Here’s the new edition of The Weekly Connect. Check it out and sign up to have it delivered to your inbox!

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

Black and Latino students face gaps in STEM access, certified teachers, and counselors.

Trump’s orders on gender identity and immigration reshape school protections.

Detroit public schools’ gift card program boosts attendance but sparks root-cause debate.

To read more, click on the following links.

Research & Practice

K-12 Dive: Restraint and seclusion harmful to students, Education Department warns
The U.S. Department of Education published a letter to schools highlighting the risks of restraint and seclusion disciplinary practices, such as physical injuries and emotional trauma. In 2020-21, over 50,000 students in public schools experienced such interventions, disproportionately impacting Black students, boys, and students with disabilities. The letter urged schools to replace these practices with proactive, evidence-based approaches like multi-tiered systems of support. Authors emphasized that fostering inclusion, safety, and belonging coupled with providing educators with tools to holistically support students reflects a trauma-informed lens to disciplinary practices.

Science Daily: Violence on TV: What happens to children who watch?
A study from the University of Montreal identified a correlation between early exposure to violent media and increased antisocial behavior in adolescent boys. Utilizing data from the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development, researchers analyzed violent content exposure between the ages of 3.5-4.5 and self-reported antisocial behavior at age 15 in roughly 2,000 children. For these boys, early exposure to physical, verbal, or relational violence on screen predicted behaviors such as physical aggression, theft, and threats in adolescence. No significant effects were observed in girls. Researchers emphasized the long-term consequences of violent media and urged public health officials to prioritize parental and community education on this issue. Additionally, they recommended limiting children’s exposure to potentially violent content to mitigate future behavioral risks.

EdWeek: What the Latest Civil Rights Data Show About Racial Disparities in Schools
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights released new data highlighting persistent racial and ethnic disparities in education. Black and Latino students are less likely to access advanced STEM courses, certified teachers, or in-school counselors. Predominately Black and Latino schools are less likely to offer calculus compared to schools with lower enrollment of these groups. Approximately 44 percent of schools had a employed security staff like School Resource Officer or security guard, while 12 percent of these schools lacked a school counselor. The report underscores the need for data-informed policies to address inequities and expand access to opportunities to improve educational and personal success for all students.

Policy

The 74: Many Schools Used COVID Aid on Curriculum and Buildings, Feds Say
A federal report reveals how schools utilized the $129 billion in federal COVID-19 aid to address both pandemic-related needs and longstanding issues, including curriculum updates, infrastructure improvements, and staffing increases. In the 2022-23 school year, schools spent $49 billion, with half going into staff salaries and benefits, including hiring social workers and school nurses. Around $6 billion funded building repairs, and $11 billion targeted learning loss, primarily through new curricula and classroom materials. Schools now face tough decisions about funding ongoing programs and staff, particularly as enrollment declines. Federal leaders emphasize the need for states to maintain education funding and to continue focusing on academic recovery post-pandemic and equity across districts.

NPR: Trump administration strips schools, churches of immigration enforcement protections
The Trump administration has rescinded guidance from the Biden administration designating schools, churches, and healthcare facilities as “protected areas” from immigration enforcement operations. This means that immigration authorities can now enter these places and arrest those suspected of committing crimes. Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, indicated that immigrants without criminal records may also be detained by immigration officials during efforts to secure individuals with criminal records, but did not specify where and how this would take place. These directives impact school policy and do not provide clear information on the role of school officials in ICE investigations.

Chalkbeat: Trump executive orders on immigrants, transgender rights could echo in American schools
On Inauguration Day, President Trump signed executive orders to roll back protections for transgender individuals and immigrants. The president reversed expansions to Title IX protections to include gender identity and sexual orientation. The order limits federal recognition to two genders– male and female– and rescinded numerous efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). This move impacts transgender students, including their ability to play on sports teams aligned with their gender identity. Additionally, efforts to increase immigration enforcement near schools, leading schools to respond with messages of support for immigrant families and reviving their policies for handling immigration agents. These actions have sparked legal challenges, and his executive orders could significantly affect education and federal programs.
See Also: Trump Puts Use of TikTok Back in Play. What This Means for Educators

Around the Nation

Chalkbeat: Detroit district’s new attendance incentive draws more students to class
Detroit Public Schools Community District has launched an attendance initiative offering students and their family a $200 gift card for every two weeks of perfect attendance, with the potential to earn up to $1,000 through March. The district reports that 1,800 more students achieved perfect attendance since the winter break compared to last year, suggesting that the incentive is working. The program aims to address chronic absenteeism which affected 66% of students in the 2023-24 school year. It complements new attendance policies that may require students to repeat grades or take additional classes if they miss significant amounts of school. Critics question whether financial incentives address root cause contributions to chronic absenteeism, such as poverty which impacts the ability to attend school.

EdWeek: Are Today’s Students Really Less Independent Than Previous Generations?
Many educators report that their students seem “less independent” in learning, decision-making, and self-advocacy than a decade ago. This trend is linked to increased reliance on technology, reduced unstructured play, and parental over-involvement, all further exacerbated by the pandemic. Teachers report that students often fail to recognize when they need help and rarely take initiative to address academic struggles. Social-emotional development programs, though historically targeted for younger students, are increasingly seen as vital for fostering independence in middle and high school students. Experts suggest that strategies like goal-setting, managing emotions, and self-advocacy can help students develop resilience and accountability. Teachers also advocate for giving students more meaningful responsibilities and assignments to foster self-reflection and self-reliance.

Like what you see? Sign up to receive this summary in your inbox as soon as it is published.