The Weekly Connect 10/27/2025

K-12 Dive: Teacher Turnover Contributes to Suspensions and Referrals, Study Finds
A new study from New York University found that higher rates of teacher turnover are associated with increased student suspension and disciplinary measures. The study used ten years of data from New York City Public Schools’ sixth through twelfth grades. If a teacher left mid-year, students’ likelihood of receiving a suspension or disciplinary referral increased by 20-30% for each year of experience the departing teacher had. Students were also less likely to be disciplined if their teachers stayed through the year; when the rate of teachers leaving midyear dropped by 4.5%, suspensions and discipline referrals dropped by 2.4% and 1.9%, respectively. Students from underrepresented backgrounds were most likely to be impacted by their teachers leaving mid-year. The research highlights the importance of teacher-student relationships and suggests that if school officials and policymakers increase strategies to retain teachers, it could have a direct impact on student well-being and achievement in the classroom. 

JAMA Network Open: Screen Time and Standardized Academic Achievement Tests in Elementary School
Young children’s technology habits typically inform their behavior patterns later in life. However, most studies focus on the relationship between older children’s technology usage and academic achievement. Using Canadian youth data, the study assessed whether screen, media, and video game time were associated with academic tests in third or sixth grade. Results indicate that with each additional hour of total screen time, children had 9-10% lower odds of a higher academic level in grade three reading, grade three math, and grade six math. High television and digital media usage was linked with lower achievement levels in third-grade reading and math and sixth-grade math. Video game usage was associated with lower reading achievement in third grade. There was no relationship between writing achievement and media usage. The data, collected from 2008 to 2023, remained stable in these associations, indicating consistent levels of screen time and academic achievement within the past 15 years. 
See also: Cellphone Bans Give Modest Boost to Test Scores, New Study Finds

Journal of Affective Disorders: Associations Between Multiple Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Mental Health in Children
The diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD), which includes intellectual disabilities and learning disorders, has increased in recent years due to improved tools, increased awareness, and changes in environmental and social factors. The present study assesses the relationship between children with multiple neurodevelopmental disorders and mental health symptoms. Researchers used data from the U.S. National Survey of Children’s Health to assess children ages 3-17. Of the sample, 10% of children had multiple NDDs. With each NDD, children had increased rates of depression and anxiety symptoms; compared to children without multiple NDDs, they were 4.7 to 5.3 times more likely to have depression and 5.8 to 12.9 times more likely to have anxiety. Children with five or more NDDs were most likely to have severe depression and anxiety. These findings suggest that children with multiple NDDs are a vulnerable subgroup and further interventions are needed to support their mental health and well-being.

Chalkbeat: Indiana Submits Plan for Education Funding Flexibility to Trump Officials
Indiana officials submitted a plan to use federal education funds with fewer restrictions. If approved, the plan would merge funding for several federal Title programs, which are designated for specific initiatives and groups of students, into a block grant that can then be spent on other education-related needs. The proposal’s goal is to ensure that state officials can focus on spending time directly helping students rather than dealing with administrative tasks associated with receiving federal funding. Iowa and Oklahoma also submitted similar proposals, which are aligned with the Trump administration’s goal to “return education to the states.” Critics of the plan are concerned that the proposal will take away funds from certain groups of students and transfer money designated for low-performing schools to higher-performing schools. If the proposal is approved, it will go into effect during the 2026-2027 school year. 

Chalkbeat: Federal SNAP-Ed Program Cuts Mean Less Nutrition Education for Colorado Students and Families
Due to budget cuts to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed), school districts will no longer receive funding for nutrition education programs. The federal government spent $536 million annually on SNAP-Ed. Research indicates that every $1 spent on SNAP-Ed saves up to $10.64 on healthcare costs due to the program’s focus on nutrition and health education. Colorado received over $6 million each year to fund programs, such as teaching families how to eat healthy on a small budget and why it is important for their health. In one district serving mostly low-income students, children were also able to try foods they had never had before and were given recipes they could make at home. The district collaborated on programming with a local nonprofit and the Colorado School of Public Health. Colorado officials have included a proposition in November’s election for residents to vote on funding for school meal and food programs, including SNAP-Ed. 
See also: Upgrades are Coming to MO Head Start Nutrition Programs

CalMatters: This Preschool Serves Kids with Traumatic Backgrounds. Here’s What Researchers Learned From Them
A preschool in San Diego, California, serves children who have experienced domestic violence and other traumatic events. Mi Escuelita provides students with academic, social-emotional, and health support in the classroom. Each classroom has a therapist, students participate in individual and group therapy sessions, and parents learn best strategies for supporting their children. Researchers from the University of California, San Diego found that children in the program had increased academic abilities and relationships at home compared to students in other preschool programs. After graduating from the program, many children met math, reading, and writing standards and demonstrated high standardized test scores. Families also reported that they saw fewer conflicts from their children and felt closer to them. 

K-12 Dive: A Side of Life Skills With Your Coffee? North Carolina School Serves Both
A public school in Charlotte, North Carolina, recently opened a cafe run by students with cognitive disabilities. The program is run out of Metro School, which serves 250 students ages 3 to 22. Previously, students ran a pop-up shop throughout the building on a cart. In September, the school opened up a full cafe, where 125 students work each year. Students also designed and built the cafe space. The program aims for students to develop real-world job skills during the school day, which will support them post-graduation upon entering the workforce. Students also develop increased self-confidence and independence. The school has a long history of providing work opportunities for its students, ranging from working in a greenhouse, at a local Goodwill, and in community improvement programs. The programs are created to ensure that school officials are “identifying [student] strengths and making sure [they] tie them to workplaces and work skills that meet their needs.”