The Education Policy Hotlist
Top News in US Education Policy for the Week of February 14th
Portland Public Schools administers an annual district-wide school climate and culture survey each winter. This was part of my role leading PPS research last year. It was challenging getting buy-in for the study since we were all remote. Our participation rates were lower than typical years, especially for students and families of color. But, with other qualitative information captured via our culturally affirming community partners, we honed our understanding of how the community was faring during distance learning. These data spurred conversations for district leaders centered on student engagement and well-being.
This week the 2022 Successful Schools Survey opens. This is a chance for families, students, and staff to share their celebrations, challenges, and recommendations in Portland. If you are a PPS family reading this message, please take the survey and urge your neighbors to do the same.
You likely have a similar survey administered for those in other school districts. If you haven’t heard of one, reach out to your school or community and find out why. Districts typically share these data publicly. They can inform community-based decisions and parent engagement.
Information about students' well-being is critical to growing a just and caring school system. Now is the time to do our part to ensure that our leaders are working with the most accurate information about how we are doing. School climate and culture information will help leaders recoup student well-being from the pandemic’s severe toll.
COVID AND SCHOOLS
Burbio | School closures ceased across the US for the most part.
AEI | Nat Malkus and Marguerite Roza in the Report Card Podcast provide a thorough primer on what federal pandemic aid funds are, how they are distributed to schools, and the themes and challenges we are seeing right now.
NYT | The Daily podcast covered the politics behind recent democratic states removing mask requirements in schools.
NYT | A case for COVID-19 vaccine mandates for kids.
OR | While the Oregon Health Authority and Department of Education have okayed a move to remove mask mandates in schools in late March, it is unclear whether or how this will influence schools.
NJ | New Jersey Governor Murphy, vice chairman of the NGA, will no longer require masks in schools beginning the second week of March.
STATE AND LOCAL EDUCATION POLICY
ECS | State policymakers can help school districts support substitute teacher quality in critical ways.
The74 | Maryland Commissioner, Choudary, provides LEAs with a menu of spending incentives for federal pandemic aid called Maryland Leads. This approach may be a middle-ground in the absence of aggressive accountability levers.
“Districts often like to make their own decisions. And this way, [Choudhury] is not dictating what they should be doing, but he is giving them incentives… providing this sort of menu of options that can bring them extra money seems like a smart approach.” Phyllis Jordan, FutureEd
AR | In Arkansas, students receiving special education services will no longer be allowed to graduate based on their individualized education plan goals.
FL | Governor DeSantis announced the state would invest nearly $90 million to boost CTE.
Scott | Mackenzie Scott invests $133 million in Communities in Schools, a national non-profit committed to providing relational support for students and families in 18 states.
POLITICS IN EDUCATION
K12Dive | Teacher union unrest may pose a barrier to recovery in the coming year.
ECS | Don’t forget to follow the state-of-the-state addresses through the ECS portal.
TEACHING, LEARNING, & LEADERSHIP
ILO | A new analysis on the COVID-19 pandemic indicates significant turnover among district superintendents and a widening gender gap among district leaders.
NEA | A new poll reveals that 55 percent of teachers report considering leaving the profession sooner than expected.
EDUCATION RESEARCH
RAND | The latest report released from the American School District Panel, reveals superintendent struggles with enrollment, attendance, and political polarization. The information includes easy-to-access recommendations for state leaders.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday, February 16th (1 PM EST), EdWeb is hosting How Schools Can Serve the Whole Child: Aligning Supports to Catalyze Student Success.
Thursday, February 17th - Saturday, February 19th, AASA hosts its 2022 National Conference on Education in Nashville.
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?
Download the AASA mobile app ASAP! It’s a great place to get daily national #edpolicy news!
If you’re reading this, I owe you a big THANK YOU! The Hotlist reached 300 subscribers this week! This is a big deal for my home-grown #eduwonk #momblog. But, that’s not all… I am exploring new ways to get you all your education policy briefing faster. Be on the lookout for new Hotlist options soon.
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.