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Here are some of the things we’ve been reading about this week:
Informal mentoring by teachers, counselors, and coaches helps students succeed.
The Biden Administration has released a plan to combat antisemitism in K-12 schools.
Illinois increases funding for early childhood education and K-12 schools.
To read more, click on the following links.
Research & Practice
Short meetings could encourage teachers to stay on the job
The Conversation: Half of U.S. teachers leave their jobs within the first five years, especially in schools located in underserved areas. These schools often struggle to retain qualified math and science teachers, as well as instructors certified to teach English language learners. This finding is compounded by the fact that schools with lower student achievement tend to have a disproportionate number of inexperienced teachers. While various factors contribute to teacher turnover (e.g., low salaries and lack of colleague support), inadequate support from school principals is frequently cited as a significant reason for leaving the profession. A recent research paper suggests that a brief, 10-minute meeting between teachers and their principals can significantly increase teacher job satisfaction. Read more here: Journal of Leadership, Equity, and Research paper.
How Informal Mentoring by Teachers, Counselors, and Coaches Supports Students’ Long-Run Academic Success
NBER: A longitudinal study shows that more than 15% of U.S. adolescents identified non-caregiver adults (e.g., teacher, counselor, coach) had made the most important positive difference in their lives. About 90% of the reported school-based mentors were counselors or teachers, and students were most likely to have met them toward the end of 9th grade or the beginning of 10th grade. This study highlights the significance of informal mentorships in providing academic and social support to adolescent students. These relationships are expected to be particularly valuable upon returning to school, especially as students continue to cope with pandemic-related trauma. Students from low-income families might have limited access to such relationships. The research calls for hiring more teachers of color to enhance students’ access to school-based mentors and underscores the need for equitable mentorship opportunities to promote long-term success. Read more here: National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) working paper.
Policy
Food stamps: How debt ceiling agreement will affect those on SNAP benefits
Washington Examiner: The recent debt limit deal includes increased work requirements for programs like SNAP and cash welfare, while Medicaid requirements remain unchanged. The compromise also expands food stamp access for veterans, homeless individuals, and young adults transitioning from foster care. The response to the agreement is mixed, with some criticizing the compromise for not going far enough, and others decrying the changes as burdensome and ineffective. Concerns were also raised about the impact on food stamp beneficiaries and government spending. Critics argue that older adults will bear the brunt of the harmful requirements, while others highlight the problematic link between safety net programs and the debt limit.
Schools Are Part of the Biden Administration’s Plan for Combating Antisemitism
Education Week: The White House has released a plan to combat antisemitism in K-12 schools after a significant rise in discriminatory incidents against Jewish students. The plan includes over 100 actions, such as a campaign by the US Department of Education to raise awareness of the issue and guidance on addressing discrimination. The guidance draws on the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and puts schools on notice that they must respond to acts of discrimination towards Jewish students. The White House Education Department has tasked its officials with raising awareness on antisemitism and will provide resources to address hate incidents and to promote inclusion in K-12 schools. Other parts of the plan highlight education about Jewish history and the contributions of Jewish Americans to society. Many Jewish organizations and anti-discrimination groups have expressed support for the law.
Laws on Trans, Nonbinary Student Pronouns Put Teachers in a Bind
Ed Week: New laws in at least nine states, including Indiana, Iowa, Florida, and North Dakota require teachers to inform caregivers if their students identify as transgender and enable teachers to use the pronouns assigned to students at birth. Many teachers worry that the laws undermine trust among students and teachers and will prevent some students from feeling safe and supported at school. The laws are seen as part of a larger push to limit the rights of transgender and gender-nonconforming students in areas such as bathroom access and participation in sports, positioning schools as a site for ideological skirmishes. Proponents of the law believe that it protects parental rights and upholds the First Amendment rights of teachers, while critics argue that these laws can cause harm to trans and non-binary students as well as to potentially dissuade candidates from pursuing a career in education. The laws have sparked debates and legal challenges across the country.
Around the Nation
Illinois passes 2024 budget with increased funding for K-12, early childhood education
Chalkbeat: Illinois lawmakers passed a 2024 budget that features increased funding for public schools, early childhood education, and financial support for students entering college and teacher preparation programs. The State Board of Education’s budget will reach $10.3 billion, a 6.2% increase from last year. It includes a $570 million boost for K-12 schools, an additional $250 million for early childhood education, and over $100 million for college-bound students and aspiring teachers. The budget allocates $250 million for Smart Start Illinois, a program that supports kindergarten readiness. Higher education funding includes $3.8 million for the Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship and a $100 million increase for the Monetary Award Program that provides financial assistance for college-bound students. Advocates for public schools expressed disappointment that an evidence-based program aimed at fully funding historically under-resourced K-12 schools was reduced. Others are concerned that the budget omits Invest In Kids, a tax-credit scholarship program for enrollment in non-public schools. Read more here: Illinois Residents Debate On Tax Credit Scholarship Program For Private Schools.
Lessons In Leadership: For Ohio superintendent, focus on student skills is key to broader local economy
K-12 Dive: Youngstown City School District in Ohio has experienced a significant decline in student enrollment due to the downturn of the local steel industry. Over the past 12 years, enrollment has dropped by half, reaching just under 5,000 students. Poverty is also a major challenge, with 99% of students qualifying for free and reduced-price meals. Superintendent Justin Jennings, who took charge in 2019 during the district’s period of state control, continues to lead the district after the state takeover law was abolished. Jennings emphasizes the importance of collaborating with local business and policy leaders to prepare students with skills that can attract new industries and revive the local economy. Additionally, he highlights the significance of having a coach and underscores the often overlooked quality in recruiting and retaining effective leaders.
Philadelphia superintendent proposes year-round pilot in strategic plan
K-12 Dive: Philadelphia is piloting an approach to address pandemic-induced learning gaps through year-round access to schooling and extended school days. The pilot seeks to forward the district’s five-year strategic plan of accelerating academic achievement for its 120,000 students. Similarly targeted programs have focused on high-dosage tutoring, but Philadelphia’s approach acknowledges that accelerating learning may not be sufficient to remediate learning loss, which is affected by fixed variables such as curricula and the capacity of the teaching force. The pilot enables caregivers to opt into the year-round enrollment or extended school days at ten city schools, giving those students more time to meet grade level requirements. The pilot also aims to mitigate summer learning loss, a phenomenon that negatively impacts many students in Title I schools as well as English language learners. Read more here: Passing a budget, praising a plan, telling a charter school no: Philadelphia’s long board meeting.
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