Here’s the new edition of The Weekly Connect. Check it out and sign up to have it delivered to your inbox!
Here are some of the things we’ve been reading about this week:
A research study points to the educational benefits of combining math and music.
As Covid aid ends, Indiana schools focus on boosting students’ reading skills as well as preparing them for college and careers.
During the pandemic, schools lost track of homeless students, making it harder to provide them with services.
To read more, click on the following links.
Research & Practice
Bilingualism as a catalyst for social development in children
Science Daily: Children with greater language diversity, particularly those who grow up bilingual, tend to demonstrate enhanced social-cognitive learning. A study conducted by researchers from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) examined how bilingual children assess the reliability of communicative cues in different contexts. The research involved children aged three to five, who were tested on their ability to discern and trust reliable speakers in a laboratory space. The study found that bilingual children were more sensitive to contextual factors when assessing the informant’s reliability. They selectively trusted the informant based on their experience and knowledge about the informant’s accuracy in the past, showing a deeper understanding of communication nuances. These findings highlight that embracing bilingualism can foster important social-communication skills and improve educational outcomes for children from diverse backgrounds. Evidence from this research explores the impact of multilingualism in both childhood and adulthood and inspires a positive attitude towards language diversity.
Combining maths with music leads to higher scores, suggests review of 50 years of research
ScienceDaily: A meta-analysis of nearly 50 years of research from around the world suggests that children perform better in mathematics when music is an integral part of their lessons. The inclusion of music in math classes is believed to make the subject more enjoyable, engaging, and less anxiety-inducing for students. The study synthesized data from 55 research studies involving nearly 78,000 young people, and found that musical interventions, whether standard music lessons, instrumental training, or integrated music-math lessons, were associated with greater improvement in math performance over time. It also found that integrated music-math lessons had the most significant impact, with around 73% of students showing significant improvement compared to those without any musical intervention. The study suggests that integrating music into math lessons can be beneficial for student learning and appreciation of mathematics.
The (Lack of) Anticipatory Effects of the Social Safety Net on Human Capital Investment
NBER: A working paper by researchers from University of Chicago found that parents’ expectations about future government benefits affect their current investments in their child’s human capital. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with families of children who receive a cash welfare program for children and adults with disabilities. The findings show that most parents whose children receive this program overestimate the likelihood that their child will receive similar benefits in adulthood. However, this study also finds that reducing the expectation that children will receive benefits in adulthood does not increase the parents’ investments in their children’s human capital.
Policy
COVID aid ends, science of reading, vouchers: 5 things to watch as Indiana’s school year begins
Chalkbeat: As Indiana schools begin a new academic year, they face several changes due to new laws and policies. Student performance recovery after the pandemic is a priority, with a focus on evidence-based reading practices called the science of reading. Districts will evaluate reading curriculum and adopt approved materials by 2024-25. Literacy coaches will be introduced in schools with lower reading assessment pass rates. For older students, there’s an emphasis on college and career preparation, with high school seniors required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Career scholarship accounts and enrollment in the 21st Century Scholars program aim to provide workforce training opportunities. Indiana’s voucher program has been opened to almost all students, potentially impacting public school enrollment.
On the chopping block: The looming threat to America’s educational system
K-12 Dive: In this opinion piece, Suzan Harris, principal of Henderson Middle School in Georgia and member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals Board of Directors, expresses concern over a proposed bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would drastically cut federal education funding by 28%. The bill includes an 80% reduction in Title I funding, threatening the loss of 220,000 teachers nationwide, and eliminating youth public workforce programs and funding for social-emotional learning. Harris emphasizes the importance of these resources in supporting students during the academic and mental health crisis they face. She highlights how Title II funds have enabled professional development for teachers, leading to transformative ideas and improved classroom experiences. Harris urges collective action to advocate for adequate funding, emphasizing that investing in education will yield significant benefits for the future of the country.
Around the Nation
What Is an IEP? Individualized Education Programs Explained
Edweek: The number of students with disabilities has been increasing over the past decade, creating a special education teacher shortage. Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) have become crucial for special education students to receive tailored educational services. In the 2021-22 school year, 14.7% of all students nationwide were special education students, reaching an all-time high in 46 years. Despite the shortage of special education teachers, districts are required to meet the needs of these students under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IEPs are personalized programs outlining educational goals and services for students with disabilities. The goal is to integrate special education students into general education, allowing them to eventually follow the same curriculum. Proper implementation of IEPs can be challenging, especially with staffing shortages in schools. Additionally, not every student with disabilities qualifies for an IEP, with some covered under Section 504 plans for accommodations.
Schools lost track of homeless kids during the pandemic. Many face a steep path to recovery
AP News: Aaliyah Ibarra is a student who experienced homelessness during the pandemic — and she is one example of how schools struggled to identify and support homeless students during remote learning. Aaliyah’s family moved several times in search of stable housing, affecting her education. Remote learning posed additional challenges, and teachers were unaware of her homelessness. Many homeless students fell through the cracks during the pandemic as schools struggled to keep track of families with unstable housing, leading to a drop in the count of homeless students. As schools offer tutoring and counseling to help students catch up, identifying and supporting homeless students is urgent so that these students can receive essential support like transportation, free school uniforms, and other assistance. Fortunately, Aaliyah’s mother advocated for her education, and despite the challenges, she made progress academically at her new school.
71% of parents say kids experienced challenges last school year, survey shows. Here are the top stressors.
CBS News: A national survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the On Our Sleeves Movement for Children’s Mental Health revealed that 71% of American parents reported their children experienced challenges during the last school year. The top issues identified by parents included safety concerns (37%), academic challenges (26%), bullying (24%), ongoing pandemic-related social challenges (24%), and mental health challenges (22%). The survey results closely matched the expectations that parents had before the last school year. As the new school year approaches, experts stress the importance of understanding children’s thoughts and feelings about returning to the classroom and engaging in conversations with them to address any lingering issues. The study is part of a growing body of research highlighting the physical and mental well-being challenges faced by students.
Like what you see? Sign up to receive this summary in your inbox as soon as it is published.
