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Study finds socioeconomic status associated with increased childhood asthma risk in European populations.
Texas passes $8.5B education bill expanding funding for school operations, safety, and special education.
NY school district engages families to understand root causes of student absenteeism.
Research & Practice
Psychological Bulletin: Electronic Screen Use and Children’s Socioemotional Problems
Researchers examined the association between socioemotional problems and screen use. Analyzing 132 previous studies, the research reveals a reciprocal relationship between the two: high screen usage negatively affects children’s well-being, and children with low well-being tend to rely on screens. Older children were more likely to develop socioemotional problems from screen usage compared to younger children. Girls were more likely to be impacted by screen use, while boys who faced socioemotional challenges were more likely to use screens as a coping mechanism. Gaming, compared to other types of screen use, had the most detrimental impact on children’s socioemotional health. The research also indicates that not all screen usage is harmful; children who had limited screen time, between 10 and 30 minutes a day, did not have increased socioemotional problems. The findings emphasize the importance of limiting screen time for children as well as focusing on the content and quality of what youth are consuming.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: Understanding Social Inequalities in Childhood Asthma
Asthma is the most common long-term illness in children. Although the causes of asthma are not fully understood, researchers believe they are due to environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors. The research examined the impact of socioeconomic factors on children’s likelihood of developing asthma by age seven. They analyzed 100,000 mother-child pairs from several European countries. Children whose mothers had low rates of education had a 17% increased chance of developing asthma. Additionally, mothers who smoked during birth and breastfed for a short duration were more likely to have children with asthma, although this differed between countries. The findings suggest children from disadvantaged backgrounds are at an increased risk of asthma due in part to family habits, though this is not the only cause. The study shares the importance of providing education and community resources for families to improve health outcomes for parents and children.
Policy
Texas Tribune: Gov. Greg Abbott Signs $8.5 Billion Public Education Funding Plan into Law.
Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill for Texas public schools, which will increase funding for school operations, special education, early childhood programs, safety initiatives, and educator training and pay. The bill is the largest one-time investment in public education, and most requirements will go into effect on September 1st. The new bill requires schools to receive money for special education students based on their individual needs, rather than by classroom. It also requires younger students to take screening tests to ensure they are on grade level for math and reading. Only teachers with formal classroom training will be allowed to teach core subjects, and teachers who continue their education will receive incentives. Many community members applaud the new funding efforts, while also asserting that the money is insufficient to cover high inflation rates and cannot be used for all educational needs.
Education Week: No More Fresh Fruits and Veggies: Schools Grapple With Loss of Federal Funding
The Trump administration cancelled the Local Food for Schools program, which provides funding for schools to buy local produce from small farms. Introduced by President Biden in 2021, the $660 million program enabled schools to incorporate fresh produce into lunches and provide options for families to cook at home, thereby lowering grocery costs and increasing healthy food consumption. Students who received food from the program recognized the difference in food quality and enjoyed trying new fruits and vegetables. The program also gave money to farmers to increase their capacity to grow specific types of food for schools in large quantities. The initiative is costly; for example, school districts pay twice or three times the price for locally sourced cucumbers. However, advocates for the program emphasize the importance of locally sourced foods for both parents and students. School cafeteria workers are working to find replacement funding and continue to engage with local farmers.
Washington Post: As Students Have Greater Health Needs, School Nurses Are in Short Supply
As student health needs grow—ranging from chronic illnesses like diabetes and asthma to behavioral and developmental conditions—school nurses are increasingly vital. Yet a national shortage has left about a third of public schools without a full-time nurse. Prince George’s County, Maryland, has managed to staff every school with at least one registered nurse by raising salaries and improving working conditions. In contrast, Washington, D.C. faces uncertainty as Children’s National Hospital ends its $25 million contract to manage school nurses, prompting a transition to city oversight. The current “cluster model,” which assigns one nurse to multiple schools, remains in place, raising concerns about the adequacy of care. School nurses juggle complex tasks: case management, emergency preparedness, administering medications, and supporting students’ education plans. Their caseloads have grown as medical advancements and inclusive policies bring more high-needs students into schools. Still, many schools remain committed to balancing urgent health care needs with keeping kids in class and ready to learn.
Around the Nation
Education Week: What School Leaders Learned When They Talked to Families About Absenteeism
Administrations in New York’s Hudson City surveyed families to understand why students were missing school. The district participated in an “intensive engagement process” to solicit feedback and encourage the community to feel ownership around school attendance. Through conversations with families, the school learned that many absences were due to parental choices and concerns. For example, families would take their children to celebrate after a school event and not return to class. Other parents misunderstood the school bus schedule or were unwilling to send their children to school in the rain in case they got sick. Research indicates that chronic absences impact students’ academic abilities, graduation rates, and social connection to peers and the school. To mitigate this, the district created “family success plans” as a supportive way to initiate conversations with families to understand how they can help students attend school more.
K-12 Dive: Elementary School Bocce Team Wins More than Medals in Special Olympics Competition
Elementary schoolers across Washington D.C. competed in the Special Olympics Unified Bocce Championship. Barnard Elementary School teams won first and second place against seven other schools. Special education students make up 18% of the school’s student body, and 20 students with and without disabilities participated on the team. The Special Olympics head coach shared that the team’s goal is to increase inclusivity, build students’ knowledge about acceptance, and develop camaraderie. Students were excited to try a new sport and make new friends. Bocce was also incorporated into the school’s P.E. curriculum this year because it does not rely on strength or speed, making it an accessible sport. The program manager for Special Olympics in Washington shared about the importance of youth leadership and how it develops students into strong community makers: “It’s more than just sports.”
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