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New Analysis of School Accountability Policies Finds Most States Now Measuring Chronic Absenteeism, College and Career Readiness

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Education Commission of the States Releases 50-State Comparison and Assessment Resources for Education Leaders and Policymakers

DENVER, Oct. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Education Commission of the States, a national nonpartisan organization that informs, counsels, and convenes education leaders to create effective education policy, today released a 50-state analysis that found about 75% of states now include chronic absenteeism and college and career readiness as performance indicators in their state systems of school accountability. The inclusion of these measures reflect the shared priorities of policymakers across the nation, regardless of political affiliation.

Federally-mandated school accountability systems serve many purposes, including sharing information, measuring progress toward state and local goals, highlighting gaps in performance between student groups, and identifying schools for support and additional resources.

“In the wake of the pandemic, as schools continue to recover from interrupted instruction and look for ways to support student success, it’s more important than ever for state education leaders and policymakers to capture and communicate a complete picture of student and school performance,” said ECS President José Muñoz. “Our 50-State Comparison aims to equip education leaders with an objective nationwide view of accountability policies and emerging trends that may help inform effective education policy. It also serves as a launching point to convene leaders, across political party lines, to share best practices that lead to excellent education experiences for all students.”

The 50-State Comparison comes as many states update their plans to comply with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Since state ESSA plans were approved, COVID-19 pandemic school closures resulted in a two-year pause on state accountability. Additionally, states have amended their ESSA plans to account for shifting priorities and legislative changes, challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic and implementation lessons. Among the key takeaways from this year’s comparison:

At least 37 states and the District of Columbia include a measure of college and career readiness in their accountability system. Every student should graduate high school prepared for their next step in life, whether that is enrolling in college or entering the workforce. States are measuring how well schools prepare graduates in different ways, ranging from achieving cut scores on college entrance exams to completing early postsecondary opportunities or work-based learning experiences. Georgia captures students entering postsecondary institutions without requiring remedial or developmental coursework in their college and career readiness indicator, while Delaware includes credit accumulation for 9th graders to credit schools for keeping students on track to graduation.

At least 36 states include chronic absenteeism in their accountability system. Chronic absenteeism—students missing 10% or more of school—was a challenge for schools even before the pandemic but has since been exacerbated, reaching a rate of about 31% in 2021-22. Research shows chronic absenteeism can have a major impact on student performance. Earlier this year, the Biden-Harris Administration urged states to adopt strategies to increase attendance, including by adding chronic absenteeism as an indicator in their statewide accountability and improvement systems. Iowa recently adopted an indicator of chronic absenteeism that credits schools for improving attendance rates for students identified as chronically absent in the previous year.

At least 16 states operate a unique state accountability system separate from the accountability system outlined in the state ESSA plan. State plans utilize different metrics, rating systems, and reporting mechanisms. A geographically and politically diverse group of states, like California and Missouri, operate separate state accountability systems that address concerns specific to the state’s unique education context and goals.

States are evolving the way they label and communicate overall school performance, with some shifting away from A-F ratings. States most commonly rate school performance using Descriptive Ratings, like “below expectations” or “meets expectations” (13 states), Index Ratings (12 states and the District of Columbia) and Federal Tiers of Support (14 states). Six states use A-F ratings and four states use 1-5 star ratings. The most notable change over time is a shift away from using A-F ratings. This year, for example, two fewer states—Indiana and Michigan—are using A-F ratings.

You can view the full findings of the comparison here.

In addition to the 50-State Comparison, ECS has published key information for state leaders on student assessment and a Special Report that explores federal assessment requirements, flexibilities and ways that states use assessment as a measurement tool to inform policy.

You can view all resources here.

About Education Commission of the States

Education Commission of the States (ECS) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that serves as a partner to state policymakers by providing personalized support and opportunities to learn from one another. Through their resources and services, policymakers gain the insight and experience needed to create effective education policy. Learn more at ecs.org.

CONTACT: Thomas Rodgers, 601-334-6655, thomas@whiteboardadvisors.com.

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SOURCE Education Commission of the States

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MemoMind Opens Global Pre-Orders for MemoMind One, Its First Everyday AI Glasses

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April 28, 2026

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Designed to look and feel like everyday eyewear, MemoMind One delivers hands-free AI assistance through discreet displays and voice interaction.

SHENZHEN, China, April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — MemoMind, the new AI hardware brand incubated by XGIMI, today announces the opening of global pre-orders for MemoMind One, its first AI glasses. Ahead of the product’s official launch in May, customers can now reserve MemoMind One on the website and unlock limited-time benefits, including preferred campaign pricing and exclusive bonuses.

First introduced at CES 2026 in Las Vegas and later showcased at MWC 2026 in Barcelona, MemoMind One marks XGIMI’s expansion beyond projection technology into AI-powered wearables. Drawing on more than a decade of expertise in optics and consumer hardware, MemoMind is bringing a new approach to all-day smart glasses designed to blend into everyday life.

AI Glasses Designed for Natural, Everyday Use

MemoMind One is designed to look and feel like a regular pair of glasses, making it comfortable for all-day wear. With discreet displays, speakers, and microphones built into the frame, it provides hands-free access to helpful information without interrupting daily routines. By placing information directly within the user’s field of view, MemoMind One offers a more natural way to interact with AI throughout the day.

Key features include:

Memo AI

An on-device AI assistant that provides real-time support throughout the day, including Q&A, live translation, navigation guidance and contextual assistance. An adaptive teleprompter feature helps users stay on pace while speaking or presenting.

Idea Notes

Captures voice notes instantly and converts them into organized, searchable texts helping users preserve ideas and stay focused without interruptions.

AI Recorder

Records meetings, lectures, and conversations, then generates structured summaries within seconds, making it easier to review key points and to-do lists.

Three Frame Styles with Customizable Color and Prescription Options

Because eyewear is as much about personal style as it is about technology, MemoMind One will be available in three frame styles – Nomad (Square-Round), Archive (Round), and Gotham (Square) – along with seven customizable color options. Each frame is designed for optimal  comfort, fit, and durability, with prescription lens options available.

Pricing and Editions

MemoMind One will be available in two editions:

The Standard Edition starts at $599, or $699 with prescription lenses.
The Custom Edition starts at $749, or $849 with prescription lenses.

To mark the start of pre-orders, MemoMind is offering customers a chance to unlock benefits valued at up to $340. By placing a $30 deposit, customers will receive early access to the Kickstarter campaign, preferred pricing, and exclusive items, including a pair of clip-on sunglass lenses and one year of premium MemoMind app membership.

The deposit is risk-free and fully refundable after the campaign ends.

Availability

Customers worldwide can reserve MemoMind One now at MemoMind.com.

The Kickstarter campaign will launch on May 28, 2026, with first deliveries expected later this summer.

To learn more about XGIMI’s latest innovations, visit the XGIMI website, or follow @XGIMItech on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

About XGIMI

Since 2013, the state-of-the-art XGIMI projectors have helped countless people worldwide to create genuinely immersive audio-visual experiences. Working with reputable partners like Google, Harman Kardon, and Texas Instruments, XGIMI builds all-in-one entertainment devices, perfected due to their user-oriented philosophy. Through industry-leading innovation, streamlined setups, and unique designs, XGIMI always strives to develop the best home and portable projectors for everyone to enjoy. Learn more at XGIMI Projector Technology.

About MemoMind

MemoMind is an AI hardware company incubated by XGIMI, the world’s leading smart projector brand. Built on years of optical engineering expertise and a refined design philosophy, Memomind brings a hardware-first approach to everyday AI.

Designed to feel natural rather than intrusive, MemoMind focuses on delivering AI that works quietly in the background, supporting users with clarity, context, and intention. Every product is crafted to be comfortable, intuitive, and seamlessly integrated into daily life, enabling AI to become more effortless, more personal, and more human.

Crafted for the mindful, MemoMind believes the most powerful technology is the kind you barely notice – until you need it.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/memomind-opens-global-pre-orders-for-memomind-one-its-first-everyday-ai-glasses-302755822.html

SOURCE MemoMind

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Barsys Shaker Pro Now Available Following Successful CES 2026 Debut

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43 minutes ago

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April 28, 2026

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The Crowd Favorite from CES is Now Ready to Bring Bar-Quality Cocktails to Homes Nationwide

NEW YORK, April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Barsys, the leading app-driven automated cocktail brand, today announces that the Barsys Shaker Pro is now widely available for purchase on Barsys.com and TikTok Shop. After generating significant buzz at the January CES launch, cocktail enthusiasts everywhere can now get their hands on the smart, portable cocktail device that’s redefining how drinks are made at home.

Designed for modern drink lovers, the Shaker Pro is a smart, app-controlled device that guides users step-by-step through thousands of cocktail recipes, delivering bar-quality drinks from anywhere. Building on the beloved technology of the Barsys Coaster 2.0 — which reached #1 in its category on TikTok Shop during the last holiday season — the Shaker Pro takes that same hardware and adds full portability with a built-in rechargeable battery and USB-C charging.

Akshet Tewari, CEO and founder of Barsys, shares, “The Shaker Pro is everything our customers have been asking for — the same precision and quality they know from Barsys, in a device they can take anywhere. Over the past year we’ve seen tremendous growth, and launching the Shaker Pro feels like a natural next step in that journey. We’re continuing to push the boundaries of what home bartending can look like.”

Users select a drink in the Barsys app, and the device’s interactive lighting guides them through each pour — signaling exactly when to start and stop for perfectly balanced measurements. As ingredients are added, the Shaker Pro simultaneously mixes and aerates the drink, cutting down effort and delivering a consistently great result every time.

The Shaker Pro is an all-in-one device that measures, mixes, and guides every pour from a single sleek system. Fully rechargeable via USB-C, it untethers you from the kitchen counter so you can host anywhere. Color-coded lighting takes the guesswork out of every pour, signaling exactly when to start and stop for perfectly balanced results every time. Paired seamlessly with the Barsys app, it delivers a guided, low-effort experience — from timeless classics to creative craft cocktails — with smart recommendations built around your taste and what’s already in your bar.

The Barsys Shaker Pro is available now at Barsys.com and TikTok Shop at its pre-order price of $49.99 through May 8, before increasing to $79.99.

About Barsys

Barsys is a leading app-driven cocktail technology company redefining how drinks are made at home and beyond. Known for its precision, personalization, and ease of use, Barsys combines innovative hardware with intelligent software to deliver consistently high-quality cocktails. The brand empowers users of all experience levels to explore, customize, and create drinks with confidence. With a growing ecosystem of connected products and digital experiences, Barsys continues to push the future of cocktail-making forward.

Media Contact: grace@barsys.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/barsys-shaker-pro-now-available-following-successful-ces-2026-debut-302754862.html

SOURCE Barsys

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Coheso Announces AI Enhancements Across Slack, Teams, Outlook, and Gmail

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44 minutes ago

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April 28, 2026

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NEW YORK, April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Coheso, the AI-native legal front door and work management platform for in-house legal and compliance teams, today announced a series of recent AI-native enhancements across its Slack, Teams, Outlook, and Gmail integrations. The updates make it easier for organizations to connect the channels employees use every day with structured legal intake and work management.

Many legal requests still begin informally in a quick chat or email to in-house counsel. That has long created a tradeoff between asking employees to leave their workflow to fill out a form and allowing requests to arrive unstructured for legal to sort out later. Coheso’s AI now interprets the content and context of the original message in Slack, Teams, Outlook, or Gmail, identifies the right intake workflow, and populates request forms automatically, reducing manual effort while preserving the structure legal needs. From there, Coheso keeps the related conversation synced with the request so that, while legal can triage through the Coheso platform, business can still work in chat and email.

In Slack and Teams, employees can also ask routine questions directly in the flow of work, and Coheso’s AI determines whether an interaction should be addressed through self-service or converted into formal legal work. The result is faster answers for the business and fewer routine interruptions for legal.

Coheso has also expanded its AI agent capabilities for legal and business teams. As part of automated workflows originating from Slack, Teams, Outlook, or Gmail, these agents can take on a wide range of tasks, from extracting key details to reviewing submissions against internal guidelines. When appropriate, agents can respond directly to business users within these same integrations, combining faster self-service with more intelligent escalation.

By capturing requests more consistently across the organization, regardless of where they originate, Coheso gives General Counsels and business leaders a more complete view of how work is flowing through the department, where demand is increasing, and the measurable impact legal is having across the business.

“Legal teams need structure around incoming work, but the business is going to keep working in email and chat,” said Chirag Mehta, Head of Product and Co-Founder of Coheso. “Our recent AI enhancements make those channels far more effective by helping Coheso understand intent, capture context, guide users into the right workflow, and reduce the manual effort required to get legal work into the system.”

Taken together, these enhancements reflect Coheso’s broader approach to legal operations: meeting the business where it already works while giving legal a centralized system for triage, ownership, and follow-through. The result is a better experience for employees and a stronger foundation for managing growing volumes of requests.

Demos are available upon request through https://www.coheso.ai/

About Coheso

Coheso is an AI-native legal front door and work management platform for in-house legal and compliance teams. The platform combines centralized intake, including automated responses to routine questions, an efficient workflow for complex cross-functional tasks, and agentic capabilities that enable work to move forward automatically. Headquartered in New York, the company is backed by leading venture capital firms including Tola Capital, Crew Capital, Character, and FirsthandVC, as well as Carnegie Mellon University.

Contact:

Manish Agnihotri
Co-Founder & Head of Artificial Intelligence
manish@coheso.ai
+1 646-452-4490

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/coheso-announces-ai-enhancements-across-slack-teams-outlook-and-gmail-302755673.html

SOURCE Coheso, Inc.

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