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Here are some of the things we’ve been reading about this week:
Anti-poverty efforts that increase families’ resources give children’s brains a boost.
In April 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will release final rules on expanding schools’ free meal programs.
Student podcasters share the dark realities of middle school in America.
To read more, click on the following links.
Research & Practice
Anti-poverty aid offers brain boost
Hechinger Report: A recent study published in Nature Communications suggests that the negative effects of poverty on children’s brains can be lessened by increased family resources. Analyzing data from over 10,000 children aged 9 to 11 across 17 states, researchers found that low-income children had smaller hippocampi and higher rates of mental health challenges. However, in states with higher living costs and more generous safety-net programs, the brain volume disparity reduced by 34% and mental health challenges decreased. Safety-net policies like the Earned Income Tax Credit, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and expanded Medicaid access played a crucial role. These findings align with a previous study showing improved cognitive activity in infants whose families received monthly cash support. The study’s lead researchers urge policymakers to consider the impact of these findings when weighing work requirements and renewing assistance programs that support caregivers and their children.
State of children’s mental health in US is a national emergency
AMA: The American Medical Association (AMA) has declared the state of children’s mental health and barriers to mental healthcare in the United States as a national emergency. This aligns with previous declarations by medical organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association. The AMA highlights the crisis in children’s mental health, noting that many children with mental health disorders remain untreated. A recent study found increased rates of anxiety and depression among children and a decline in preventive medical visits. Approximately one in five children in the U.S. experiences a mental health disorder each year, and suicide is the second-leading cause of death for children aged 10 to 14. The AMA policy calls for efforts to enhance the mental health care workforce and improve access to youth behavioral health care. They emphasize the importance of training and availability of physicians and mental health professionals to address the gaps in children’s treatment.
‘Listen to your teachers!’ Why educators say they’re in crisis mode
District Administration: Teachers in district and charter public schools are facing overwhelming pressures, leading to a nationwide teacher shortage that has been worsened by the pandemic. A recent survey conducted by The Harris Poll and the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools highlights the key factors contributing to this shortage. The survey reveals that 74% of public school teachers consider student behavior as the biggest challenge, followed closely by compensation at 65%. Teachers express feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, and worried or anxious. As a result, nearly 39% of public school teachers have seriously considered leaving or plan to leave the profession. Political interference is also a significant concern, with 91% of teachers feeling caught in a culture war and emphasizing the importance of decisions based on input from students, families, and teachers. The study suggests that public school teachers are in a state of crisis, and that they “do not feel that the public education system in this country supports and motivates them.”
Policy
USDA looks to make final call on free meal expansion, school nutrition in April 2024
K-12 Dive: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is set to release final rules in April 2024 on two significant school meal proposals. One proposal aims to expand free meals for all students at high-poverty schools by lowering the eligibility threshold for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) from 40% to 25% of enrolled students. The CEP allows schools to provide free breakfast and lunch without requiring an application. The second proposal, issued in February, focuses on stricter nutrition standards for school meals, including requirements that these meals include whole grains and reduced sugar and sodium content. This proposal received over 136,000 public comments, with differing opinions on its impact. Some believe it would make meals healthier, while others think it is unrealistic and may discourage student participation. The comment period for both proposals ended in May, and there are calls for the USDA to consider the input of school nutrition experts when finalizing the rules.
Proposed Section 504 rule expected in August
K-12 Dive: The U.S. Department of Education plans to issue a proposed rule update in August to clarify how Section 504 accommodations for students with disabilities align with civil rights protections under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The regulations for Section 504 have remained unchanged for almost 50 years, and the update aims to provide guidance for K-12 districts and colleges. It will address barriers to educational access, update outdated language, and align with laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act and IDEA. In the previous fiscal year, the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights received 6,467 complaints related to Section 504 and ADA Title II issues. The Department began the review process a year ago, gathering public comments and feedback through listening sessions. Disability rights advocates called for greater cohesion between Section 504 and IDEA, while school administrative groups seek a clear separation between the two to improve understanding and implementation by educators and families.
Around the Nation
‘She just wants a friend’: Families push for full school days for children with disabilities
Hechinger Report: In Oregon, caregivers are fighting to ensure equal access to education for their children with disabilities. Families are concerned that abbreviated school schedules cause isolation from peers and hinder educational progress for students with individualized learning needs. These concerns have led some caregivers to file suits against local school districts. Advocates for students with disabilities argue that the practice of abbreviating a students’ school day or week violates students’ civil rights and perpetuates discrimination. A bill aiming to restrict the use of shortened days is currently pending in the state’s House of Representatives. However, the bill has faced opposition from school boards and superintendents, impeding its progress. Advocates for students with disabilities also emphasize the importance of allocating resources for proper training and staffing rather than relying on shortened schedules.
Student podcasters share the dark realities of middle school in America
NPR: “Middle School Now,” a podcast created by two 13-year-olds in San Francisco, explores the challenges faced by modern middle schoolers. The podcast, which won the Grand Prize in the NPR Student Podcast Challenge, delves into topics such as gun violence, social media, and mental health that shape the middle school experience. Erika and Norah highlight the differences between their middle school years and those of their English teacher, Jenny Chio, emphasizing the amplified pressure today’s students face. They discuss lockdown drills, a grim reality for students and teachers, and how it has affected their perception of school shootings. The podcast also touches on the influence of TikTok on fashion trends and daily life, with dances and trends spreading rapidly through the platform. Through their podcast, Erika and Norah amplify the voices of their peers and shed light on the ups and downs of being a middle-schooler in the modern era.
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