During a recent government meeting, trustees discussed significant updates on student outcomes and insights from the Mexican American School Board Association (MASBA) conference.

Trustee Markham reported a low percentage of student outcome minutes for July and August, attributing this to meetings focused primarily on bond issues. The current tracking stands at 5.56%, but Markham expressed optimism for improvement in the coming month.

Trustee Zarate provided an overview of the MASBA conference, highlighting critical discussions on immigrant students' rights. With a substantial portion of students in Texas coming from immigrant families, Zarate emphasized the need for awareness and support for these students, who often face significant challenges, including dangerous journeys to the U.S. Zarate recounted a keynote speech by Sonia Nazario, author of \"Enrique's Journey,\" which detailed the harrowing experiences of immigrant children.

The conference also addressed the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. Discussions cautioned against the hasty adoption of AI tools, stressing the importance of proper evaluation and qualified personnel to guide implementation. The AI tech industry is booming, valued at $145 billion, prompting concerns about the quality and bias of educational products being introduced in schools.

Additionally, Zarate shared insights from a session on vulnerability in leadership, inspired by Brene Brown's work. The session encouraged board members to embrace vulnerability as a strength in fostering connections within their teams.

The meeting concluded with a positive note on student engagement, showcasing a program where students presented their perspectives, effectively shifting adult thinking on various issues. This initiative highlighted the importance of student voices in shaping educational policies and practices.