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AI, cellphones and millions for schools lost — then recovered

By Nick Sullivan, Arizona Republic,

1 day ago

Hi everyone, and welcome back to Educating Arizona! 🌞

When Madeleine Parrish and I launched this newsletter in April, we promised to deliver exclusive stories and powerful watchdog journalism. This week’s edition is a testament to that promise.

Read on for deep dives into cellphone policy, artificial intelligence and an expensive — but reversible — mistake.

💸 Millions in expired school improvement funds can be restored, feds say

Schools got a financial shock last month when the Arizona Department of Education cut their anticipated school improvement grants, in some cases by more than 50% .

Last week, we broke the news that explained the surprising cuts. The department had lost $29 million in federal grants because it missed the spending deadline. Officials didn't realize the money had expired until several months after the fact. They looked everywhere for a solution, they said, but it was too late to get that money back.

That wasn’t true.

I contacted the U.S. Department of Education last week and asked if Arizona could still request a waiver to extend the spending deadline. Three days later, the U.S. department notified the Arizona department that it wasn't too late to seek a waiver.

Arizona is now in the process of getting that money back, thanks in large part to the many expert sources who helped us in our reporting along the way. 🙌

🤖 AI is changing education — here's how

Experts say this school year will likely mark a turning point in how Arizona students and educators interact with artificial intelligence.

In May, Northern Arizona University issued Arizona’s first statewide guidance on using generative AI in K-12 classrooms.

We knew we had to take a look at how AI is transforming classrooms and schools for students, teachers and administrators. Here's what we found, in two parts:

📱 Why schools are restricting cellphone use

Several districts across the state have enacted policies limiting student cellphone use as school leaders argue phones distract students and can lead to disciplinary issues.

In Scottsdale Unified, middle school students must keep their phones away for the entire school day. At Apache Junction High School, students can’t use their phones during class time.

Read about what these cellphone policies have looked like on the ground .

What we’re celebrating

🏅 Students at central Phoenix’s Emerson Elementary School cheered on an afterschool program employee who competed in the Olympics last week . Freddie Crittenden went on to place sixth in men’s 110-meter hurdles.

Other school news from around the Valley

🚫 The Arizona Department of Education pressured schools to keep English learners out of dual language programs while a lawsuit initiated by Superintendent Tom Horne is pending. That guidance runs counter to what the state Board of Education says , our colleague Daniel Gonzalez reports.

🗳 There will be a new leader in the Maricopa County School Superintendent's Office in 2025. Incumbent Steve Watson lost the Republican primary. Shelli Boggs will take on Democrat Laura Matcalfe in November. The two serve together on the East Valley Institute of Technology governing board.

📝 Higher education reporter Helen Rummel explored how Arizona is working to boost its last-in-the-nation completion rate for FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Applications for the 2025-26 cycle open later this fall.

Thanks for reading! You can reach me at nsullivan@gannett.com and my colleague Madeleine Parrish at mparrish@arizonarepublic.com .

Share your good news, send accountability tips and keep the discussion going on The Arizona Republic's education Facebook page .

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: AI, cellphones and millions for schools lost — then recovered