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:
During the pandemic, teen depression rose sharply.
Schools need more resources to educate increasing numbers of immigrant students.
A third of schools lack a school nurse.
To read more, click on the following links.
Research & Practice
Educational opportunity and access to pediatric care are more intertwined than you might think
Brookings: The study explores the relationship between access to pediatric physicians and early academic achievement. It reveals that there’s a significant disparity in the distribution of pediatric physicians across school districts, particularly in rural areas. Children of color in rural districts have limited access to pediatric care. The research also finds a correlation between the number of physicians per child and higher academic test scores in third grade, with districts having more physicians showing better results.
In low-supply districts, an additional physician is associated with a substantial increase in test scores, equivalent to roughly 90 extra days of learning. This connection is less pronounced in high-supply districts.
The study suggests two key recommendations to address these disparities. First, policymakers should expand school-based health centers to improve pediatric care access. Second, efforts should be made to distribute pediatric physicians more equitably, possibly through measures like expanding medical student loan forgiveness and recruiting students from underserved communities. Regardless of causation, the study highlights the urgent need to remove barriers in healthcare and education to provide equitable opportunities for all children.
Post-Pandemic, 2 Out of 3 Students Attend Schools With High Chronic Absenteeism
The 74: A recent analysis of federal data reveals a worsening chronic absenteeism problem in American schools, with two out of three students attending schools with high or extreme rates of chronic absenteeism during the 2021-22 school year, more than double the rate in 2017-18. Chronic absenteeism is defined as students missing at least 10% of the school year, or approximately 18 days. The study, conducted by Attendance Works and the Everyone Graduates Center at Johns Hopkins University, also shows a fivefold increase in the percentage of elementary and middle schools with extreme rates, where at least 30% of students are chronically absent.
The analysis, which is part of a series, emphasizes the negative impact of absenteeism on student learning and performance, highlighting that these issues have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. It suggests that a multi-pronged approach, including dedicated staff, home visits, and tailored strategies, is necessary to address this challenging problem. Experts emphasize the importance of building strong relationships between schools and families to combat absenteeism effectively.
Teen Depression Rose Sharply During the Pandemic, but Treatment Didn’t Follow
The New York Times: A study published in JAMA Pediatrics reveals that approximately 20% of adolescents showed symptoms of major depressive disorder in 2021, with less than half of those in need of treatment receiving it. This issue is particularly pronounced among minority adolescents, especially Latino and mixed-race individuals. Major depressive disorder has been on the rise among adolescents, doubling from 8.1% in 2009 to 15.8% in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this trend due to factors such as isolation, uncertainty, and fear. The study drew from a nationally representative sample of 10,700 adolescents aged 12 to 17, highlighting disparities in treatment across racial and ethnic groups. While mixed-race and Latino adolescents had the highest rates of major depressive disorder, they had the lowest treatment rates, underlining the inequities that need addressing. The study calls for policies and clinical efforts to ensure equitable access to mental health treatment for adolescents, particularly those in marginalized populations. See Also: “Rural Districts Get Creative Amid a Spike in Students’ Mental Health Needs” and “Why America Has a Youth Mental Health Crisis, and How Schools Can Help”
MTSS: What Is a Multi-Tiered System of Supports?
EdWeek: The concept of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) originated from the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It began as “response to intervention” (RTI), which aimed to improve the identification of students with learning disabilities. RTI focused on intensive teaching methods and monitoring a student’s response to determine if individualized education programs (IEPs) were necessary. Over time, educators expanded these principles into general education, creating a framework known as MTSS.
MTSS provides personalized instruction and support to students with learning, social, emotional, or behavioral challenges. It consists of three tiers: Tier 1 (core instruction for all students), Tier 2 (small group instruction for those struggling), and Tier 3 (intensive, individualized intervention). MTSS aims to help students achieve their best academic and social-emotional outcomes, and it can also be used to address students’ mental health needs. See Also: “The Essential Components of MTSS: A Downloadable Guide”
Policy
Michigan schools have added more than 1,300 mental health professionals since 2018 with more funding
Chalkbeat: Over the past five years, Michigan schools have hired more than 1,300 mental health professionals, including counselors, social workers, psychologists, nurses, and behavioral analysts, to address the growing mental health needs of students. The hiring initiative was implemented from the 2018-19 school year through 2022-23 in response to the national shortage of mental health professionals for youth and the ongoing child and adolescent mental health crisis, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The addition of these staff members is seen as crucial in providing early identification and intervention, improving academic outcomes, creating a more positive school climate, enhancing psychosocial outcomes, and fostering better engagement between students, families, and educators. These efforts aim to address Michigan’s historical shortage of student mental health resources, which has led to high student-to-counselor ratios in the state.
As Migrants Arrive, Some Schools Need More Buses, Books and Bilingual Teachers
The 74: Many school districts in the United States are facing an influx of immigrant students, creating challenges in terms of resources, staffing, and infrastructure. While education is a fundamental right for all children in the U.S., the rapid increase in immigrant students has highlighted the need for additional resources and support to ensure these students receive a quality education.
In West Springfield, Massachusetts, the school district has seen a significant increase in immigrant families, leading to additional costs for the school system. These newcomers often require specialized support, such as bilingual teachers, materials, and classrooms. The state of Massachusetts has allocated some funding to schools for students housed in emergency shelters, but there is still a need for more resources to accommodate the growing immigrant student population.
Similar challenges are being observed in other parts of the country, including Chicago, Miami-Dade County, New York City, and Liberty County, Texas. The sudden and often unpredictable influx of immigrant students presents difficulties for school districts in terms of staffing and classroom space as districts work to provide a quality education to all students.
Around the Nation
A third of schools don’t have a nurse. Here’s why that’s a problem.
CBS News: School nurses play a crucial but often under-recognized role in keeping students healthy and ready to learn, even though more than a third of schools in the United States don’t have a full-time nurse on-site, according to a 2021 survey by the National Association of School Nurses. The lack of school nurses is further exacerbated by the nationwide shortage of nurses. As schools struggle to attract and retain employees, they are also dealing with an increasing number of students with chronic illnesses and a growing mental health crisis. School districts face challenges in recruiting and retaining school nurses, who are often lured away by better salaries and benefits in hospitals. See Also: 2022-23 flu season more severe for youth than most recent years
Lahaina Teachers Have To ‘Start From Scratch’ As Schools Prepare To Reopen
The 74: Educators at Lahaina’s surviving schools in Hawaii are preparing to reopen their campuses next week after a wildfire destroyed their elementary school. Many teachers have expressed concern about students’ mental health, new classroom arrangements, and lost learning time. Some teachers have chosen not to return to jobs in the historic Maui town, citing concerns about environmental safety and evacuation plans, as the wildfire created toxic debris and air pollution. The phased reopening will involve tent-like structures for displaced students until a new temporary facility is built. Some teachers feel that the safety tests conducted on air, water, and soil have not been sufficient, while others are concerned about future disruptions from the ash and soil at the burn zone. Mental health support for students is also being ramped up to help them cope with trauma.
Around the World
How to Talk About the Israel-Hamas War: Resources for Educators
EdWeek: In response to the Hamas attack on Israel earlier this month and the ensuing Israeli response, schools and educators are providing resources to help students understand and discuss this international crisis. The San Diego County Office of Education released a memo containing resources for educators and parents to engage children and adolescents in thoughtful conversations. The New York City schools’ Chancellor, David C. Banks, stated that resources would be provided to facilitate discussions about the conflict and promote compassionate global citizenship. School districts like Mercer Island in Washington are also sharing resources for discussing the crisis with their communities. As this violence impacts students with cultural ties to Israel and Palestine and amid rising incidents of antisemitism and Islamophobia, educators aim to create safe spaces for students to learn about current events and process their emotions. Various resources and educational guides are available to help explain the conflict and guide discussions, encouraging students to analyze media coverage and misinformation about the crisis.
Like what you see? Sign up to receive this summary in your inbox as soon as it is published.
