The Weekly Connect 02/09/2026

Frontiers in Psychology: The Impact of Peer Effects on Adolescents’ Physical Exercise: A Meta-Synthesis Study
Researchers analyzed qualitative and mixed-method studies on the impact of peer effects on adolescents’ physical exercise. Through a review of 28 articles, the studies were synthesized into four themes: peer support and interaction; behavioral modeling and atmosphere; intrinsic motivation and identity; and educational interventions and risk management. The study found that adolescents who feel supported by their peers are more likely to learn skills from them and have more intrinsic motivation to engage in physical exercise. A culture that emphasizes effort, improvement, and cooperation will create healthy interests in physical activity, while a culture of competition and comparison will make adolescents less motivated. These negative experiences can also lead to increased risk of anxiety and marginalization for participants. The research indicates that adolescents should experience physical activity that is centered around cooperative models of peer learning, and coaches should employ strategies to improve adolescent relationships. 

The New York Times: Why Boys Are Behind in Reading at Every Age
Across the United States, reading abilities and test scores have declined for all students. However, boys have been increasingly affected; their scores are lower than girls in nearly every school district and at every grade level when tests are given. Boys are three-quarters of a year behind girls in reading in fourth grade, and around a year behind in twelfth grade. While these disparities are not new, little attention has been given to improving boys’ reading skills in recent years. Several factors contribute to this widening gender gap, including girls developing language skills earlier and boys having higher rates of reading disabilities. Boys are also more likely to have lower self-confidence in reading, while girls are more likely to share that they enjoy reading. Researchers suggest strategies to improve boys’ reading abilities through early-intervention programs, small group instruction, and further exposure to male role models who enjoy reading.

K-12 Dive: Trump Signs $79B Education Funding Bill Into Law
The U.S. Department of Education is now funded through September 30, 2026. The budget passed at $79 billion, which is $217 million more than this past year’s budget. Along with funding for several other departments, the bill won approval from the House at a vote of 217-214. The bill stipulates that the Education Department can move program responsibilities to other federal agencies, but they are required to provide Congress with biweekly reports on the status of interagency agreements. The bill also requires grant funding to be given to states and districts on time and for the amount Congress dictated in the funding bill. The Education Department staff must fulfill all responsibilities through the successful carrying out of programs and activities. Education leaders praised the legislation as it ensures that students can continue to receive important resources that the department provides, such as mental health supports, special education services, and programs for under-resourced communities. 

AP News: Your Baby Could Qualify for $1,000 With a Trump Account. Here’s What to Know
The Trump Administration created the Trump Accounts program, which gives $1,000 to parents of babies born between 2025 and 2028. The money is invested in the stock market, and the child can access the money when they turn 18. The recipient can only use the money for specific purposes, such as paying tuition or making a down payment on a house. The goal of the program is to provide children “with real assets and a shot at financial freedom,” as well as to give low-income children the opportunity to learn more and benefit from the stock market. Other states have piloted “baby bonds” programs that provide similar opportunities for infants and families, typically for low-income families. Opponents of the program assert that families would benefit more from the money now and that it will only widen wealth disparity across the country. Families can opt into the program and open accounts starting in July 2026.

The New York Times: How Mississippi Transformed Its Schools From Worst to Best
In 2013, Mississippi ranked 49th in the country on national tests. Now, the state is in the top 10 for fourth-grade reading ability. To improve their ranking, the state embraced the science of reading and changed academic policies. Each school now receives a letter grade from A to F, and schools get credit if students show academic improvement. The Mississippi Department of Education brings coaches into low-performing elementary schools to improve teaching practice and also vets and approves curriculum across the state. The state holds back third graders who do not pass academic tests, which is a controversial policy for families and educators. Hazlehurst Elementary, a rural school with high rates of poverty, has a literacy coach, and students learn to read up to two hours each day. Students who are struggling receive reading intervention support at an early age. On the third graders’ test day, parents will line the hallways with pompoms to cheer the test takers on. 

Chalkbeat: Chess Tournament Gives Philadelphia Kids a Haven From Gun Violence
150 students participated in a chess tournament in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with the event’s goal to protect children from gun violence and teach them critical thinking skills. The program is the PECO-ASAP Checkmate Violence Tournament, hosted by the After School Activities Partnership. In Philadelphia, 10% of last year’s shooting victims were children, and many shootings take place after school hours. The event began in 2008 and hosts participants from kindergarten to twelfth grade. The After School Activities Partnership also provides opportunities for youth to engage in theater, debate clubs, and Scrabble. Chess has many known benefits, such as supporting violence prevention efforts and improving math and general cognitive ability. One site director who supports students in a neighborhood hit hard by the opioid crisis shares, “We’re just a club, but it kind of becomes an extended family. I really enjoy that they have that escape. Because people find negative escapes, but this is a positive.”