The Weekly Connect 7/27/2026

Research and Practice

JAMA Network Open: Sustained Availability of Dedicated High School Health Courses and Adolescent Substance Use

Substance use is one of the leading causes of mortality for adolescents in the United States. While many schools provide screening and intervention services for students, it is unclear how effective these programs are in lowering substance use. Researchers from California Polytechnic State University and San Luis Obispo High School analyzed data from over 1 million California students to assess the relationship between high school health courses and substance use rates. They found that students in schools with a dedicated health course had modest but consistent reductions in 30-day vaping, marijuana use, binge drinking, and alcohol use. Because the correlation does not measure student- or course-specific changes (e.g., class attendance or program quality), the researchers indicate that simply the availability of health classes in a school may lead to a decrease in drug use across a large student body, likely because the school enforces a culture of prioritizing health and safety. 

K-12 Dive: More Students With Disabilities Learning in General Education Classrooms

According to a report released by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the number of students with disabilities in general education classrooms has increased over the past decade. Of the data analyzed between the 2012-13 and 2023-24 school years, the trend was persistent in 42 states and the District of Columbia. Simultaneously, the number of students with disabilities has increased by 12.6% between 2019 and 2024, amounting to over 8.2 million students qualifying for services in 2024. Districts with a higher percentage of students with disabilities who spent at least 40% of their day in a general education classroom are more likely to have either high or low levels of poverty (compared to schools in the middle poverty range), have lower per-pupil revenue, and are less likely to have a dedicated special education school. Experts largely recommend that students with disabilities be placed in general education classrooms as much as possible to support their growth and that of their peers. 

Brookings: School Spending Equity Since 1976

How has school spending equity changed over time, and how are these trends apparent within or between states? Using school district-level data between 1976 and 2021, researchers from Brookings examined how school spending has differed based on student demographics. Before 1995, school spending was higher for schools serving mostly white and high-income students. Since then, average school spending per pupil has increased and is more favorable towards schools with marginalized students than their peers in the same state. However, these schools were more likely to be in a state where overall spending was lower. The findings highlight how funding differences between states are a contributor to funding inequities, even when policy conversations are often focused on funding differences within the same state. While the study does not measure the impact of more per-pupil funding on high-poverty or minority-serving schools, the researchers indicate that “high poverty schools undoubtedly need more resources than their low-poverty counterparts to provide equivalent educational opportunities.”  

Newsweek: Major Green Card Change Would Impact Immigrants on Government Benefits

The Trump administration announced changes to the criteria that immigration officers can consider when issuing green cards to immigrants who use government benefits. Federal immigration law allows the government to deny admission or permanent residency to individuals who are likely to be a “public charge,” defined as relying primarily on the government for assistance rather than themselves or a support network. The policy rolls back a 2022 regulation that prohibited non-cash benefits from being considered during a public charge concern. Now, programs such as Medicaid, food assistance, and housing support can be considered. The Department of Homeland Security shared that the purpose of the new rule will limit benefits used by immigrants by $13 billion annually to preserve public assistance for United States citizens. Critics of the public charge changes are concerned about the decline in resources used by immigrant families to support their health and well-being, which could also lead to further economic impacts. The new rules will go into effect on September 18. 

K-12 Dive: 4 More States Require Districts to Adopt AI Policies

Since 2025, 34 states have issued guidance on artificial intelligence use in the classroom. Recently, four states—Idaho, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Virginia—have required their education departments to develop guidance for using AI safely and responsibly, as well as mandate that school boards adopt policies that align with the state’s guidance. Across the country, educators have expressed concern over the lack of guidance and training to use AI with their students. Others are suggesting a ban on AI platforms in schools, especially for those that are student-facing. Therefore, guidance released by states varies. In Oklahoma, students can now opt out of using AI tools, and school districts are required to share with families what student data is collected by AI. Virginia’s law supports innovative uses of AI through a pilot program to improve instruction and student engagement. Maryland officials will now require the education department to evaluate AI tools in use and release professional development materials. 

AP News: Innovation, Data Fixes Fuel Native American Graduation Gains at Federally Funded Schools

The U.S. Bureau of Indian Education serves over 40,000 indigenous students. In 2015, just over half of high school students graduated within four years. Now, the number is at a record high of 79%. The Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs shared that the improvements in graduation rates are due to changes in data reporting and certain local achievements. School staff removed flawed methods that inaccurately tracked graduation rates, such as labeling students who transferred to other schools as “dropouts.” They are also investing more resources in career and technical education classes for students who want to enter the workforce after graduation. One school in Mississippi saw the positive effects of student attendance during virtual schooling and maintained a virtual learning option to increase attendance. Tribal leaders are concerned that recent and proposed changes to the U.S. Department of Education could impact their students’ progress. 

The 74: Nebraska Head Starts Use Vests With ‘Talk Pedometers’ to Boost Early Literacy

Two- and three-year-olds at the Northeast Community Action Partnership Early Head Start in Norfolk, Nebraska, wear purple vests with recording devices inside to measure how often they are experiencing “conversational turns,” an exchange of words between a child and an adult. The program is a collaboration between the University of Nebraska’s Buffett Early Childhood Institute and the national nonprofit Lena, supporting 1,300 children across the state. After each day of recording, the data is analyzed, and teachers can see which children have fewer conversational turns. They are then coached by Lena staff on strategies to increase opportunities for children to talk, such as waiting for the child to respond, eye-level interactions, and more opportunities for reading and singing together. Recent studies have found that a high number of conversational turns is linked to increased early literacy skills, better cognitive and social development, and improved academic achievement. A June report found that children who participated in the initial five-week program increased their conversational turns by 21%.