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

Schools across the country are facing declines in student enrollment.

Research questions the value of having states takeover school districts. 

California launches new apps that provide mental health support for families and youth.

To read more, click on the following links.

Research & Practice

Edweek: How Much High Schoolers Think Their Educators Care About Them
A recent survey conducted by the EdWeek Research Center reveals mixed feedback from high school students regarding their sense of belonging in school. While over half of students feel cared for by adults and accepted in their school community, a concerning portion feel disconnected. Approximately 1 in 5 students report feeling uncared for by adults, and although 86% feel accepted, this drops slightly for non-heterosexual or low-income students. Strong school connections correlate with better attendance, academic performance, and mental health. Strategies to enhance belonging include focusing on freshman year and fostering student involvement in extracurricular activities. The data suggests room for improvement in ensuring all students feel connected and valued in their school communities.
See Also: Sense of Purpose in School and Work Drives Gen Z Happiness, New Gallup Survey Finds

The 74: Interactive: In Many Schools, Declines in Student Enrollment Are Here to Stay
In the 2022-23 academic year, U.S. public schools experienced a significant decline of 1.2 million students in 37 states and two-thirds of districts. Factors contributing to this decline included increased homeschooling, shifts to private schools, demographic changes, and some missing students. Projections suggest an additional loss of 2.4 million students by 2031. Although some factors may improve, such as reduced homeschooling rates, declining birth rates are a major concern for future enrollments. Thirteen states are expected to gain students, but others, like California, face substantial losses. Shrinking student populations mean reduced school budgets, which poses challenges for districts already dealing with fixed costs and pension obligations. Federal relief funds provided temporary support, but districts must now consider downsizing, potentially through school closures or staff layoffs. Overall, districts must prepare for continued enrollment declines and the financial implications they bring.

Science Daily: Intervention based on science of reading, math boosts comprehension, word problem-solving skills
New research from the University of Kansas demonstrates that an intervention combining reading and math strategies significantly enhances math performance for third-grade English learners with math difficulties. The 10-week program, implemented twice weekly for 30 minutes, emphasized comprehension, visualization, and connections between reading and math concepts. The intervention integrates comprehension strategy instruction, including decoding, vocabulary development, and contextualized learning, proven effective for this demographic. The approach incorporates culturally responsive methods, using familiar terms to enhance understanding. Trained tutors delivered the intervention, showing promising results despite individual variations in students’ skills. Researchers advocate for teacher training and professional development to implement these strategies effectively, arguing that they are crucial for future academic success. The study underscores the importance of integrating language and math cognition to improve problem-solving skills.

Policy

EdWeek: State Takeovers of School Districts Still Happen. New Research Questions Their Value
In the American K-12 education system, local control is fundamental, but state takeovers occasionally disrupt this principle. Despite promises of financial improvement, state takeovers often fail to benefit majority-Black districts and show little impact on academic outcomes. Currently, districts in several states, including Houston, are under state control, sparking controversy. Research indicates that takeovers disproportionately affect non-white student populations. While politicians argue for takeovers to rescue struggling districts, emerging evidence suggests a more nuanced view. Recent legislative efforts in Tennessee signal a potential shift away from widespread takeovers, favoring local turnaround plans. Michigan’s experience highlights mixed results from state interventions, prompting some lawmakers to reconsider takeover policies. Alternative measures, such as improvement plans and state-appointed monitors, offer less intrusive ways to support struggling districts without undermining local control.

K-12 Dive: COVID-19 spending extensions so far only include a small share of total funds
Data from the U.S. Department of Education indicates that only a small fraction, around 0.17%, of the $189.5 billion allocated to the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) program has been spent. While the department has approved all spending extension requests so far, the bulk of the spending is anticipated in the final phase of the American Rescue Plan (ARP), totaling $121.9 billion. There are no formal deadlines for extension requests, but districts should aim to submit them in advance. Extensions allow districts more time to spend the funds, with a final deadline of March 30, 2026, for ARP money. The department has approved extensions across various states and territories under CARES, CRRSA, and ARP, with additional requests currently under review.

The 74: When Public Schools Keep Certain Students Out — or Make Them Pay to Attend
In Ohio, EdChoice Scholarships allow students to attend private schools using public funds, while loopholes in open enrollment laws make many top-ranked public schools inaccessible to most students. High home prices in districts like Indian Hill make these schools effectively off-limits to low- and middle-income families. Despite declining enrollment, many districts refuse open enrollment. Some districts charge tuition for non-resident students, operating more like private schools. Tuition rates average about $11,000 per student annually, exceeding private school fees. This situation raises concerns about equity and access to quality education. Without stronger open enrollment laws, students are left with limited options, challenging the democratic ideals of public education.

Around the Nation

EdWeek: Best Practices for Building School-Family Relationships
Schools can enhance student outcomes by fostering trusting relationships with families and involving parents in their children’s learning. Research confirms that such efforts lead to better attendance and improved academic performance, particularly in math. Fortunately, transforming a school’s family engagement approach doesn’t always require additional resources. Instead, it involves shifting educators’ mindsets to prioritize family involvement in student academics. Schools can take simple steps to build strong, enduring relationships with families, as well as more elaborate initiatives tailored to their community’s needs. Effective family engagement is systemic, ensuring everyone in the school prioritizes relationships, accessible to all parents, and customized to the school’s culture. A downloadable guide offers five key strategies for schools to implement, along with additional resources for enhancing family engagement.

The Hechinger Report: As more youth struggle with behavior and traditional supports fall short, clinicians are partnering with lawyers to help
Antonio, a student from Connecticut, suddenly lost interest in everything, including school, prompting concerns about depression. Therapy revealed severe learning difficulties and bullying at school. The Yale Child Study Center intervened, utilizing a unique Medical-Legal Partnership to address his legal rights. Despite existing since the 1990s, this is the first partnership in the U.S. focused solely on children’s behavioral health. Similar partnerships use federal funds to tackle the growing behavioral health struggles exacerbated by the pandemic. These partnerships connect healthcare and legal professionals to advocate for children’s rights, especially in schools. By addressing root causes like inadequate educational support, they aim to improve children’s mental health and prevent students from falling into the school-to-prison pipeline. Despite challenges in scaling up, education and legal advocacy can empower families to navigate complex systems and ensure children receive necessary support, transforming lives and breaking cycles of trauma.

The 74: California Launches New Mental Health-based Apps for Families and Youth
California launched two new mental health apps, BrightLife Kids and Soluna, as part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s Master Plan for Kids’ Mental Health. BrightLife Kids targets children under 13, offering resources for parents and kids to navigate mental health together. Soluna is for teens and young adults up to 25, focusing on topics like body image and anxiety, with exercises like journaling and meditative breathing. Developed to address the state’s mental health crisis, these apps provide early intervention and prevention strategies. They supplement traditional therapy by offering coaching sessions and resources. The release reflects a growing recognition of the ongoing need for mental health support among youth, particularly those from marginalized communities.
See Also: The Good (and the Bad) of Using Apps to Connect With Parents

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