The Weekly Connect 6/22/2026

National Public Radio: Socioeconomic Factors Are Becoming ‘Biologically Embedded’ in Children’s Brains 
A new study in the journal Science found that children’s brain makeup is linked to socioeconomic opportunities based on a child’s zip code. The study used imaging data in a large sample of nine to ten-year-olds to understand how brain functions and structure can be affected by environmental conditions. While previous research has found other links with cognitive performance and mental health, the researchers found that socioeconomic circumstances, including household income and level of social support, were the strongest links to brain differences observed on an MRI. For example, participants’ sensory processing and motor control variances were associated with their sleep duration and stress responses. Children in the sample who had fewer economic, educational, and social opportunities were more likely to have these stronger associations. The researchers recommend further investigations into the causal mechanisms between socioeconomic differences and brain development, and whether other factors could mediate this relationship. 

JAMA Network Open: Investments in Childhood Community Resources and Subsequent Adult Health Outcomes 
Research has shown that investing in family-focused community resources (FFCR)—which includes public education, libraries, parks, and housing—improves children’s development, health, and well-being. However, do the positive benefits of childhood exposure to these resources remain until adulthood? The researchers used national datasets from 1977 to 2019 for cities with at least 150,000 residents to calculate total per capita spending on community resources and subsequent health outcomes. They found that exposure to a one percent increase in childhood FFCR spending was associated with a .20% and .25% decrease in the likelihood of having fair or poor health and cardiovascular disease, respectively, in adulthood. These associations were primarily observed for public investments in education, libraries, and community development and housing. The researchers recommend that policymakers fund FFCRs in lower-resourced areas to improve population health in future generations. 

Annie E. Casey Foundation: 2026 Kids Count Data Book: 2026 State Trends in Child Well-Being
Findings from the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s annual Data Book share progress made in supporting children in the United States over the past seven years. Using federal data and resources from numerous organizations, the researchers found that since 2019, seven of their 16 indicators improved and seven worsened. The 16 indicators are categorized into four domains—economic well-being, education, health, and family and community—and examine overall trends in state resources and improvements. Each state is given a score out of 1,000, with the highest, New Hampshire, receiving a 838, and the lowest, Mississippi, receiving 271. Nearly all states scored worse compared to 2019 levels in the education domain, with many states experiencing lower reading and math scores and declining preschool enrollment. However, more than half of the states saw improvements in economic well-being with a reduction in the number of children living in poverty—one of the most significant improvements since 2019.

Chalkbeat: Education Department Dismantling Continues: Special Ed Oversight to HHS, Civil Rights to Justice
The U.S. Department of Education announced that two key areas of work, civil rights enforcement and special education oversight, will be moved to the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services. This change is the latest move to dismantle the Education Department by transferring responsibilities to other areas of the government. The U.S. Secretary of Education shared that these changes aim to “scale back federal micromanagement when it hinders success,” to ensure students effectively receive services. However, some are concerned that knowledge of how to help schools make changes to benefit students may be lost as responsibilities transfer to other agencies. Advocates for students with disabilities have protested the move for over a year, with concerns that the Health and Human Services does not have the appropriate experience with schools or the training to support students. Similarly, the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights supported school districts in changing discriminatory practices rather than taking punitive measures. Those against these changes are concerned that actions taken by the Department of Justice will be less effective in promoting initiatives that would improve education for a large group of students. 

K-12 Dive: Treasury Previews Guidance For First Federal School Choice Program
The U.S. Department of the Treasury released initial guidance on the country’s first private school choice program. Taxpayers will be able to donate up to $1,700 annually to a scholarship-granting organization, which will make them eligible for a 100% federal income tax credit. The credits can be used in states that opt into the program, with 27 already indicating they will do so. Families with a household income under 300% of the area’s median gross income are eligible to participate. The scholarships can be used in all public, private, and religious K-12 schools, as well as homeschools, if permitted by the state. Awarded scholarships can be used to pay for private school tuition and expenses, tutoring, and special needs services. Families in favor of the new guidance share the importance of choosing educational opportunities that best serve the needs of their children. Others are worried about the program’s impact on public school enrollment and on students who are not accepted into their school of choice. Final guidance will be released in September, and families can opt in in 2027. 

Chalkbeat: Illinois Lawmakers Define Play-Based Learning as Full-Day Kindergarten Requirement Rolls Out Statewide 
Last month, Illinois state lawmakers passed an official definition of play-based learning: either teacher or student-initiated play, which intentionally aligns with learning goals or standards. The movement has emerged across the country to give students more hands-on learning experiences, in efforts to partially combat the impact of the pandemic, artificial intelligence, screen time in the classroom, and test-based instruction starting as early as kindergarten. While play-based learning has been incorporated across the state since 2023, teachers say they have benefited from the new guidance. One pre-k teacher shared how play-based learning has improved her students’ ability to build relationships, problem solve, and share with classmates. Educators shared the importance of increasing access to play-based learning opportunities across communities so that all students can benefit.

The 74: Aquatic Robots, Drones and Power Tools: STEM Spans All Grades in Oklahoma School
At the public charter school network Dove Schools in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, all students graduate from high school and are accepted into college, likely in part due to its innovative school practices. The school is majority low-income, and 88% of graduating seniors last year were the first in their families to attend college. The network incorporates STEM education in every grade, such as computer science classes starting in kindergarten, STEM-based clubs, and robotics and electronics learning opportunities. Students interested in pursuing a STEM career after high school can also take specific courses and earn college credits. They take character education classes, which focus on students’ building critical thinking, kindness, and moral reasoning skills. Simultaneously, teachers conduct home visits to build strong relationships with families and provide them with resources. A STEM teacher shared that the best part of her day is watching her elementary students learn to complete a STEM activity “in any direction they want to,” which “they take off with… and have no limits to their imagination.”