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Good morning! Mike here with Chalkbeat New York.

As New York City educators prepare to welcome students back, one major variable hangs in the air: What role will technology play in our classrooms this year?

While NYC schools await a formalized, comprehensive policy on artificial intelligence, districts and lawmakers across the country are taking vastly different approaches to managing technology in the classroom. As The New York Times reports, tech giants like Google and Microsoft continue to embed themselves in public education, deepening their footprint in schools. And tools like digital hall passes—aimed at tracking student movement and preventing fights—are seeing wider adoption, even as privacy advocates and students push back against over-surveillance. Our colleagues at Chalkbeat Philadelphia have the latest on how their entire district is making these hall passes available for all schools.

Meanwhile, our friends at Gothamist report on a new bill to curb screens in schools, particularly for K-5 students. Where does that leave NYC teachers and students as the new academic year kicks off?

We’re keeping a close eye on how schools navigate tech this year. How do you think schools should approach tech in the classroom? Tell us at [email protected].

A new school year needs strong local reporting. Help Chalkbeat’s reporters keep asking the questions that matter.

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