The Education Policy Hotlist
Top News in US Education Policy for the Week of August 8th
ONE THING AT THE TOP
The EduRecoveryHub podcast: Route K-12 wrapped Season 1 last week. You can tune into Jim’s conversations with researchers, policymakers, and state leaders about our nation’s path towards education recovery here.
THE WEEKS AHEAD
August 8th - 12th, NCES is hosting the virtual STATS-DC Data Conference. The conference includes federal and national updates about collecting, reporting, and using education statistics. Register here.
Wednesday, August 10th (1:00 PM EST), the Education Commission of the States is hosting a webinar on teacher pipelines, including comments from Arne Duncan and commissioners from Indiana and Nevada. Register here.
Thursday, August 11th (11:30 AM EST), Panorama Education is hosting a virtual summit to explore how we can improve positive relationships, SEL, and inclusivity in schools. Register here.
FEDERAL EDUCATION POLICY
Representative Bonamici (D-OR) and other lawmakers sent a letter to the Department of Education requesting state guidance for developing evidence-based practices to implement the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act [Rep. Bonamici].
The US Department of Education sent a letter to governors across the country about how to use new federal funds to support student mental health [USED].
EDUCATION ADVOCACY
A group of education organizations asked the US Department of Education for more guidance on ESSER spending decisions [K12-Dive].
EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN SCHOOLS
Chris Stewart writes a great recap of the Colemen report, including a video discussing the influential government studies of public education [a free mind].
EDUCATION AND POLITICS
Education, specifically school choice, is a key issue in the Michigan governor’s race [Chalkbeat].
EDUCATION FINANCE
NYC faces continued conflicts about addressing budgeting during declining enrollment [Chalkbeat].
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
According to a new analysis, states are using federal aid to recover early childhood education [NASBE].
The latest Senate version of Build Back Better does not include the $390 billion for child care and preschool and $190 billion for a child tax credit included in the House’s version [The74].
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
The latest national Pulse Panel survey results indicate that school leaders estimate half of their students began the 2021-22 school year behind grade level [NCES].
As plans for more tutoring increase across US schools, Americorps is stepping in to help locate people to fill positions [Chalkbeat].
COVID IN SCHOOLS
The CDC will release COVID-19 prevention policies for schools [CBS].
According to a new survey, 45.6% of parents said they would vaccinate their child when eligible [JAMA].
SCHOOL CLIMATE
Do cell phones hamper belongingness and a positive school climate [Education Next]?
ICYMI
The latest Advocacy Lab report from FutureEd and 50CAN, Change Agents: What Social Simulations Can Teach Public Policy Advocates, explores how social simulations can help us improve advocacy strategies.
As a social scientist and self-proclaimed social network analysis (SNA) nerd, I appreciate how Marc anchors advocacy strategies to social science models that better resemble our global and interconnected interactions.
Dr. Christine M. T. Pitts serves as Director of Impact and Communications at the Center on Reinventing Public Education, overseeing policy leadership and external affairs. A teacher and researcher by training, she previously led research and evaluation for Portland Public Schools and served as Policy Advisor at NWEA, overseeing state and federal policy to advance equity and innovation in educational assessment. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @cmtpitts.