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:
Charter schools show how innovation and collaboration can transform outcomes for students with disabilities.
A new SES measure aims to uncover deeper insights into achievement gaps in the Nation’s Report Card.
California’s first school counselor residency program offers a bold solution to a growing mental health crisis.
To read more, click on the following links.
Research & Practice
EdWeek: How Schools Can Involve English Learners’ Parents in Their Kids’ Learning
Involving parents and families in their children’s education can significantly enhance student success and overall school experiences. Engaging immigrant and linguistically diverse families in their children’s education requires thoughtful strategies. Schools should explain U.S. educational processes, such as grading systems and attendance protocols, to newcomer families. Offering translated communications and assigning a primary contact at school can help bridge gaps. In Volusia County, teachers host meetings where parents can meet educators and learn how to support learning at home, such as through reading or using online resources. Workshops in Alvin, Texas, teach parents how to actively engage with their children’s learning. To increase participation, schools should meet families where they are—offering virtual workshops, sending invitations through trusted bilingual teachers, and considering parents’ schedules. Outreach beyond the school, like visiting local stores and churches, can also be effective for connecting with immigrant families. These practices can help foster a supportive educational environment for all students.
The 74: Report: Charters’ Flexibility Can Enable Better Outcomes for Disabled Pupils
A new report by the Center for Learner Equity highlights innovative strategies used by 29 charter schools to better serve students with disabilities. A key finding is that schools fostering collaboration between general and special educators produce the most promising outcomes, with joint accountability for all students’ success. This contrasts with traditional models where special education often occurs in isolation, despite research showing that integrated classrooms lead to better outcomes. Notable examples include Tapestry Public Charter School in Georgia, where half the students receive special education services. Teachers collaborate daily, and all classes are co-taught, enabling personalized support. Mott Haven Academy in New York City trains general educators to incorporate disability services into classroom instruction. The report recommends charter authorizers provide technical assistance and that all schools promote collaboration, staff training, and data collection. While charters have increased enrollment of students with disabilities, systemic improvements are needed to enhance outcomes.
K-12 Dive: Fewer after-school programs offering academic supports, NCES finds
In the 2024-25 school year, 85% of K-12 public schools are offering after-school programs, but only 60% include an academic focus—down from 64% the previous year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Key barriers cited by school leaders include funding cuts (37%), staffing shortages (30%), low participation (24%), and transportation issues (24%). The decline in academic offerings reflects broader staffing and resource challenges, with 74% of schools reporting difficulties filling vacant teaching positions for 2024-25. Federal pandemic relief funds, a major support for these programs, must be spent by fall 2024, further straining resources. Despite challenges, 83% of schools ran summer programs in 2024, with 80% focused on academics. Schools are funding after-school programs through local budgets (59%), federal (47%) and state grants (29%), and community partnerships (13%), but scaling down services remains a growing concern.
Policy
EdWeek: More States Are Testing the Limits Around Religion in Public Schools
Recent efforts to incorporate religion into public schools are sparking controversy and legal challenges. Texas approved Bible-based lessons for elementary students, while Louisiana and Oklahoma passed measures requiring Ten Commandments displays and Bible integration in classrooms. Oklahoma also sanctioned a Catholic-run charter school and launched a religious liberty office. These initiatives, despite some being blocked as unconstitutional, reflect a favorable climate under a conservative U.S. Supreme Court. Historically, similar attempts to mix religion and public education have faced legal setbacks, such as the 1980 ruling against Kentucky’s Ten Commandments law. However, recent rulings have expanded public funding for religious schools, fueling private school choice programs, largely benefiting religious institutions. Experts suggest current measures may test church-state boundaries further. They also highlight the need for religious literacy in schools to promote understanding, contrasting with the divisive approaches shaping today’s debates.
K-12 Dive: Nation’s Report Card to debut new poverty measurement
The 2024 Nation’s Report Card will introduce a new measure of student socioeconomic status (SES), expanding beyond free or reduced-price lunch eligibility. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) will now incorporate parental education levels and the number of books in a student’s home. This composite index aims to address concerns that lunch program data alone is an insufficient SES indicator. While trends in free or reduced-price lunch data will continue to be reported as “economically disadvantaged,” the new SES measure seeks to provide a more nuanced understanding of achievement gaps. A September 2023 analysis found this approach better explains variations in student performance than previous metrics. The shift comes as universal school meal policies complicate traditional data collection methods. NAEP’s new SES model relies on existing questionnaires for grades 4, 8, and 12, offering insights into factors influencing achievement gaps while retaining room for further SES measurement refinements.
Around the Nation
The 74: Nation’s First School Counselor Residency Launches in Rural CA
A new residency program in California’s rural Central Valley aims to address the shortage of school counselors and improve student mental health. The School Counselor Residency project, a collaboration between Fresno Pacific University and six Tulare County school districts, provides training and mentorship for aspiring counselors. Participants earn a master’s degree in school counseling, receive a $45,000 stipend, and complete 1,200 hours of hands-on clinical training, exceeding credentialing requirements. Launched with 12 counselors this year, the program plans statewide expansion to tackle California’s counselor-to-student ratio of 1:461, nearly double the recommended 1:250. By recruiting local talent, the initiative fosters counselors deeply connected to their communities. Modeled after teacher residency programs, the project aims to increase diversity and reduce financial barriers to entering the profession. Mentors also receive $4,000 stipends to support trainees. Organizers emphasize collaboration, student-centered vision, and mentorship as keys to success.
EdSource: California schools recovering from pandemic, dashboard shows
California’s K-12 schools showed progress in several areas last school year, according to the state’s School Dashboard. Graduation rates rose slightly to 86.4%, and more students earned the State Seal of Biliteracy. The state also saw improvements in standardized test scores, reducing chronic absenteeism, and lowering suspension rates. These gains reflect efforts to address learning loss and absenteeism from the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of districts needing support decreased for the second consecutive year, with fewer districts flagged for chronic absenteeism. However, chronic absenteeism remains a concern, particularly among high school students. New data on long-term English learners was also introduced, spotlighting their needs for improved academic support. The state is working to reduce disparities, providing assistance to districts with underperforming student groups, including English learners, students with disabilities, and foster youth. Overall, these improvements indicate steady post-pandemic recovery in California’s education system.
Like what you see? Sign up to receive this summary in your inbox as soon as it is published.
