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

Schools can support teenagers who are looking for online mental health resources. 

States are enacting school cell phone bans.

Infusing joy in student and staff learning.

To read more, click on the following links.

Research & Practice

The Washington Post: Four years after Covid, many students still losing ground
Despite initial signs of academic recovery since COVID, recent research indicates that many students are falling further behind. Tests from winter and spring 2024 show widening gaps in achievement compared to pre-pandemic levels, with older students struggling more. The expiration of federal COVID relief funds makes addressing this issue more urgent. Experts suggest that teaching missed content alongside new material is challenging. Data from NWEA, Curriculum Associates, and Renaissance reveal that while younger students are closing some gaps, older students need much more time to catch up. Efforts to improve attendance are crucial for academic recovery, but chronic absenteeism remains a major barrier to student achievement.

JamaNetwork: Screen Media Use and Mental Health of Children and Adolescents: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial
Reducing leisure-time screen media use significantly improves mental health in children and adolescents, according to a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial involving 89 families (181 children). Over a two-week period, reduced screen time led to fewer behavioral difficulties, particularly internalizing issues such as emotional problems and peer difficulties, and improved prosocial behavior. The study, conducted in Danish homes, revealed that limiting screen use to three hours per week yielded a statistically significant positive impact on psychological symptoms. This research supports a causal link between reduced screen time and enhanced mental health, emphasizing the need for ongoing efforts to manage screen media use among youth.

EdWeek: Teens Are Looking for Mental Health Support Online. What That Means for Schools
A recent Common Sense report reveals that over half of young people regularly seek mental health information online and use support apps. However, the quality of these resources varies, prompting experts to emphasize the role of schools in providing reliable support. The report, based on a survey of 1,274 youths aged 14-22, found that 65% have searched online for behavioral health topics, 54% have used mental health apps, and 26% have attended online therapy. Young people often verify online information and use apps for meditation, mindfulness, and habit tracking. Experts suggest that schools can guide students in identifying trustworthy resources and provide access to school-based mental health professionals, highlighting the need for more accessible mental health support within educational settings.

Policy

Route Fifty: States are enacting school cellphone bans. Here’s what that looks like.
State lawmakers have been working to curb social media’s addictive qualities to address the youth mental health crisis. Virginia’s Governor Glenn Youngkin signed an executive order to regulate cellphone use in schools, tasking the state Department of Education to draft guidance for restricting or eliminating cellphone use during instructional time. This initiative aims to create a healthier educational environment. Similar actions have been taken in Utah, Ohio, and other states, with legislation either requiring or encouraging school districts to minimize cellphone use. Supporters argue that such bans can improve learning and reduce bullying, while critics caution against disregarding the educational benefits of technology. Cooperation between government, schools, parents, and teachers is emphasized for effective implementation.
See Also: NYC Planning a School Cellphone Ban for February, Principals Say

Chalkbeat: Summer EBT delays have left families waiting weeks or months for crucial food benefits
Millions of children in six states will receive federally backed Summer EBT food benefits just before school starts, while half a million kids in Delaware, Montana, and Nevada won’t get them until the new school year begins. The Summer EBT program provides low-income families with $120 per school-age child for groceries. Delays and start-up challenges have complicated the rollout, with many states identifying more eligible children than expected. This has left families scrambling, despite some states managing timely distribution. States with successful rollouts credit early planning and constant communication. Moving forward, officials aim to issue benefits earlier and improve the system’s efficiency.
See Also: A new law will help some NH schools access local food

Around the Nation

Ed Source: ‘Looking at the whole child’: State leaders discuss ways to improve students’ mental health
In California, at the Select Committee on School Climate and Student Safety meeting, experts emphasized the importance of increasing mental health professionals on campuses, training teachers, and reducing stigma around mental illness to support student well-being. Students in California are still facing mental health challenges post Covid-19, prompting districts to implement various support strategies. State Senator Susan Rubio stressed the need to highlight current student mental health issues and explore solutions. Schools often lack sufficient mental health staff, with California having high student-to-psychologist and student-to-social worker ratios. Progress has been made in reducing counselor-to-student ratios, but more is needed. Involving teachers in mental health protocols and creating supportive environments is crucial. Reducing stigma around mental illness is also key, with some districts using Telehealth and peer counseling to expand access. The meeting highlighted the shift towards a holistic approach to student health, emphasizing prevention and early identification of mental health issues.

K-12 Dive: How 2 school leaders infuse joy in student and staff learning
At the National Conference on School Leadership, Wendy Crocker-Roberge shared how Pyne Arts Magnet School improved attendance and academic scores by shifting focus from traditional literacy to integrating arts like dance into core subjects. This approach, driven by a mindset change and strong professional development, helped enhance student engagement and performance without harming test scores. Similarly, David Anderson from S. Christa McAuliffe Elementary used data to address low attendance by introducing engaging activities on historically low-attendance days. Both leaders emphasized the importance of dynamic professional development for teachers to inspire similar innovative practices in their classrooms.

Kansas Reflector: New $2.5 million Medicaid grant will expand mental health services in Kansas schools
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Kansas Medicaid have secured $2.5 million to enhance school-based services, including in-school mental health services and increased Medicaid outreach. Announced on June 25, the grant aims to expand Medicaid health services for children and families within schools. The United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, which applied for the grant, views it as a win for all Kansas schools, enabling them to offer more comprehensive health services and receive reimbursements. The grant will help normalize healthcare access for students by providing services during school hours, and addressing transportation and accessibility issues. It will also expand mental health services, previously limited to specific educational plans, to a broader student population. This funding is seen as a pivotal step towards improving school health services and overall health outcomes for Kansas children and families.

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