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Here are some of the things we’ve been reading about this week:
Schools use teletherapy to close the counseling gap.
2022 data shows that U.S. families have insufficient access to affordable, high-quality child care and early learning programs.
Stanford University’s Hoover Institution cites City Connects as an example of a program that provides evidence-based student support.
To read more, click on the following links.
Research & Practice
Science Direct: Participant Perspectives on the Impact of a School-Based, Experiential Food Education Program Across Childhood, Adolescence, and Young Adulthood
Experiential food education programs, such as gardening and cooking lessons, have shown a lasting positive impact on children’s food decisions as they grow older, according to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. The research focused on the FRESHFARM FoodPrints food education program, embedded in over 20 elementary schools. The study explored the experiences of current and alumni participants, with findings revealing immediate benefits such as enjoyment of food experiences and hands-on learning. Beyond the classroom, the programs influenced individual and family food choices, increased student involvement in family food practices, and fostered an interest in fresh food options at school. The sustained benefits included an appreciation for fresh food, openness to trying new foods, and confidence in making food decisions. The study emphasizes the importance of investing in experiential food education in elementary school for long-term healthy dietary behaviors.
EdWeek: Four Pillars of Effective Teletherapy in Schools: A Downloadable Guide
Teletherapy has become a valuable solution for schools facing challenges in hiring and retaining mental health professionals. Many remote school districts struggle to meet the recommended ratio of school psychologists to students, with 8 percent achieving the ideal ratio, and 12 percent lacking psychologists entirely. To address this gap, schools are partnering with teletherapy platforms to provide on-site and hybrid teletherapy experiences for students. These platforms offer access to a more diverse range of professionals, including psychologists and occupational therapists, reflecting the gender and racial diversity of the student body. Establishing an effective teletherapy model requires key elements, and insights from school leaders, mental health experts, and teletherapy service providers have been compiled into a downloadable resource to guide schools in implementing successful teletherapy programs.
The Hechinger Report: PROOF POINTS: Four lessons from post-pandemic tutoring research
Post-pandemic research highlights the effectiveness of intensive daily tutoring for academically struggling students. However, this same research reveals several challenges and lessons. Scheduling tutoring within school hours is difficult due to packed schedules, leading many schools to opt for after-school programs. The hiring dilemma is also a significant hurdle, with the demand for tutors surpassing supply. While tutoring companies are thriving, some school districts face issues related to curriculum alignment and tutor turnover. Online video tutoring has gained popularity, addressing logistical challenges but raising questions about student motivation. The cost of tutoring is a concern, prompting research into hybrid models combining human tutoring with online practice to reduce expenses.
Policy
EdWeek: What 2024 Will Bring for K-12 Policy: 5 Issues to Watch
In 2024, education policy debates are anticipated to focus on issues such as private school choice, teacher pay raises, artificial intelligence (AI), and reevaluating measures of student success. Private school choice, especially universal education savings accounts (ESAs), gained momentum in 2023, but challenges and debates, including concerns about funding and program effectiveness, are expected to persist. Teacher pay will likely remain a priority, with bipartisan support in various states, although federal momentum is uncertain. The introduction of AI, exemplified by ChatGPT, prompts legislative efforts like the “Artificial Intelligence Literacy Act” to address AI literacy in schools. Discussions around curriculum and policies related to gender identity, sexuality, and race may ease in focus, while rethinking measures of student success may continue, with states adopting graduate profiles and exploring competency-based learning. See Also: 2023 in School Finance: Legal Fights, School Choice Debates, Persistent Inequities
K-12 Dive: By The Numbers: Economic trends in child care and early learning
The Center for American Progress released an interactive dashboard and report highlighting key national trends in child care and early learning. The data, primarily from 2022, emphasize the insufficient access to affordable and high-quality child care and early learning opportunities for many U.S. families, with a disproportionate burden on low-income households. Over 14.4 million children under age 6 (67.8%) have all available parents in the workforce. The report also notes that 2.7 million parents made job changes due to child care issues, with an average annual infant child care tuition of $13,167 in 2022. As of October 2023, there were 38,200 fewer employees in child care services compared to February 2020. This report emphasized the need for large-scale public investments in a child care system that meets the diverse needs of families and ensures fair compensation for early childhood educators.
Around the Nation
The Hechinger Report: The mental health needs of Black and Hispanic girls often go unmet. This group wraps them in support
The Working on Womanhood (WOW) program, initiated in 2011 by Black and Hispanic social workers at Youth Guidance, aims to address mental health needs among underserved Black and Hispanic girls in grades 6 to 12. Operating in Waukegan, Illinois, and other districts nationwide, WOW provides individual and group therapy to about 350 students. A University of Chicago study revealed that WOW significantly reduced PTSD symptoms (22%) among Chicago Public Schools participants, along with decreased anxiety and depression. The program addresses trauma exposure, helping girls navigate personal challenges, and fosters a sense of belonging, particularly in school settings where traditional mental health services may be scarce. Despite challenges like counselor burnout and funding, WOW’s effectiveness highlights the promise of school-based, culturally responsive mental health support for students of color.
EdWeek: Experts Recommend Mental Health Screenings for Students. Most Schools Aren’t Doing Them
A recent survey by the EdWeek Research Center indicates that while youth mental health has become a priority, most U.S. districts are not implementing universal mental health screenings for students. Despite recommendations from organizations like the National Association of School Psychologists, only 22% of respondents reported that their districts conduct screenings in certain grade levels, while 10% perform screenings in every grade. Parental consent, resource concerns, and opposition from parents’ rights advocates pose barriers to implementing screening programs. However, proponents argue that screenings, which ask students about emotions and feelings, help identify signs of mental health challenges. Notably, only three states—Colorado, Illinois, and New Jersey—have laws funding and supporting school mental health screenings.
The 74: 40 Years After ‘A Nation at Risk,’ Assessing the Impact of Whole-Child Reforms on America’s Schools
Stanford University’s Hoover Institution marked the 40th anniversary of the ‘A Nation At Risk’ report by examining the impact of 40 years of education reform. A Survey of Whole-Child School Reforms in The Hoover Institution’s A Nation At Risk +40 explores the expansion of whole-child education models beyond traditional academics, emphasizing their popularity and the potential impact on student well-being. It reviews examples such as community schools, health centers, wraparound services, and social-emotional learning. Despite some proven effectiveness in specific settings, there’s a lack of conclusive evidence at scale that uses high-quality research methods to support these models as a comprehensive solution to academic challenges. It notes that one of the most promising evidence-based approaches to “wraparound” is City Connects. The piece explores the historical roots of whole-child reforms and the ongoing debate about schools’ roles in addressing societal issues. The report concludes with recommendations for policymakers to carefully consider as they implement these models, and it highlights the need for simultaneous attention to academic reforms.
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