district and 160 countries around the world using the platform. MagicSchool is built for educators, by educators, providing a genuine opportunity to reclaim valuable time for educators, combat burnout and elevate the art of teaching. To learn more, visit opens new tab. Media Contact Kirsten Underwoodpress@ ### SOURCE: MagicSchool AI Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire See release on EZ Newswire
Business Recorder
19-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan salaried class rejects govt's claim of giving relief in income tax
Representatives of the Salaried Class Alliance of Pakistan (SCAP) said on Thursday the government had done a 'number juggling' and given almost no relief in income tax to the salaried individuals in the budget proposals for the fiscal year 2025-26. In a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Thursday, they pointed out that the tax authorities have targeted to collect Rs540 billion in income tax from employees working in regulated sectors in FY26, compared to Rs550 billion to be received in the outgoing FY25. 'The Rs10 billion relief to the entire working class nationwide is a so-called relief. This is number juggling,' said Bilal Farooq Rizvi, a member of the SCAP. 'We reject the government's claim of relief to the salaried class people (in the budget 2025-26),' he said. According to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) reports, the income tax collection from salaried class people would be Rs550 billion in FY25, higher by Rs112 billion compared to FBR's set target for the outgoing year. Numbers speak: Sindh agriculturalists spend more on vehicle registration, pay less in income tax According to the budget proposals for FY26, the tax rate for those earning Rs600,001 to Rs1.2 million has been slashed to 2.5% from 5%. Individuals earning between Rs1.2 million and Rs2.2 million will pay 11%, down from 15%, along with a drop in the fixed tax component from Rs30,000 to Rs6,000. For the Rs2.2 million to Rs3.2 million bracket, the rate has been reduced to 23% from 25%, and the fixed tax lowered from Rs180,000 to Rs116,000. For those earning above Rs3.2 million annually, the rates remain unchanged. The 30% tax on incomes up to Rs4.1 million and 35% for those earning more continues. However, fixed taxes for the two slabs have been reduced to Rs346,000 and Rs616,000 from Rs430,000 and Rs700,000 respectively. A slight relief has also been provided in the form of a 1 percentage point cut in the surcharge, down to 9% from 10% for individuals earning more than Rs10 million a year. Adeel Khan, another SCAP member, claimed 'the income tax collection from salaried people has jumped 7 to 8-time in the past 3 to 4-year, increasing to Rs550 billion in FY25 compared to Rs70-80 billion a few years ago.' Budget 2025-26: Pakistan govt offers tax relief to salaried class, but representatives unhappy The government has targeted salaried class people to achieve the FBR tax collection target of Rs14.1 trillion in FY26, 'as it knows this is the soft target and they will not restore to violent protests and sit-ins and will neither block roads like political parties and shopkeepers do to get their demands accepted,' he added. Khan said the government provided a meager relief of a maximum of Rs7,000 a month in income tax to the people appearing in middle income groups, reducing their monthly tax burden to merely 'Rs493,000 a month in FY26 from Rs500,000 a month paid in FY25'. The employees working in the formal sectors were given a minimum relief of only Rs20,000 a month in income tax to the people falling in the middle income brackets. 'The provided so-called relief is no relief. This would make almost no difference in our lives,' he said. SCAP member Iesha Fazal said, 'The provided relief is insignificant. This is tantamount to playing with the salaried class people. This is a joke. We reject it'. They appealed to the authorities concerned to reduce the income tax rates by at least 2.5% for all the taxable slabs, including the individuals falling in the upper income brackets. The government can still make changes in its proposals, as the Parliament is yet to give its official nod to the proposed budget and Finance Bill 2025. 'Pakistan salaried class paid 5 times more taxes than exporters, retailers in outgoing FY25' Another SCAP member Rizwan Hussain said they would file a case in a court of law to get the due relief in income tax if the government approved the proposed tax rates as it was in the Finance Bills 2025. He reiterated SCAP's old demand of removing the super tax completely, which the government reduced by 1% to 9% in the budget proposals for FY26. Hussain also demanded relief in taxes on investment in mutual funds and similar investment products FY26.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Yahoo
Educators seek to combat AI challenges in the classroom
Educators are reaching into their toolbox in an effort to adapt their instruction to a world where students can use ChatGPT to pull out a five-page essay in under an hour. Teachers are working to make artificial intelligence (AI) a force for good in the classroom instead of an easy way to cheat as they balance teaching the new technology with honing students' critical thinking skills. 'Even before the AI era, the most important grades that we'd give at the school that I led and when I was a teacher, were the in-class writing assignments,' said Adeel Khan, CEO and founder of MagicSchool and former school principal, noting the assignments worth the most are normally final exams or end-of-unit tests. Khan predicts those sorts of exams that have no access to AI will be weighted more heavily for students' grades in the future. 'So, if you're using AI for all of the formative assignments that are helping you practice to get to that final exam or that final writing test … then it's going to be really hard to do it when you don't have AI in those moments,' he added. The boom of generative AI began shortly after students got back in the classrooms after the pandemic, with educators going from banning ChatGPT in schools in 2023 to taking professional development courses on how to implement AI in assignments. President Trump recently signed an executive order to incorporate AI more into classrooms, calling it the technology of the future. The executive order aims to have schools work more closely with the private sector to implement programs and trainings regarding AI for teachers and students. 'The basic idea of this executive order is to ensure that we properly train the workforce of the future by ensuring that school children, young Americans, are adequately trained in AI tools, so that they can be competitive in the economy years from now into the future, as AI becomes a bigger and bigger deal,' White House staff secretary Will Scharf said. Dixie Rae Garrison, principal of West Jordan Middle School in Utah, describes herself as an early advocate for AI in schools. She said her classrooms have had 'an overwhelmingly positive experience' with the technology. Garrison remarked the problems with AI need to be resolved through innovative thinking, not passivity. 'There needs to be a shift from the types of questions we were asking students, so shifting away from repetitive exercises,' Garrison said, adding educators 'really have to think about the way that you're teaching students to write, the way that you're framing your questions.' One way her school has used AI to help students is by creating more avenues for pupils to study for exams such as the AP U.S. history test. Teachers are 'able to provide the students with more frequent opportunities to practice' by inputting the AP rubrics into a generative AI tool, leading the students to get feedback 'instantaneously' on their work. Another strategy used for preparing students to work with AI as well as lower concerns about cheating is to create collaborative projects. 'I think in the younger classes there is a shift towards project-based learning, and even homework is more sort of collaborative, which is harder to replicate' with AI, said Tara Chklovski, founder and CEO of Technovation. The integration of AI varies across the United States, with about 60 percent of principals reportedly using AI tools for their work, according to a survey by RAND, a research nonprofit. Among teachers, only 25 percent are using AI for their instructional planning or teaching, although English language arts and science instructors were twice as likely to use the technology than mathematics educators. Educators in higher poverty schools are also less likely to use AI and are more likely not to have guidance on AI implementation compared to lower poverty schools, according to RAND. The lack of guidance makes it even more difficult for educators as concerns of cheating with generative AI become louder. 'Pragmatically, on the ground, some teachers are shifting towards more short, oral questioning of students. … In fact, for some kids — I hear this from science teachers that I work with — the ability to ask kids questions orally, instead of writing on a test, helps reveal' they might know more 'than they would have been able to express on a written test,' said Bill Penuel, a professor at the University of Colorado Boulder. For many, it is still a challenge to balance the benefits of AI with the drawbacks in the classroom. Most educators don't want AI 'to be used as a shortcut for thinking, but they want people to be able to use it as a tool to help them solve problems, to give them feedback on things that they're working on and writing, maybe even support folks who are multilingual learners in classrooms,' Penuel said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
