The Education Policy Hotlist
Top news in U.S. education policy for the week of April 10 - 14
Welcome to the latest edition of the Education Policy Hotlist!
In this issue, we delve into recent developments in Title IX rules, challenges with special education funding, chronic absenteeism in East Los Angeles, increasing gun-related deaths among children, federal relief spending, teacher compensation and workforce, and state assessment systems.
Don't miss the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's latest report on the historical landscape of U.S. assessment and accountability, which sheds light on the test-based accountability movement that tied school performance to standardized test scores for two decades.
As a classroom teacher, I have experienced the frustration of the disconnect between teaching, student engagement, and learning. In my recent blog post, I share my journey of exploring and understanding the role and value of assessments and accountability and how this new report can be a valuable resource for researchers and policymakers in the years to come.
THE WEEKS AHEAD
On Tuesday, April 11th at 9:00 a.m. (EST) CCSSO is hosting Imagining More: A Summit on Modernizing Our Education System. The Summit will address issues such as rethinking how students experience learning during the day, considering how to engage with partners beyond the traditional school walls, and questioning how we define when a student is ready to progress in learning and life beyond high school [Register here].
On Tuesday, April 11th at 2:00 p.m. (EST), The Department of Education is hosting a briefing with senior leaders discussing how the President’s FY2024 budget request advances the Administration’s goals to expand access to high-quality early childhood education [Register here].
On Tuesday, April 11th at 3:00 p.m. (EST), The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading is hosting a webinar called Beyond the ESSER “Funding Cliff”: Local Supports to Sustain High-Impact Tutoring [Register here].
On Tuesday, April 18th at 3:00 p.m. (EST), AASA and EAB are hosting a webinar called How to (Finally) Succeed with Science of Reading: Research-Backed Strategies for Early Literacy [Register here].
STUDENT WELL-BEING
For the first time, President Biden's education team has weighed in on Title IX rules, advising schools to consider factors such as age, sport, and level of competition [NYT].
Board District 2, which serves students in East Los Angeles, is facing a chronic absenteeism crisis, with parents and advocates urging the school district to help students re-engage after the challenges posed by the pandemic [The74].
Children dying from guns increased by 50% in just two years [Pew]
FEDERAL RELIEF SPENDING
A recent report from ERS conducted a comprehensive 50-state analysis to identify which states may face challenges with the impending fiscal cliff when federal relief funds end. The analysis examined three key factors, including (a) the proportion of ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds to total state education funds, (b) the number of districts serving students living in poverty, and (c) the number of students being served in higher-need districts [ERS].
ERS As we approach the September 2024 deadline to utilize pandemic federal relief funding, which is now just T-18 months away, recent research reveals that more districts have invested in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) compared to expanding learning time. Additionally, approximately half of the relief funds are allocated toward human capital [Education Next].
Edunomics
EDUCATION WORKFORCE
Teacher compensation, early childhood programming, and school vouchers are the focal points of governors' education agendas [Brookings].
A new coalition, consisting of Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Teach Plus, ERS, and other organizations, aims to revamp the role of U.S. teachers, as stated in a recent announcement [Coalition].
Researchers at Kansas State University analyzed education workforce data to identify states that rely on less qualified staff [EdSurge].
Dr. Matthew Springer delves into the relationship between teacher merit pay and student performance [IES].
A Minnesota bill is set to eliminate alternative licensure pathways and may require teachers to take additional training outside the classroom [The74].
EDUCATION GOVERNANCE
A recent analysis of state ELA test score data reveals that state-level factors are crucial in determining the extent to which students are recovering from pandemic-related learning losses [NBER].
Oklahoma's Attorney General emphasizes the need for lawmakers' support for the state board of education decision-making [OK].
Governors across the country prioritize postsecondary pathways, such as work-based learning opportunities and apprenticeships, in their state-of-the-state addresses [NGA].
STATE ASSESSMENT SYSTEMS
The Center for Assessment suggests that transitioning to a through-year assessment model would necessitate renegotiating the "implicit accountability contract" between the state and schools [NCIEA].
A set of briefs from Bellwether aims to clarify common misconceptions about statewide assessment systems, providing valuable insights into this topic [Bellwether].
POLITICS AND REFORM
Rural school districts may benefit from implementing four-day school weeks, as they can save costs and potentially improve morale [The74].
In a thought-provoking discussion, Rick and Pedro explore the perils and paralysis of political polarization [Medium].
ICYMI
Danyela Souza Egorov discusses the lowering of academic expectations for American students in the post-Covid era in her article published in NYSUN.
Read the latest edition of a student-led newspaper at Mesa Charter High School.
Dr. Christine M. T. Pitts serves as Senior Policy Fellow at the Center on Reinventing Public Education, where she oversees policy leadership and external affairs. With a background as a teacher and researcher, Christine previously led research and evaluation for Portland Public Schools and served as Policy Advisor at NWEA, where she oversaw state and federal policy to advance equity and innovation in educational assessment. Follow her on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter for updates.