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Here are some of the things we’ve been reading about this week:
CDC Reports lowest teen tobacco use in 25 Years but notes disparities
Education Department releases first AI Toolkit for schools
Philadelphia’s five-year plan focuses on equity, post-pandemic recovery, and community-driven reform.
To read more, click on the following links.
Research & Practice
RAND: Social-Emotional Well-Being for High School Students: Guidance for School and System Policy and Practice
This report highlights the importance of addressing social-emotional well-being for high school students in the U.S. as schools expand mental health support due to rising concerns about anxiety, depression, and communication issues. The report’s multi-method study examines how educational leaders organize policies and practices for social-emotional support. Key findings reveal that mental health staff, often in short-term roles due to funding constraints, are essential to support students, alongside practices like advisory periods and partnerships with mental health agencies. District-level efforts include dedicated mental health roles, planning that integrates social-emotional well-being, and inclusive equity practices. Challenges include staff turnover and limited leadership support. Recommendations stress sustained funding, hiring emotionally skilled leaders, conducting social-emotional audits, and incorporating equity to better support marginalized groups, including students of color, female teens, and LGBTQ+ youth.
CDC: Tobacco Product Use Among Middle and High School Students
The 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey shows the lowest U.S. teen and tween tobacco use in 25 years, with only 8% (2.25 million) of middle and high school students reporting use in the past 30 days, down from 23% in 2019. E-cigarettes remain the most popular, used by 6%, followed by nicotine pouches (nearly 2%), and traditional tobacco products like cigarettes and cigars. High school students reported higher usage (10%) compared to middle school students (5.4%). Disparities in usage persist among racial and ethnic groups, often due to targeted industry marketing. The decline is attributed to tobacco control programs that address the dangers of nicotine on adolescent brain development, impacting learning, memory, and attention.
Policy
K-12 Dive: Education Department releases highly anticipated AI toolkit for schools
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology released a new AI toolkit to help K-12 leaders integrate artificial intelligence responsibly in schools. Developed after President Biden’s 2023 executive order, this 74-page guide assists districts with managing AI risks, creating strategic plans, and enhancing teaching with AI. The toolkit emphasizes safeguarding student privacy, security, and civil rights, supporting both novice and experienced AI users in schools. Sara Kloek from the Software & Information Industry Association praised the toolkit’s guidance but noted the need for further input on risk management. Despite the push for AI, research shows few districts have formal AI policies, as many superintendents prioritize staffing and student discipline over AI. Some districts, like one in Iowa, are approaching AI with a “go slow to go fast” method to ensure safe and ethical adoption.
K-12 Dive: What’s on state ballots for education in the 2024 elections
As voters cast ballots on Nov. 5 in the U.S. presidential election, many will also address local education issues. Fourteen states are considering measures around education funding, school choice, and governance. Key issues include school choice, with Colorado, Kentucky, and Nebraska debating initiatives. Colorado’s Initiative 138 proposes adding parents’ educational rights to the state constitution, while Kentucky’s Amendment 2 would authorize funding for school choice programs. Nebraska will vote on a $10 million scholarship program for private schools. Finance measures include Missouri’s Amendment 5, potentially funding early literacy with new gaming revenue, and Colorado’s Proposition KK, a tax on firearms aimed at funding youth mental health and school safety. Leadership elections for state education roles are also underway, including governors in 11 states, which could significantly impact education policy. Some states will appoint new education superintendents or board members, shaping future policy and governance.
See also: Massachusetts, Famed for Tough School Standards, Rethinks Its Big Test
The 74: 70% of Washington Public School Students Now Have Access to Free Meals
Washington State now provides free school meals to 70% of students, benefiting nearly 800,000 children after the legislature expanded access. This increase in participation has led Superintendent Chris Reykdal to request an additional $17.6 million for the 2025-2027 budget to sustain the program. The funding gap is partly due to underestimated participation, federal reimbursement adjustments, and a rise in low-income students, now at 50.1%. The free meal expansion, championed by Rep. Marcus Riccelli, offers meals to all students in schools where at least 30% qualify for federal meal programs. Since the expansion, meal participation has surged, with a 32% increase in lunches and a 50% increase in breakfasts served. Riccelli’s attempt to pass universal free school meals was halted due to the estimated $115 million annual cost.
Around the Nation
EdWeek: Preparing for the Workforce Can Start as Early as 1st Grade. What It Looks Like
In Bullitt County, Kentucky, 1st-grade teachers are using project-based learning to develop students’ academic and universal skills crucial for future success. Beyond reading, writing, and math, students engage in hands-on activities that foster communication, collaboration, and community involvement—qualities identified in the district’s “graduate profile” as essential competencies. For example, students created adoption ads for animals from a local shelter, enhancing their opinion-writing and communication skills. Other projects include producing a puppet show and conservation videos, each aligned with competencies like being effective communicators and community contributors. Teachers find this approach not only builds foundational skills but also strengthens classroom engagement and teacher-student relationships.
The Washington Post: How America’s youngest voters feel about casting their first ballots
Young voters could significantly impact the 2024 U.S. presidential election, with many high school seniors and college freshmen among the 8 million new voters. Classes on democracy and voting have become a pivotal influence on teens, shaping their understanding and engagement with politics. Luke Netto, an 18-year-old University of Georgia student, is one such voter, whose college coursework has emphasized the importance of democracy and the power of voting. For Virginia high school senior Abbie Litonjua, family influences and history lessons shape her beliefs on immigration and women’s rights. Across the country, young Americans are embracing their role in shaping the nation’s future by voting with passion, informed perspectives, and optimism for change.
K-12 Dive: How Philadelphia is accelerating learning recovery with an ambitious 5-year plan
Tony Watlington, the superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia, is focused on improving education for Black, brown, and low-income students through his ambitious five-year plan, Accelerate Philly. Since its launch in 2022, the district has been recognized as one of the fastest-improving urban school systems for post-pandemic recovery. Watlington emphasizes community engagement, stating that successful implementation requires involving diverse groups, including students, parents, and educators, to create a sense of ownership. Key initiatives include forming advisory councils, enhancing communication strategies, and investing in teacher recruitment and training. The district has effectively utilized $1.2 billion in COVID relief funds for learning recovery, including the adoption of high-quality curricula. Watlington believes that by fostering collaboration among teachers, students, and parents, and focusing on regular attendance, the district can improve academic outcomes and maintain its commitment to educational equity for all students.
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