The Education Policy Hotlist
Top News in US Education Policy for the Week of February 21st
We are at risk of failing to recoup students’ from the negative influence of the pandemic because we've become more tactical than strategic. I've spent the last six months up to my eyebrows in COVID-19 spending plans, and it's still unclear where the billions are headed.
That said, a couple of new themes are emerging. Some states invest in teacher training on the science of reading, and others use the money to explore new approaches to assessment and accountability. And at the local level, our strongest leaders are implementing high-dosage tutoring or summer intervention programs.
These are exciting initiatives. But are these investments part of strategic plans that include long-term goals and progress markers? It is unclear to families how these strategies will lead to long-term recovery goals for their children's achievement and wellness.
Now is a necessary time to build space for data conversations about pandemic recovery progress and plans. The value of centering data on student achievement and wellness is that it anchors us to the journey and the purpose. It's difficult to report our progress if we don't know where we are headed.
So, as we hit legislative sessions and budgeting season, we have to identify what a successful pandemic recovery looks like in the next two, five, or even ten years. And, we must be intentional about reviewing data and revising plans along the way.
CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS
Congress | The House Education and Labor subcommittee on early childhood, elementary, and secondary education subcommittee held a hearing promoting a healthier, more supportive school environment.
Congress | The Senate Finance committee heard from youth leaders and experts about the state of and barriers to addressing student mental health.
FEDERAL EDUCATION POLICY
USED | The Department of Education published updated accountability guidance under ESEA last week.
CNN | The Senate passed another short-term CR to fund the federal government another month.
Ed Dive | Cardona spoke at AASA’s National Conference on Education:
“Don’t think we’re going to solve tomorrow’s problems with our school and district design of yesterday.”
USED | The Department released award information for competitive assessment innovation grants totaling more than $17 million.
AEI | John Bailey argues that governors should use Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to pay low-income families the costs endured during school closures.
ABC News | The Secretary of Education, asks states to ensure that health leaders are at the table in making decisions to off-ramp mask requirements.
STATE AND LOCAL EDUCATION POLICY
HI | The Hawaii Board of Education rejected the state’s proposal to establish a virtual school for students in grades K-12.
ECS | A new policy brief provides a national scan of how state estimates of attendance and enrollment influence funding allocations.
CA | Superintendent Carvalho started his tenure in LA this week and has set priorities on early childhood education, access to technology, and reducing class sizes.
WY | The Wyoming legislature considers dozens of education-related bills spanning topics like social studies, curriculum standards, reading intervention, and vaccine requirements.
KS | Eligible 18-year olds with high school diplomas can become substitute teachers under an emergency measure in Kansas.
FutureEd | A new report provides reasonable recommendations for statewide intensive tutoring programs.
PANDEMIC SCHOOLING
Politico | According to a new poll, nearly half of voters want mask mandates removed.
IL | New records reveal that Chicago will spend a large part of its federal relief funds on staff pay and benefits to mitigate shortages.
FutureEd | A new component of the FutureEd deep dive into local ESSER spending reveals significant differences between low and high-SES districts’ spending on instructional materials.
STUDENT AND TEACHER WELL-BEING
Ed Trust | The Education Trust and CASEL partnered to release a 50 state scan of states’ support for equitable SEL and academic development.
Hopeful Futures Campaign | A new report card was released, scoring all 50 states on policy levers to support student mental health.
EDUCATION RESEARCH
Early Childhood Research Quarterly | According to a new study that measured content-rich instruction and cognitive demand in PreK classrooms, “classrooms with higher percentages of Black students scored lower on observed cognitive demand.”
Brookings | A new study finds benefits for students receiving corequisite remediation over traditional remediation in college.
RAND | The American School District Panel data from fall 2021 reveals details about teacher shortages across US school districts.
“Most districts — but especially urban districts and those serving predominantly students of color — have increased the number of staff they employ, raising concerns about a fiscal cliff once federal stimulus funds end.”
ASSESSMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY
The74 | Amplify released a new report on student achievement for US students. The analysis reveals that our youngest students continue to remain off-track.
MO | Missouri teachers argue for another delay to assessments.
TEACHING AND LEARNING
Brookings | A new study reveals that Head Start had impressive impacts on students' long-term educational and economic attainment. The effect is more significant for younger students who attended Head Start for more years.
OREGON POLICY
Oregonian | A new bill would limit “no-cause” terminations for superintendents, requiring them to receive 12 months’ notice.
Capital Chronicle | Oregon economists, reported a robust Oregon economy projecting an additional $1.5 billion more will be distributed into the state treasury than the previously projected $23 billion budget cycle for 2023.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday, February 23rd (1 PM EST), Ed Trust is hosting a half-day workshop offering three sessions on using federal relief funds.
Monday, February 28th (11 AM EST), The US Department of Education is hosting A Systemic Approach to Support Black Student Mental Health.
DID YOU MISS IT?
Ed Week highlighted my close colleague, Marifer Sager, who leads language access at Portland Public Schools, for her transformative work with students and families. I aspire to lead like her in this unique way.
Dr. Christine M. T. Pitts serves as Resident Policy Fellow at the Center on Reinventing Public Education, overseeing policy leadership for research, advocacy, and government relations. A former teacher and administrator, she previously led research and evaluation for Portland Public Schools. She also served as Policy Advisor at NWEA, where she oversaw state and federal policy to advance equity and innovation in educational assessment. Follow her on Twitter @cmtpitts.