The Weekly Connect 12/01/2025

K-12 Dive: Access to 8th Grade Algebra Divided Along Socioeconomic, Racial Lines
Research released from NWEA, a national testing group, found that access to algebra is divided along socioeconomic and racial lines. While three in five schools offer algebra in eighth grade, schools in low-income and rural areas, as well as those serving predominantly Black students, often have less access to the course. Additionally, when schools offer algebra courses, Latino and Black students are less likely to enroll in the class, even if they are considered high-performing. Students who take algebra in eighth grade are more likely to perform better in high school math, become a STEM major in college, and earn a higher salary in adulthood. Often, class placements are decided due to standardized test scores, teacher recommendations, or parent requests, which may be biased. Instead, the NWEA recommends that schools implement universal screenings to determine courses, which is already being implemented in several states. 

The 74: Public Montessori Outperforms Other Early Ed Programs, Study Finds
The first nationwide study of public Montessori programs found that the schools cost $13,127 less than traditional preschool and kindergarten programs, and have additional benefits for children. Montessori education is based on the theory that children learn through imitation, choice, and materials that teach them practical and academic skills. Traditionally, Montessori schools were attended by wealthy families due to the high cost of education; however, due to these public programs, more low-income families have enrolled. The study found that the schools cost less due to their lower teacher-to-student ratios, where 3- and 4-year-old children are encouraged to help each other solve problems. Students who won a spot in a Montessori public school through a lottery system had higher scores after kindergarten on standardized reading tests, executive function, and understanding others’ perspectives compared to their peers. However, students who were not enrolled in the Montessori school performed better at sharing and perseverance tasks.

K-12 Dive: Education Department Breakup Divides K-12 Community
The U.S Department of Education’s announcement that it will shift the management of select federal grant programs to other federal agencies received support and criticism from the education community. One aspect of the plan is that $28 billion in funding for students who are low-income, homeless, or migrant, programs for academic support, after-school, and Impact Aid will now be administered by the  Department of Labor. The goal of this change is to streamline K-12 programs and give states more latitude to use federal funds to align education and workforce programs. One organization for school equity shared that the change would hurt minority students, as the Department of Labor does not have experience or staffing capacity to administer funds that are vital to providing educational access for underserved students. However, another organization shared that these changes will reduce costs and enable states to have more flexibility to meet the needs of families. Other educational leaders request more information on exactly what programs will be impacted and the processes going forward to receive guidance and funding from the federal government. 

Ed Surge News: Orders, Lawsuits, Rulings: Districts Struggle with DEI Amid a Flurry of Legal Actions
In April, the Trump administration announced that schools that held any diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programming were no longer eligible for federal funding. Through the Reminder of Legal Obligations Undertaken in Exchange for Receiving Financial Assistance document, school officials were required to submit that they were meeting federal laws to receive Title VI funding. However, educators are still confused about the administration’s definition of DEI. Additionally, schools that lost funding soon received money after federal court judges ruled that the federal government’s reasons for ending funding were unlawful. Nineteen states sued the Trump administration, stating that DEI policies did not violate the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits programs that discriminate by race, color, or national origin from receiving federal funding. School districts have also protested the changes through letters. The targeting of DEI and gender in school funding has impacted a variety of student programs, including sports teams and leadership initiatives.

The 74: With Bees, Drones & Ancient Technology, New Mexico Schools Engage Students to Save Precious Water for the Next Generation
The Rio Grande High School in New Mexico has a focus on environmental sustainability, motivated by the community’s proximity to the Rio Grande. Students at the high school can choose from six college and pre-professional tracks, including agriculture, conservation, and water and land management. The initiative aims to increase attendance by providing relevant education to students, and early data have shown that the program is successful; attendance rates increased by 11% in the past three school years. Many of the students’ families grow crops around the river and are impacted by its health. One lesson taught students how people used to measure water health before chemical analyses were invented, by examining the health of the river’s organisms. In nearby elementary and middle schools, students learn how to grow their own crops and use water sustainably. 

National Public Radio: This Civics Competition Lets High School Students Have Their Day in Court
Students from 30 high schools in New York City prepared for a month-long competition where they served as prosecutors, and the justices were college students. The trial involved a high school student who was questioned for a prank, and a school resource officer searched her phone without reading her Miranda rights. Students argued that the search was unlawful, while others shared that the meeting was not an interrogation. The city’s curriculum encourages students to use their own voice to “challenge ideas, not people.” The program, now in its 41st year, is a part of the city’s growing civic education initiative. Assessments from the Nation’s Report Card found that eighth-grade civic scores had been on the decline in 2014. The Trump administration has also made efforts to increase civic knowledge in schools by revamping the curriculum to focus on the country’s founding principles.