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These are some of the things we’ve been reading about:

Scientists say social/emotion development is crucial for learning.

Later school start times could be good for the economy.

Federal government invests $20 million to support teachers of English Language Learners.

United States’ preschool enrollment lags behind other industrialized nations.

To read more, click on the following links.

Research

Scientists to Schools: Social, Emotional Development Crucial for Learning
Ed Week Rules for Engagement Blog: Schools must broaden their approach beyond a narrow focus on academic work, a group of nationally recognized scientists said in a consensus statement. That’s because students’ social, emotional, and academic development are “deeply intertwined,” and all are central to learning, says the brief. See related article: New America “Why Training Teachers in Social and Emotional Learning is Just as Important as the ABC’s.” 

The Serious and Long-Lasting Impact of Disaster on Schoolchildren
The Washington Post Answer Sheet Blog: Children caught in natural or man-made disasters can suffer from trauma and bereavement far longer than adults realize, and this can affect not only how well they perform at school but also the trajectory of their lives, researchers have said. See related articles: Education Week “Children’s Trauma Lasts Long After Disasters, Studies Show” and NPR Ed Blog “Houston Students Are Heading Back — What They Find Could Change Schools Nationwide.” 

Schools Around the US Are Finally Pushing Back Their Start Times — And It’s Working
Business Insider: Schools in 45 states have pushed their start times back to fall in line with research that looks at the biological clock of adolescents. Recent research published by the RAND Corporation and RAND Europe found 8:30 a.m. start times could add $83 billion to the US economy over the next 10 years.

Poor Health Habits Add Up to Poor Grades for Teens
Health Day: American high school students with poor grades are much more likely to have unhealthy behaviors – including illegal drug use – than teens at the top of the class, according to a new U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey.

Policy

U.S. Department of Education Awards $20 Million to Support Educators of English Learner Students
U.S. Department of Education: The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of English Language Acquisition announced the awarding of $20 million in grants under the National Professional Development Program to support educators of English learner students. See related article: Ed Week Learning the Language Blog “Will Your State’s ESSA Plan Work for English-Language Learners?” 

Will the Trump Era Transform the School Lunch?
The New York Times: School-food leaders on both sides of the political spectrum say the Trump administration’s efforts are unlikely to affect what they agree is a powerful and well-established movement to improve school lunches. Since the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act took effect in 2010, most of the key players have bought in: food producers, schools and even the children.

Around the Nation

Data Snapshot: 2016 Child Poverty Rate Sees Largest Decline Since Before Great Recession
Carsey School of Public Policy: Child poverty declined by 1.2 percentage points between 2015 and 2016, according to analyses of the official poverty measure in the latest American Community Survey. By 2016, child poverty across the nation was still 1.5 percentage points higher than before the Great Recession. See related article: Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity “Poverty Day 2017.” 

U.S. Trails Other Industrialized Nations When It Comes to Preschool, Study Finds
Ed Week Early Years Blog: The United States lags behind other industrialized nations when it comes to enrolling children in preschool, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The OECD’s annual “Education at a Glance” report finds that in 2015 just 43% of 3-year-olds in the U.S. were enrolled in preschool. The average enrollment for other countries was 73%.

Parents Prefer Good Neighborhood Schools Over More Choice, Poll Finds
Ed Week Teacher Beat Blog: Most parents like their public school and want to support teachers, whom they trust more than anyone else to make choices for education, a new poll by the American Federation of Teachers found. School choice initiatives ranked low on parents’ priorities. The national poll surveyed 1,200 parents of public school students in 10 major cities.

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