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Here are some of the things we’ve been reading about this week:

Chronic absenteeism and trauma contribute to poor educational outcomes. 

California joins growing national effort to ban smart phone use in schools. 

School librarians are creating free book fairs. 

To read more, click on the following links.

Research & Practice

The 74: ‘Astonishing’ Absenteeism, Trauma Rates Root of Academic Crisis
In the 2021-22 school year, nearly 15 million children were chronically absent, doubling pre-pandemic rates. The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2024 Kids Count Data Book reveals that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as parental death or abuse, affect 40% of kids. The foundation also points to higher rates of absenteeism, among Native, Black, and Latino children. Chronic absenteeism and trauma contribute to poor educational outcomes, such as significant disparities in literacy and math proficiency. States like Alaska and Oregon report the highest absenteeism, while New England states that have strong early childhood programs rank highest for child well-being. Economic instability, limited childcare, and transportation issues further impede school attendance. The report calls for urgent investments in family engagement, social-emotional health, and tutoring, highlighting successful strategies like those in Richmond Public Schools, which reduced absenteeism by addressing basic needs and providing community support. With $40 billion in federal relief funds still unspent, there is an opportunity for action.
See Also: 5 Things Schools Can Do This Summer to Improve Student Attendance Next Year

The Hechinger Report: This is your brain. This is your brain on screens
Studies show students of all ages absorb more information when reading on paper rather than screens, especially with nonfiction texts. The small advantage of paper has been consistently replicated in lab experiments. Experts suggest the glare of screens, skimming habits, and digital distractions may hinder comprehension. Brain activity studies reveal less oxygenated hemoglobin in the prefrontal cortex and more high-frequency brainwaves when reading on paper, indicating better concentration. However, other studies have found no basic comprehension differences between types of media, leaving this debate unsettled, with potential benefits of interactive digital features still relatively unexplored.

EdWeek: The Harm of School Closures Can Last a Lifetime, New Research Shows
Hundreds of schools close yearly due to low enrollment, budget issues, and poor performance, disproportionately affecting students of color and low-income families. Students affected by K-12 school closures face lower test scores, worse attendance, and behavior issues in the short term. Long-term effects include lower college completion rates, reduced employment, and lower earnings. Research shows test scores, attendance, and graduation rates decline but usually recover within three years. However, a new working paper by researchers at The University of Houston finds these closures have lasting negative impacts, particularly on higher education attainment and wages. Hispanic and economically disadvantaged students suffer more pronounced declines in attendance and increased disciplinary actions. School closures exacerbate educational inequalities, highlighting the need for targeted support for vulnerable students during closures.

Policy

The New York Times: California Joins Growing National Effort to Ban Smartphone Use in Schools
California Governor Gavin Newsom has called for a statewide ban on smartphone use in schools to reduce cyberbullying and classroom distractions. This initiative aligns with a national movement to limit phone access in schools. Newsom aims to work with lawmakers this summer to implement the ban. Following his announcement, the Los Angeles Unified School District voted to pursue its own ban starting in January. Although smartphone restrictions exist in many California schools, enforcement has been challenging. Some parents worry about losing emergency contact with their children, and teachers are concerned about the added responsibility of enforcing the ban. Similar measures have been adopted in Republican-led states like Florida and Indiana. The push for these restrictions coincides with rising concerns about social media’s impact on adolescent mental health.
See Also: Smartwatches: The Next Challenge for School Cellphone Policies

K-12 Dive: USDA’s updated nutrition standards will cost school districts $206M annually
The USDA’s new school nutrition standards, effective July 1, will cost districts an additional 3 cents per meal, totaling about $206 million annually. Major cost drivers include new limits on added sugars ($110 million) and sodium ($86 million). Although no federal funding is allocated to support implementation, the USDA cites resources like the Healthy Meals Incentives initiative and the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program. Changes will start in 2025, with full implementation by fall 2027. New requirements include limits on added sugars in flavored milk and cereals and reduced sodium levels in meals. The Biden administration prioritizes these updates to improve children’s health. While the USDA’s final rule is less stringent than initial proposals, the School Nutrition Association highlights the need for additional support due to rising costs. The Congressional Research Service estimates an extra $16 million annually in administrative costs related to new purchasing patterns and labor.

The Washington Post: A tale of two states: Arizona and Florida diverge on expanding kids’ health insurance
Arizona and Florida are expanding their Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) but differ in their approaches. Arizona has eliminated premiums and coverage limits and does not disenroll children for unpaid premiums. Florida, facing legal challenges, plans higher premiums and annual increases, and removed children for unpaid premiums despite federal rules. These policies reflect broader ideological divides on the government’s role in subsidizing children’s health insurance. Arizona’s expansion has already begun, while Florida’s awaits federal approval. The 2024 presidential election will likely influence these state policies on health insurance for children.

Around the Nation

The New York Times: What to Know About New Social Media Protections for Children in New York
New York’s State Legislature has passed a bill restricting the use of algorithms on minors’ social media feeds to address concerns about social media’s impact on young people’s mental health. Championed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, the law requires social media companies to obtain parental consent to provide algorithmically curated feeds to users under 18. Additionally, it prohibits sending notifications about addictive feeds to minors between midnight and 6 a.m. without parental permission. The regulations, expected to be finalized this year, will take effect six months after their release. Enforcement details remain unclear, particularly around age verification and parental consent. Similar legislative efforts in other states have faced legal challenges from social media companies. The New York bill received broad bipartisan support and may inspire similar measures in other states. However, social media companies and advocacy groups argue that such restrictions infringe on free speech and raise privacy concerns.

EdWeek: School Librarians Are Creating Free Book Fairs. Here’s How
Julia Stivers, a school librarian, rejected traditional for-profit book fairs due to their inequities, where some students could afford books while others couldn’t. Instead, she initiated a “True Book Fair” at Mount Vernon Middle School in Raleigh, North Carolina, where every student receives a free book. Funded by family engagement dollars, this model aims to promote literacy and equality without stigmatizing students. Other librarians, inspired by this approach, have also shifted to free book fairs, utilizing community grants, donations, and volunteer efforts. This model addresses the disparity in access to books, crucial for educational success. Organizations like Scholastic are also adapting, offering programs to support under-resourced schools. Despite challenges, these efforts underscore the potential of providing free books to foster a love of reading among all students.

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