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Here are some of the things we’ve been reading about this week:

Racial segregation in U.S. classrooms has increased over the last 30 years. 

Managing cell phone use in middle schools. 

New York City schools can donate unused packaged food to fight hunger.

To read more, click on the following links.

Research & Practice

K-12 Dive: Schools face diminished capacity to meet student mental health needs
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, only 48% of schools can effectively provide mental health services to all students in need, down from 58% in 2021-22. Over half of public schools report that staffing (55%) and funding (54%) limitations hinder their ability to support students’ mental health. Additionally, many schools expect increased teacher and staff vacancies for the next school year. The data, based on a March 2024 survey of 1,683 public schools, highlights concerns as federal emergency relief funds wind down. Schools may cut budgets and lay off staff, despite growing mental health needs. Currently, 97% of schools offer some mental health services, primarily individual-based interventions. Access remains particularly challenging for marginalized groups. However, efforts to address these issues have been noted as encouraging by experts.

EdWeek: Want to Boost Students’ Focus During Tests? Check the Time of Day
Testing performance is influenced by factors beyond content knowledge, such as illness, weariness, anxiety, and boredom. A new study suggests that test timing significantly affects student performance. Formative assessments, more crucial for guiding instruction than high-stakes tests, are best conducted in the morning. Research by Megan Kuhfeld and the testing organization NWEA found students guessed less on questions when tested early. For instance, 7 a.m. math test takers guessed on less than 3% of questions, while 1 p.m. test takers guessed on 8.5%. The study, tracking over half a million tests from grades 2-8, showed performance dropped by 3% in math and 4% in reading over the test duration, with disengagement rising in the afternoon. Younger students and those with lower achievement levels were more affected. To improve focus, brief cognitive breaks could help when afternoon testing is unavoidable.

The 74: Schools are More Segregated than 30 Years Ago. But How Much?
Racial segregation in U.S. classrooms has increased over the past three decades, particularly due to the expansion of school choice and the end of court-mandated desegregation, according to sociologists Ann Owens and Sean Reardon. Their research, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, shows segregation peaked in the 1980s but has risen since the 1990s. The study found charter schools contributed to this isolation. However, segregation levels today remain significantly lower than pre-Brown. The researchers emphasize that changing demographics and the decrease in white student populations complicate the analysis of segregation trends. The findings were presented at Stanford University, along with a new data tool, Segregation Explorer, to study these patterns.

Policy

The Hechinger Report: Congress hasn’t helped families with day care costs. So states are stepping in
Child care in the U.S. is expensive and scarce for families, and it’s financially unstable for providers. States have stepped in with solutions as federal pandemic relief ends. New Mexico uses petroleum revenue, Washington taxes investment profits, and Kentucky incentivizes parents to work in child care. These measures aim to make child care affordable or free and sustainable. For instance, New Mexico’s initiative funds early education, benefiting families like Marisshia Sigala’s, who can now afford child care and work full-time. Washington offers free preschool and childcare vouchers for low-income families. Kentucky’s program provides free or reduced-cost child care for workers in the industry, helping parents and addressing staffing shortages. These efforts are crucial for economic stability and child development, but challenges remain, such as maintaining funding and scaling successful programs.

EdWeek: Cellphone Headaches in Middle Schools: Why Policies Aren’t Enough
Middle school students face heightened risks from cellphone use, including cyberbullying and addiction. Although 77% of K-12 schools prohibit nonacademic cellphone use, some educators integrate them into lessons. Experts emphasize the need for comprehensive digital citizenship education, yet many schools lack consistent curricula. During adolescence, the desire for peer approval makes students vulnerable to social media’s negative effects. Continuous online presence exacerbates traditional issues like bullying, as well as new threats from online predators. Experts advocate for cellphone bans during school hours to reduce distractions and promote student independence. Effective cellphone policies should be part of a broader digital education strategy that includes teaching students about social media’s addictive design and its emotional impact. Comprehensive K-12 health curricula can help to address these issues consistently, allowing schools to manage the negative effects of social media on students’ well-being.
See Also: One School Leader Banned Cellphones, the Other Embraced Them. What Worked?

Brookings: Key takeaways on reducing intergenerational poverty
Approximately 10 million U.S. children live in poverty, impacting their health and future economic mobility. The Center for Economic Security and Opportunity at Brookings held a briefing on a National Academies report focused on reducing intergenerational poverty. Researchers emphasized the report points to interventions that could lower future poverty rates. Key recommendations include increased funding for poor school districts, enhanced post-secondary financial aid, and support for the earned income tax credit, which boosts employment and benefits children. Other scholars highlighted racial disparities, noting Black and Native American children face higher poverty risks and adverse conditions. Limitations of this report include the omission of early childhood education due to difficulties in measuring long-term outcomes.

Around the Nation

The 74: Kentucky Launches Mental Health Wellness Course in Schools with Anthem Medicaid
Anthem Medicaid has launched a free digital mental wellness course for 1,512 students in 17 Kentucky schools. This initiative, announced during Mental Health Awareness Month, targets students in grades 8-10. Designed by EVERFI from Blackbaud, the “Understanding Mental Wellness” program includes six 15-minute interactive lessons. The course aims to foster awareness and empathy, reduce stigma, and provide education about mental health conditions. Students learn to explore their own mental health, identify challenges, and develop strategies to manage them, as well as how to support peers. This effort addresses worsening adolescent mental health, with Centers for Disease Control data showing increased sadness and hopelessness, especially among teen girls, since the onset of COVID-19. Anthem Medicaid’s president emphasized the program’s potential long-term positive impact on students’ lives.

Chalkbeat: NYC schools can now donate cafeteria food to fight hunger and reduce waste. Here’s how.
New York City’s Education Department has launched a program for schools to donate unused packaged food to local food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters. This initiative, developed over two years, addresses childhood hunger, especially as pandemic-era benefits are ending. Schools can opt-in, with about 400 school food managers trained on setup procedures. The Office of Food and Nutrition Services supports schools in establishing donation protocols, while school administrations manage local donations. The program responds to a significant rise in food pantry visits by children and families and impending cuts to emergency food program funding. Students, advocates, and officials have long pushed for such initiatives to reduce food waste and support hungry New Yorkers. The program’s success will be tracked by participation rates. This effort highlights the importance of community support and environmental sustainability.

EdWeek: Massages, Mammograms, and Dental Care: How One School Saves Teachers’ Time
Teachers in the U.S. face significant workloads, with long hours and limited flexibility, which leads to stress and potential health issues. However, some schools, like Atlanta’s Lovett School, are prioritizing teacher well-being to mitigate these challenges. By offering benefits such as on-site massages, wellness classes, and convenient medical services, Lovett aims to save teachers time and support their health needs. Employee feedback informs these initiatives, emphasizing the importance of tailoring benefits to teachers’ specific needs. While investing in such perks may seem costly, the long-term benefits, including improved teacher health and performance, suggest they are worthwhile investments for schools and students. Prioritizing teacher well-being not only supports educators but also positively impacts academic and social-emotional outcomes for students.

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