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

Free school meals may reduce childhood obesity.

Homeless infants and toddlers are largely not enrolled in early education programs that could provide benefits.

Vague school rules are at the root of millions of student suspensions.

To read more, click on the following links.

Research & Practice

The New York Times: Why School Absences Have ‘Exploded’ Almost Everywhere
In the aftermath of the pandemic, American education faces a persistent rise in chronic absenteeism, impacting affluent and working-class communities alike. Chronic absenteeism surged from 15% to 26%, affecting districts regardless of size, income, or racial makeup. Even prompt reopenings didn’t avert increases. In Anchorage, affluent families take extended vacations, assuming online schooling suffices. Meanwhile, in Michigan, administrators resort to creative measures to boost attendance. And across the nation, heightened anxiety keeps students home despite reopened schools. The upheaval suggests a lasting shift in school culture. Absenteeism, exacerbated by pandemic-related challenges, disrupts learning and worsens behavioral issues. Efforts to address absenteeism vary, from coaching programs to home visits. Yet, meaningful change remains elusive, as districts struggle to find effective solutions amid the lingering effects of the pandemic.
See Also: Parents are not fully aware of, or concerned about, their children’s school attendance

The 74: Free School Meals May Reduce Child Obesity, Easing Financial, Logistical Strain
Research underscores the crucial role of school meals in child health, especially with evidence indicating that these meals are often more nutritious than home-prepared meals. Following the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act in 2010, school meal quality has steadily improved, with school meals providing the best diet quality by 2017. During the pandemic, universal free school meals were widely implemented but expired by the 2022-23 school year, leading to a rise in schools adopting the Community Eligibility Provision to offer free meals. This provision has been associated with reducing childhood obesity, highlighting its potential impact on public health. While universal free meals can mitigate obesity rates, broader strategies are needed. Several states have initiated their own universal free meal policies, suggesting a growing acknowledgment of the importance of school nutrition in child well-being.

Science Daily: Is it the school, or the students?
A study by MIT scholars challenges the effectiveness of widely used school quality ratings, suggesting they’re heavily influenced by student demographics rather than a school’s impact on learning. Traditional ratings often correlate with race, with white and Asian students tending to attend higher-rated schools. The study, analyzing Denver and New York City districts, proposes a more accurate method adjusting for racial composition to measure a school’s contribution to student learning gains. By mimicking randomized trials through school assignments, researchers found that much of the variation in test scores between schools stems from student demographics rather than school quality. The team advocates for updating rating systems to provide a fairer representation of school quality, aiming to inform policy decisions and improve educational outcomes.

Policy

K-12 Dive: How ESSER propelled improvements at school, district, and state levels
Brookside Primary School in Waterbury, Vermont, used its federal COVID-19 emergency funds to create a kindergarten interventionist position to support teachers, while Henderson Middle School in Jackson, Georgia, focused on enhancing student-staff-family relationships. Indianapolis Public Schools directed funds to tutoring initiatives, yielding academic improvements. These success stories were shared by the Coalition to Advance Future Student Success, comprising education organizations advocating for continued momentum in school improvement efforts funded by the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds. By understanding effective investments, states and districts are trying to sustain progress post-ESSER. Notably, Henderson Middle School’s strategy exemplifies leveraging philanthropic dollars with federal grants, suggesting legislative opportunities for bolstering school resources. Such initiatives align with broader efforts nationwide, as demonstrated by Minnesota’s St. Paul Public Schools and Indianapolis Public Schools’ focus on learning recovery and expanding student opportunities. North Carolina’s targeted ESSER investments, guided by data analysis, illustrate the importance of legislative collaboration and evidence-based funding allocation for sustained educational progress.
See Also: The 6-month countdown to the end of ESSER begins

The 74: Federal-Philanthropic Partnerships are an Untapped Resource for School Funding
Upon joining the nonprofit New Schools for New Orleans (NSNO), former educators worked to leverage federal grants alongside private funds to increase school resources. Despite the complexities of accessing federal grants, NSNO successfully secured a $13 million Teacher and School Leader Incentive Program (TSL) grant, complemented by $900,000 from the Gates Foundation. Using blended funding significantly improved teacher retention and academic performance in participating schools. Additionally, NSNO managed a Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) grant, highlighting the importance of teacher diversity and retention. These funding initiatives, totaling $30 million, underscore the potential for nonprofits to utilize government grants to bolster school resources and drive lasting positive change.

EdSource: Homeless infants and toddlers largely unenrolled in early ed programs
A national report by SchoolHouse Connection and Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan reveals that while early childhood development programs can help mitigate the effects of homelessness among infants and toddlers, only 1 in 9 of these children nationwide are enrolled. In California, the ratio is slightly better at 1 in 6. The report highlights the increasing number of homeless families with young children, exacerbated by the end of pandemic-era eviction protections and policies related to affordable housing. Homelessness often has long-lasting effects on academic development, yet homeless infants and toddlers are significantly under-enrolled in early childhood programs. The report recommends measures such as improving data quality on homeless children accessing child care subsidies and targeting housing vouchers toward families with children experiencing homelessness to address this enrollment gap.

Around the Nation

Brookings: Gentrification’s impact on school demographics: A study of 3 California cities
Gentrification, marked by neighborhood affluence and demographic shifts, sparks debates because while it brings investment, it also displaces low-income residents and alters community dynamics. Scholars now study its impact on schools, where demographic changes occur slowly. In California, gentrification varies in effect on school segregation across cities. While Los Angeles sees increased segregation, Oakland experiences a mixed trend, and San Diego shows stabilization. Charter schools play a role, with gentrified areas hosting more. To address gentrification’s impact, policies must address both housing and education: promoting equitable school access through controlled choice and other programs that are attractive to existing residents, while encouraging diversity in charter schools. Housing policies should focus on affordable housing and preventing resident displacement. Further research is needed to understand how gentrification influences school integration and to inform effective policy responses.

The Hechinger Report: Vague school rules at the root of millions of student suspensions
Students across the United States face suspension for vague and subjective reasons, leading to hundreds of thousands of missed school days each year. Categories like defiance and disorderly conduct are broadly defined in school policy, granting teachers wide discretion in assigning discipline. As a result, infractions such as tardiness, using phones in class, or cursing can lead to suspension. While some policymakers advocate for limiting suspensions to severe misbehavior, others propose stricter discipline policies following worsened student behavior post-pandemic. However, experts argue that increased suspensions, particularly for minor offenses, are not the solution. Alternatives to suspension, such as restorative practices, have shown promise in maintaining academic achievement and attendance. Yet, the implementation of such reforms often lacks adequate training and support for teachers. Balancing the need for discipline with supporting students’ social and emotional well-being remains a challenge for educators and policymakers alike.

See also: The Hechinger Report: Young children misbehave. Some are suspended for acting their age

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