The Education Policy Hotlist
Top US News for the Week of May 16th
THE WEEKS AHEAD
On Thursday, May 19th at 2:00 PM EST, The Hunt Institute will host a webinar on Reconsidering School Choice in the Wake of COVID-19. Register here.
On Monday, May 23rd at 12:30 PM EST, the US Department of Education will host a half-day virtual summit to bring together education leaders, disability advocates and coordinators, special education professionals, and others to discuss issues affecting students with disabilities and students with mental health needs. Register here.
On Wednesday, June 8th, time TBD, hear from Senator Ballard (NC) and Commissioner Vandeven (MO), via the Education Commission of the States and SAS, about their state plans to address unfinished learning. Register here.
FEDERAL EDUCATION POLICY
HHS | The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) awarded approximately $25 million to HRSA health centers to increase access to school-based health services
CSP | Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) sent a bipartisan letter to Secretary Cardona illustrating why they are concerned about a proposed rule that would change charter school funding options from the Charter School Program (CSP).
“… the proposed NPP would require grantees to demonstrate “community impact” to show that there is “sufficient demand,” such as that they are not reducing public school enrollment in the same school district, which would not account for whether or not students have access to high-quality public schools.”
Bloomberg | According to President Biden, the infrastructure law passed this year reduced internet costs for families across the US.
STATE & LOCAL EDUCATION POLICY
Politico | Texas Governor, Abbott, suggested there may be an opportunity to overturn Plyer v. Doe, the precedent to protect the educational rights of undocumented children.
NM | Elementary schools in Albuquerque, are using ESSER funds to extend their school year.
NM | Albuquerque is budgeting $230 million of federal relief funds, including early learning hubs and learning acceleration.
ME | Pooled testing run by schools will end in Portland, Maine.
The74 | Eighty-six Minnesota school board members have resigned their posts since the beginning of 2020.
TEACHER WORKFORCE
WV | West Virginia’s Grow Your Own teacher pathway model is now a federally designated apprenticeship program.
The74 | A new project from columnist David Brooks centers on the role of educators as “weavers” within communities.
UCCSR | A new study by the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research finds that teachers can leverage feedback from annual teacher evaluations to improve instructional practices when they feel respected as professionals.
OH | A bill in Ohio will extend easier substitute teacher requirements for another two years.
STUDENT SEL & POSTSECONDARY SUCCESS
Gradient Learning | Ninety-one percent of teachers report that students perform better when schools center on social and emotional learning and well-being.
WSJ | US teens are entering the job market at higher rates than they have since before the great recession.
Brookings | A new study finds declines of 16% in immediate transitions to two-year colleges and 6% into four-year colleges.
ASSESSMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY
EdWeek | As of the time of this article, USED had approved nine 2022 state accountability plans and is negotiating with 15 more states.
Fordham | Checker Finn released a new book titled Assessing the Nation’s Report Card.
NYT | The American Bar Association, is considering eliminating standardized test benchmarks for admission purposes.
SCHOOL SPENDING
The74 | Edunomics Lab released more details about the data they’ve compiled on local spending plans.
USED | The US Department of Education extended the liquidation period for facilities and capital improvement investments.
NE | Nebraska districts plan to use federal relief funds on purchases that would’ve been difficult without new cash infusion.
ENROLLMENT
K12 Dive | Some districts are revising spending plans to address enrollment declines and staffing shortages.
The74 | A surge in 9th-grade enrollment numbers may result from freshmen being held back in coursework. Explore the interactive map here.
FUTURE OF LEARNING
ECS | ECS pulled together a remote learning resource hub.
Fordham | Ashley Jochim, CRPE, unpacks what she learned from studying pandemic pods on the Education Gadfly Show.
ICYMI
The new Regional Education Laboratory Northwest at WestEd is out with a vital newsletter highlighting their research. Sign up and read below.
Dr. Christine M. T. Pitts serves as Director of Impact and Communications 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.