New York City pauses AI, OECD flags reading declines

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Welcome to this week's edition of AI In Education Weekly.

New York City will pause student use of generative AI through eighth grade for the 2026 to 2027 school year, while Los Angeles Unified School District has blocked generative AI tools on district issued student devices. Elsewhere, OSSE has published a policy framework for District of Columbia school staff, and the OECD links declining reading scores among 15 year olds to factors including widespread AI and social media use.

Google is providing Missouri schools with access to AI tools and training, while partnerships involving Ed3, Digital Promise, QuantHub, and the University of Illinois Springfield expand AI literacy and career training for educators and students. This edition also covers ODILO's rebrand to Letmino, an AI education venture programme in Southern Africa, and survey findings on how high school seniors use AI for emotional support.

ODILO rebrands as Letmino, expands AI workplace learning services

ODILO rebrands as Letmino and expands its AI supported learning products for corporate and institutional customers. The platform provides curated learning paths for upskilling and reskilling, and says it serves more than 170 million users globally. Read more

OECD links AI and social media use to global reading score decline

OECD reports that reading scores among 15 year olds declined between 2015 and 2025, based on tests involving 760,000 students across 91 countries and economies. The organisation cites widespread use of AI and social media as contributing factors. Read more

Google offers free AI tools and training to Missouri schools

Google will provide nearly 100,000 educators and 1.1 million students in Missouri with voluntary access to Gemini for Education, Gemini Notebook, AI training and career certificates. Missouri residents can also access AI courses and Google Career Certificates through Missouri Job Centers. Read more

LAUSD bans generative AI on district issued student devices

Los Angeles Unified School District prohibits students from accessing generative AI on district issued devices while it reviews classroom use and safeguards. The restriction does not apply to personal devices, and a committee will prepare policy recommendations for the school board. Read more

Injini opens Southern Africa AI education venture builder

Injini opens applications for an eight month AI for Education venture builder, supported by Coefficient Giving. The programme will support 12 teams across nine Southern African countries, with five ventures eligible for equity free grants of $25,000. Applications close on 27 September 2026. Read more

Ashland University and Ed3 Partner on AI Training for Ohio Educators

Ashland University and Ed3 will offer AI literacy and professional development courses for K to 12 educators across Ohio, starting in June 2026. The courses will cover classroom AI use, student safety and responsible practices. Read more

OSSE releases staff AI policy with stoplight rules

The District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education releases a customizable AI policy for school staff for the 2026 to 27 school year. The guidance uses a stoplight framework to restrict AI in high stakes decisions and require safeguards and human oversight for permitted uses. Read more

Digital Promise and QuantHub add AI skills to K to 12 career pathways

Digital Promise and QuantHub launch a multi year U.S. partnership to incorporate data science, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity into K to 12 career programs. The initiative supports educators, offers stackable credentials and connects students with employment opportunities. Read more

St. Mary's University study finds Catholic graduates feel more prepared for AI

A St. Mary's University and YouGov study finds Catholic-college graduates report more frequent AI use and greater confidence in their AI preparation than secular-institution graduates. Respondents also reported stronger expectations of AI's social benefits and higher levels of values alignment at work. Read more

UNSW Sydney selects D2L Brightspace for 80,000 learners

UNSW Sydney selects D2L Brightspace for an institution-wide, multi-year rollout serving more than 80,000 learners. The platform will provide responsible AI tools, interactive content and analytics to support teaching, accessibility and personalised learning. Read more

New York City Announces One Year Generative AI Moratorium for Students Through Eighth Grade

New York City will prohibit student facing generative AI tools for students through eighth grade during the 2026 to 2027 school year. High school students will receive AI literacy lessons, while selected schools can test supervised AI programs and teachers may use AI for planning and administration. Read more

Uwill Survey Finds High School Seniors Use AI for Emotional Support

A Uwill survey of 1,020 U.S. students finds that 26% of rising high school seniors use AI weekly for relationship or emotional discussions, compared with 12% of college seniors. Among high school users, 21% say they have no one else to talk to. Read more

University of Illinois Springfield and Ed3 Global partner on K to 12 AI training

University of Illinois Springfield and Ed3 Global will provide self paced AI literacy courses and stackable micro credentials for Illinois K to 12 educators. The online training aligns with Illinois State Board of Education guidance and offers professional development hours and continuing education units. Read more

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New York City pauses AI, OECD flags reading declines - AI in Education #65

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