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Here are some of the things we’ve been reading about this week:
Research highlights importance of recess for child development, yet inequities in access persist.
Plans to move federal special education oversight to HHS sparks debate.
New York City’s child care voucher program risks collapse without urgent funding, threatening thousands of low-income families.
Research & Practice
The 74: New Survey Finds Medicaid Cuts Would Devastate School Staffing and Services
School leaders are raising concerns about potential Medicaid cuts, which could significantly impact K-12 education. Medicaid provides $7.5 billion annually for school-based health and mental health services, covering about 40% of U.S. children. Cuts would shift costs to states, with implications for school budgets essential services for students with physical and mental health conditions. A survey of 1,440 school administrators found that 80% expect staff layoffs, including health personnel, while 70% foresee cuts to mental health services and 62% anticipate reduced resources for students with disabilities. Additionally, 90% predict broader budget reductions that could weaken overall student support. Respondents warn that these cuts would harm academic outcomes, increase staff burnout, and limit access to care. Since 1988, Medicaid has funded essential school health services. Advocates stress that preserving Medicaid is vital to student success and long-term well-being.
EdWeek: Research Says Recess Is Important. What Stands in the Way?
Research finds that recess is essential for children’s development, fostering communication, leadership, and well-being. However, many schools face inequities in playground access, green spaces, and recess policies. Some states allow withholding recess as punishment, disproportionately impacting students with disabilities and students of color. Efforts in Minnesota led to a law prohibiting this practice. A high school student’s letter about never experiencing a playground swing as a wheelchair user inspired Uxbridge, Mass., educators to prioritize accessibility in a playground redesign. Involving third graders in equipment selection, the district ensured inclusive play spaces for all students. But financial barriers also limit schools’ ability to improve outdoor play areas, particularly in underfunded districts. With rising temperatures, shaded spaces are increasingly necessary, yet many schools lack them. Advocates stress that play at recess promotes academic success, behavior regulation, and student engagement.
Science Daily: A simple way to boost math progress
A study led by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s Behavior Change for Good Initiative found that behaviorally informed email messages slightly improved students’ math progress. Conducted with Zearn Math, the large-scale study involved over 140,000 teachers and nearly 3 million students, testing 15 interventions against standard email reminders. The most effective intervention, boosting math progress by 5.06%, encouraged teachers to log in for personalized student reports. Personalized nudges were more impactful than generic messages, reinforcing the idea that teacher engagement supports student success. While the effects were small, researchers suggest more intensive support is needed and advocate for further studies on long-term impacts. Future research will explore why certain interventions work better and how behavioral insights can shape education policies.
Policy
EdWeek: Trump Admin. Cuts Library Funding. What It Means for Students
A recent executive order from the Trump administration mandates the reduction of seven agencies, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which funds libraries nationwide. Advocacy groups, including the American Library Association, warn this move threatens literacy programs, internet access, and student resources, particularly in underfunded communities. IMLS, established in 1966, funds 125,000 libraries, with a 2024 budget of $266.7 million—or 0.003% of federal spending. While some argue the order targets only discretionary programs, uncertainty remains. State libraries, which rely on IMLS funding for interlibrary loans and rural access, may experience service disruptions. The order does not shut down IMLS but could severely limit its operations, jeopardizing programs like the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program. Critics supporting the executive order cite IMLS’s role in funding diversity initiatives. Advocates stress the importance of continued funding to sustain library services.
K-12 Dive: Trump says special education oversight will move to HHS
President Trump announced plans to move federal special education oversight from the U.S. Department of Education to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), citing the need for reform and reduced bureaucracy. He also proposed transferring student loan and school nutrition programs to the Small Business Administration. While HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. expressed readiness for the transition, critics argue that shifting oversight of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) could undermine its educational focus. Opponents, including the Council for Exceptional Children and the National Parents Union, warn that the move may weaken protections and support for students with disabilities. The announcement follows Trump’s executive order to close the Education Department “to the maximum extent appropriate.”
Around the Nation
The 74: Program Looks to Support High-Schoolers Responsible for Caregiving at Home
The Young, Gifted and Caregiving program at Charles Drew High School in Riverdale, Georgia, supports teenage caregivers who balance family responsibilities with self-care. Research suggests young caregivers face heightened risks of anxiety, depression, and school dropout. Many students have spent years tending to ill relatives, often sacrificing their own well-being.
Led by Michelle Bolden, founder of Call for Caring Inc., the program provides education on caregiving, CPR, chronic disease management, and mental health support. Through weekly sessions and guest speakers, the initiative helps teens manage their roles while planning for their futures. Participants have found solace in the community it fosters. Bolden plans to expand the program to other schools, ensuring continued support for adolescent caregivers as they navigate both their present challenges and future ambitions.
EdWeek: Idaho Can Restrict Transgender Students’ Restroom Use, Appeals Court Rules
A federal appeals court upheld Idaho’s law requiring public school students to use restrooms and changing facilities matching their “biological sex,” ruling it likely does not violate the 14th Amendment or Title IX. The 9th Circuit Court found that the state’s privacy and safety justifications met the required level of judicial scrutiny. The ruling contrasts with a previous decision by another panel of the same court that blocked Idaho’s ban on transgender athletes in women’s sports. This decision adds to the national debate over transgender rights in schools, with conflicting interpretations of Title IX from the Biden and Trump administrations. Idaho is among at least 11 states with similar restroom laws, and the case could have broader implications for transgender student protections nationwide.
New York Times: A ‘Life-Changing’ Child Care Program in New York Could Soon Collapse
New York City’s child care voucher program, which helps over 60,000 low-income families, faces a funding crisis unless state lawmakers provide an additional $1 billion before the April 1 budget deadline. The shortfall is due to rising child care costs and the rollback of COVID-era policies that had expanded eligibility. Without funding, thousands of families could lose their vouchers each month, forcing parents to choose between work and child care. The average cost of daycare in NYC has surged to $26,000 annually, making it unaffordable for most families. The crisis highlights the broader challenge of ensuring affordable child care access in one of the nation’s most expensive cities.
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