Welcome to Playground Post, a bi-weekly newsletter that keeps education innovators ahead of what’s next.

Here’s what we have on deck for today…

1. Governors overlook achievement in education plans

2. AI transforms how language learners succeed

3. States fund teacher training despite federal cuts

Governors overlook education

A new analysis of 41 governors' speeches reveals a concerning trend:

While states prioritize student mental health, phone restrictions, and career pathways, few directly address falling academic achievement.

• Only 10 governors discussed curriculum improvements, and mentions of tutoring or academic acceleration were rare.

• Only 15 governors emphasized mental health initiatives, 12 proposed cell phone restrictions, and many focused on workforce development.

The disconnect creates an opportunity for education innovators to develop solutions that improve learning outcomes while aligning with states' current priorities in mental health, technology management, and career preparation.

AI transforms how language learners succeed

English learners face a tough challenge: mastering a new language while also learning math, science, and history.

New research shows AI tools help these students in three key ways:

• Explaining complex words in simple terms

• Generating ideas for essays and projects

• Providing instant feedback on writing

However, different students obviously need different support: beginners benefit from translations, while advanced learners use AI for structure and argumentation.

For education innovators, this opens doors to create tools that help students learn both language and subject content simultaneously.

States fund teacher training despite federal cuts

Despite $150 million in federal cuts, states are finding ways to keep teacher apprenticeship programs alive. Utah secured grants providing $4,000 for pre-apprentices and $10,000 per year for apprentices through 2026.

These programs help address the 42,000 unfilled teaching positions nationwide by letting participants earn while they learn.

This shift creates opportunities for education organizations to help states develop sustainable funding models as they transition from federal to state-based support.

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We’ll be back with another edition on Friday. See you then!

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