The Education Policy Hotlist
Top news in U.S. education policy for the week of September 4th - 8th
Welcome back to the Education Policy Hotlist, your weekly news source on education policy. Happy Friday!
In this week’s edition, you will find new updates about AI in education, opportunities to improve student academic support, ways to rethink seat time and the school day, and how to improve the honesty gap (don’t know what that is? Please, keep reading).
Before we dive in, I want to flag two things:
My CRPE colleagues and I published a new research brief this week to help education advocates play a central role in education finance decisions as we near the final year of ESSER spending. Take a look and contact me if you want to join forces. Districts and states must hear from you.
Edunomics is hosting two workshops this fall to support district leaders anticipating the challenges and options they face as they prepare for the fiscal cliff. Check it out!
I hope you find this newsletter informative and helpful. I value your feedback and suggestions, so please get in touch with me with your comments or questions. You can also share this newsletter with your friends and colleagues.
Cheers!
The Weeks Ahead
On Tuesday, September 12th, NCEE is hosting a discussion with Vicki Phillips and Andreas Schleicher to review the annual “Education at a Glance” report. Register here.
Thursday, September 14th, Overdeck Family Foundation is hosting a conversation with leading education technology providers titled, “The Role of Technology in Equitable Math Learning Recovery and Acceleration.” Register here.
Thursday, September 21st, ECS is facilitating a conversation with Teachers of Tomorrow that will offer guidance and support for educators moving into the certification process. Register here.
Home-to-School Connections
The parent-teacher gap: Why many parents don’t know how their kids are doing in school
A recent article in Time magazine reveals that many American parents have a distorted view of their children’s academic performance. According to a survey by Learning Heroes, an organization that aims to improve parent-teacher communication, 90% of parents think their children are reading and doing math at or above grade level. In comparison, only 26% of eighth graders are proficient or above in math, and 31% are proficient or above in English. This gap is caused by two factors: report cards that do not reflect grade-level achievement, and teachers who lack the training and time to converse honestly with parents. The article also suggests ways to bridge the gap, such as providing parents with clear and actionable feedback, using standardized tests as a diagnostic tool, and creating a culture of trust and collaboration between parents and teachers.
The harmful effects of grade Inflation: A Fordham commentary
Fordham leaders criticize the practice of grade inflation in American schools. The commentary argues that grade inflation, which is the tendency to award higher grades than students deserve, is not a victimless crime, but rather a severe problem that undermines academic standards, misleads students and parents and damages the credibility of education. Like so many others, this commentary calls for more honesty and rigor in grading and better alignment between grades and learning outcomes.
A potential lifeline for the Affordable Connectivity Program
The Brookings Institution piece argues that the FCC should regain its authority to hold spectrum auctions to fund the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP offers broadband service and device discounts to eligible households but needs more funds by mid-2024. The article explains that a court ruling suspended the FCC's ability to hold spectrum auctions, which generate billions of dollars. Therefore, Congress should restore the FCC's auction authority and allocate some revenue to the ACP. The ACP is an essential policy lever for bridging the digital divide.
Supporting Student Achievement
How states can support early math achievement amid declines
Education Commission of the States examined the recent declines in math achievement among young learners in the United States. The report explores the factors contributing to these declines, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, opportunity gaps, and international trends. The report provides examples of state strategies to address early math achievement, such as assessment and intervention, curriculum, and workforce support.
A call for tough love to reverse learning loss
Mike Petrilli, President of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, calls for urgent action to address the learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The essay argues that the U.S. needs to revive the era of results-based school accountability, which led to significant progress among low-income and minority students in the past. The essay also criticizes the federal government's and other stakeholders' need for leadership and attention to the education crisis. The article is part of a series of essays on education issues published by The New York Times.
Arizona’s tutoring program: Is it the right approach?
Arizona's new statewide tutoring program aims to help students falling behind academically due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will provide free online or in-person tutoring to about 150,000 students in grades K-8 who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. The article highlights the program's potential benefits, such as improving student achievement, confidence, and motivation. However, it also includes an essential critique from other state leaders about whether a statewide approach is the most helpful tool when other states end tutoring contracts due to a lack of uptake.
Learning Time
Rethinking time and learning: Tim Knowles on why we should abandon the Carnegie Unit
In an interview with Tim Knowles, the founder and managing partner of the Academy Group, a social enterprise that prepares young people from under-resourced communities for success in college and careers, the74 uncovers Knowles’s critique of the Carnegie unit, a measure of academic credit based on the amount of time students spend in class, which he argues is outdated and ineffective. Knowles proposes a new model of education that focuses on mastery, personalization, and real-world application of skills and knowledge. He also shares examples of how the Academy Group implements this model through its programs and partnerships.
The pros and cons of a four-day school week
Researchers at the RAND Corporation summarize the findings of a study on the effects of a four-day school week on student achievement, attendance, and behavior. The study, which was conducted in Colorado, found that switching to a four-day school week did not significantly impact student outcomes. Still, it did save money for districts and increase teacher retention. The blog post also discusses some of the challenges and benefits of implementing a four-day school week, such as balancing childcare needs, providing enrichment opportunities, and improving teacher morale.
AI in Education
Senator Cassidy seeks feedback on AI white paper
Senator Bill Cassidy, ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, has published a white paper about artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on society. The report examines how AI can help or harm healthcare, education, and employment. Cassidy also asks interested parties to share their opinions on how the government should regulate AI and promote its responsible use. Please don't hesitate to provide feedback until September 22.
Looking for more guidance on how to talk about AI? You might find these resources helpful:
The teachers’ guide from OpenAI, which offers tips and examples for introducing AI concepts and practices to students.
The AI policy brief from the U.S. Department of Education provides an overview of AI's current state and future directions in education.
These are both excellent sources of information and inspiration for educators and leaders who want to integrate AI into their teaching and learning.
The Supreme Court’s role in AI regulation: A Brookings analysis
A new article examines how the Supreme Court’s significant questions doctrine, which limits the power of federal agencies to interpret ambiguous statutes, could affect the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI). The origin and evolution of the doctrine, and how it could pose challenges for agencies that seek to address the complex and dynamic issues raised by AI, such as privacy, security, and ethics. However, there are some possible ways to overcome these challenges, such as clarifying congressional intent, updating existing laws, and creating new frameworks for AI governance.
Federal Education Policy
Help improve education in your region: Join a meeting and share your thoughts
You can help to improve education in your region. Secretary Cardona established 10 regional groups of experts who will meet online from September to October. I have the pleasure of serving in the Northwest region. Each region will review local data and public comment. Please consider joining a meeting or sharing your thoughts in writing here. Comments are due by September 30th.
Promoting educator diversity: U.S. Department of Education to host two national convenings
The U.S. Department of Education announced two upcoming events focused on educator diversity: the Teach to Lead Summit and the Conference on Equity in Opportunity. The events will bring educational leaders and stakeholders together to share best practices and insights on increasing the diversity of the teaching workforce. ED is reifying its commitment to supporting school systems as they find new and innovative ways to encourage, invest in, and support teachers across America.
ICYMI
New Mexico KidsCAN shared a great tip on Instagram for parents who want to connect with their child’s teachers this year. As my son starts middle school, I’m concerned that his multiple teachers might overlook his special education needs. This post gave me an idea of how to ensure he gets the attention and support he deserves.
Dr. Christine M. T. Pitts is an executive leader, advancing public policy for social impact. Follow her on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter for updates.
As to the home-school connection- my district forbids teachers from telling parents the results of all the big tests that mirror the state assessment. Totally criminal!
We should organize society, our public school systems and job training programs, around the concept of collective ownership instead of private businesses.
REMOVE MONEY, REMOVE CORRUPTION
If every worker got in exchange for their professional careers everything that they needed to have a happy, balanced life in a safe and healthy world governed by fair laws and modern practices, then our use of science and ethics to generate daily goods and services, as basic human entitlements, will have fulfilled the purpose of socialism: to ensure “universal protections for all by all” without using money anymore or national currencies to uphold private capital, maintain structural wealth, or support banks and financing and other profit-making activities.
#ScientificSocialism