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

Studies on math interventions show that students exposed to “worked examples” improved by nearly half a standard deviation more than those who weren’t.

As Covid relief funds end, many people are facing more economic vulnerability.

Schools can help protect students from summertime declines in their mental health. 

To read more, click on the following links.

Research & Practice

A Social Care System Implemented in Pediatric Primary Care: A Cluster RCT
American Academy of Pediatrics: This study focused on assessing the implementation and impact of an augmented social care system, known as WE CARE, within pediatric primary care settings. The WE CARE system screened for social risk factors and needs during well-child visits, providing resource information referrals and incorporating a peer patient navigator. The research was conducted as a cluster randomized controlled trial in community health centers in Boston, Massachusetts. While the study aimed to improve health care utilization and child maltreatment outcomes for low income children, the results showed challenges in the implementation of the WE CARE system. Despite increased referrals and higher immunization rates for children in the WE CARE group, there were also unexpectedly higher rates of emergency department visits and hospitalizations compared to the control group. The study highlights the importance of addressing implementation barriers and considering potential unintended consequences when integrating social care systems into pediatric primary care.

Food Insecurity Linked to More Kids Accessing Mental Health Care in Ontario
NCBI: Researchers studied the association between household food insecurity and mental health service utilization among children and adolescents in Ontario, Canada. Using health administrative data and the Canadian Community Health Survey, the study examines the prevalence of outpatient and acute care visits for mental or substance use disorders in relation to household food insecurity. The findings indicate that children and adolescents from food-insecure households have a higher prevalence of health service contacts for mental or substance use disorders compared to those from food-secure households. The study highlights that even after accounting for key confounding factors, such as low household income and family structure, the association persists. The most common service contacts were related to neurodevelopmental disorders and mood or anxiety disorders. The research underscores the importance of addressing food insecurity as a potential social determinant of mental health outcomes among young individuals.

Want to Boost Math Learning? Show Students the Wrong Answers
Edweek: Introducing new math concepts using pre-solved examples significantly enhances student learning, with the right problem selection being crucial. Over 100 studies on math interventions reveal that students exposed to worked examples improved by nearly half a standard deviation more compared to non-users. This level of improvement equates to a student normally ranking at the 50th percentile performing above the 69th percentile. For students with knowledge gaps, analyzing both correct and incorrect examples can enhance understanding. However, problems lacking detail, goal clarification, or steps for solving hinder progress. Julie Booth and Allie Huyghe have developed “MathByExample,” offering free example-based lessons in elementary math and algebra. The method involves studying correct and incorrect solutions, identifying misconceptions, and applying insights to similar problems. The approach enhances discussions, comprehension, and misconceptions understanding, without altering curriculum pacing.

Policy

COVID Relief Funds Are an Overlooked Resource for Helping Homeless Students
The 74: Amid discussions about using federal pandemic relief funds for education challenges, the significant impact these funds could have on students who are homeless has been largely overlooked. Homeless children often go unnoticed as they shuffle between temporary accommodations, leading to chronic absenteeism and lower graduation rates. The American Rescue Plan provides $800 million for addressing the needs of homeless children and youth, benefiting 53% of school districts. Examples of ways to use funding include providing cell phones, transportation, mentors, and outreach specialists, distributing store cards for basic needs, offering dental care, glasses, and temporary hotel stays. It’s urgent to leverage the remaining year of federal funding to identify and support homeless students, a vital step in improving attendance, academic recovery, and student well-being.

The $5 trillion pandemic safety net changed lives. Now it’s over.
The Washington Post: Brittany Irick and her family put a face on the economic instability brought on by the removal of pandemic safety nets. Federal Covid support programs injected trillions into the economy, helping families weather the crisis. However, as this support wanes, economically vulnerable people are in a more precarious situation as they struggle to secure basic needs and stability. As rent relief ends, for example, more people are facing evictions and difficulty finding stable housing. There are also longer lines at food pantries. And organizations that provide assistance are strained. For millions of struggling Americans, the last three years may seem like a bait-and-switch — a glimpse of a nation-changing social agenda that was pulled down almost as soon it was in place.

Around the Nation

A Third of Homeless Students Are Chronically Absent. Would an ‘Attendance Culture’ Help?
EdSurge: Federal law mandates education for homeless students, yet challenges in delivering it persist. This support is important because homeless students face greater residual trauma from the pandemic, contributing to chronic absenteeism rates exceeding 37%, with some areas like Los Angeles seeing 70% absenteeism. To engage homeless students effectively, strategies like creating an “attendance culture,” using data for targeted interventions, and providing incentives such as pizza parties have shown success. The “attendance culture” approach emphasizes making school enjoyable and important for students, and combating isolation and disconnection. Utilizing data to identify students at risk of chronic absenteeism enables timely interventions. Incentives like pizza parties break isolation, empower students, and improve attendance rates. These efforts not only address the academic challenges faced by homeless students but also help create a supportive and engaging school environment.

Michigan Extends Program Offering Free Air Purifiers to K-12 Schools
The 74: The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is continuing its MI Safe School Indoor Air Ventilation program, offering free air purifiers to K-12 schools in the state. Since its inception in December 2022, the program has distributed over 42,600 air purification machines to 451 school districts across Michigan. The DHHS aims to enhance air quality in schools and prevent the spread of illness. The portable air purifiers, capable of trapping 99.9% of harmful particles like COVID-19, smoke, allergens, and more, can be used in classrooms and communal areas. The program aligns with updated CDC guidelines for air exchanges in schools and aims to support better academic outcomes and overall well-being.

Kids’ Mental Health Can Decline in the Summer. What Schools Can Do to Help
Edweek: During the summer, students’ mental health concerns may worsen without the structure and counseling resources of school. The risk of regression in mental health is particularly concerning given the pandemic’s impact on children’s mental well-being. Collaboration between schools, educators, and families is crucial in preventing regression. Schools often play a pivotal role in recognizing changes in students’ mental health, making communication with parents vital. Encouraging early access to summer services and open communication about a child’s mental well-being is key. Back-to-school strategies involve acknowledging changes students have undergone during the break, teaching behavioral expectations, and practicing essential skills. Orientation sessions, resource-rich summer programs, and maintaining routines are recommended to ensure a smoother transition and prevent regression in vulnerable students’ mental health.

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