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

Learning recovery post-pandemic is slowest for vulnerable students, including those from low-income and special education backgrounds.

Expired pandemic aid has led to rising child poverty and food insecurity, with children of color most affected.

Instagram has introduced new safety measures to protect minors, responding to growing concerns about online child safety.

To read more, click on the following links.

Research & Practice

K-12 Dive: Mental health services least accessible for students most likely to seek them
A University of Southern California study reveals disparities in school-based mental health services, with only 29% of Black families and 37% of lower-income families reporting availability, compared to over half of White and higher-income families. The study links mental health struggles to chronic absenteeism and lower academic performance. Students who frequently miss school are more likely to exhibit behavioral issues and perform poorly in academics. In response, 14 states have committed to halving absenteeism rates within five years. Advocates stress the importance of addressing the root causes of absenteeism, particularly among Black, Latino, and low-income students. The report highlights that while pandemic relief increased mental health services in schools, those most in need still lack access. Approximately 20% of respondents, especially Black and Hispanic families, expressed they would have utilized mental health services if available. The findings underscore the need for schools to prioritize mental health and attendance for academic recovery.

The 74: Report: Parental ‘Apathy’ Blamed for Rise in Chronic Absenteeism
A recent survey by Rand Corp. found that district leaders are struggling to combat chronic absenteeism, with 25% stating that none of their strategies are effective. Common approaches, such as early warning systems, home visits, and family outreach, often meet resistance from parents, with some criticizing attendance reminders as “too harsh.” Districts report that parental attitudes toward school attendance have shifted since the pandemic, complicating efforts. While chronic absenteeism dropped from 28% nationally during the 2021-22 school year to 19% in 2023-24, it remains higher than pre-pandemic levels. Some districts, like Roseville City, provide practical support, such as gas cards, to assist families. Experts emphasize the need to strengthen student-staff relationships and to communicate the academic impact of poor attendance to families. Creative solutions, like community days and real-time absenteeism data, are also being explored to address the issue more effectively.

EdWeek: Students Fell Behind During the Pandemic. Who Stayed Behind?
A new report from the Center on Reinventing Public Education highlights that, despite some progress in addressing pandemic-related learning losses, significant gaps remain for vulnerable students. Many students, especially those with special needs, English learners, and those from low-income backgrounds, continue to lag behind pre-pandemic levels. The report indicates that while average recovery in math and reading is occurring, disparities are widening, with lower-income and special education students falling further behind. The potential expiration of federal recovery funds adds to the urgency, as ongoing challenges like low teacher morale and mental health issues threaten to exacerbate these gaps. The report calls for increased transparency in student performance data and urges schools to focus on effective recovery strategies, including high-dosage tutoring and improved special education services, to better support all students.

Policy

K-12 Dive: Food insecurity among children rises for 2nd year
Pandemic-era aid programs and policies, such as universal school meals and Medicaid expansions, helped reduce child poverty to record lows. However, with the expiration of these supports, child poverty rates have surged. In 2023, nearly 14% of U.S. children lived in poverty, up from the previous year, disproportionately affecting children of color. The U.S. Census Bureau’s supplemental poverty rate, which considers broader family resources and public supports, showed a similar rise in overall poverty. The increase in uninsured students and childhood poverty places additional strain on resource-limited schools, which are now providing more health and social services to help students. Rising poverty has long-term consequences, with many children remaining in poverty as adults, particularly among Black and Native American communities.

EdWeek: How Private School Choice Complicates Public School Budgets
The introduction of Iowa’s education savings accounts (ESAs) has significantly impacted the Iowa City school district. Last year, 470 students opted for ESAs, with over a quarter of them transitioning from public schools. This shift led to a loss of funding equivalent to 11 teaching positions, as the district’s budget relies heavily on enrollment numbers. Despite the ESA program’s expansion, the loss of students does not necessarily decrease overall expenses, as fixed costs remain. With projections indicating a potential increase in ESA participation, the district faces ongoing financial challenges, including staff reductions and delayed purchases. This situation highlights the broader concern of how expanding private school choice can create financial uncertainty and operational strain for public schools, particularly in states where school funding is closely tied to enrollment figures.

The New York Times: Instagram, Facing Pressure Over Child Safety Online, Unveils Sweeping Changes
Instagram has introduced new privacy measures to enhance safety for users under 18, amid growing concerns about children’s online experiences. Key changes include default private accounts for minors, restricted notifications from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and new parental supervision tools, like viewing the accounts their children have recently messaged. These efforts, led by Instagram head Adam Mosseri, aim to address issues like inappropriate content, contact, and excessive screen time. While teenagers can opt out of some settings, minors under 16 need parental consent to make accounts public. These measures follow broader scrutiny over social media’s impact on young students, including recent U.S. legislation promoting online child safety. Despite potential backlash from teens and impact on Meta’s business, Instagram is prioritizing a safer experience for young users. However, questions remain about effectiveness, especially with minors who misreport their age.

Around the Nation

Chalkbeat: Absenteeism in Indiana falls, but oldest and youngest students struggle with attendance the most
In Indiana, a third of high school seniors missed 18 or more days of school last year, reflecting persistent absenteeism issues despite some improvement from previous years. Chronic absenteeism dropped from 21% in 2021-22 to around 18% in 2023-24 but remains above pre-pandemic levels of 11% in 2019-20. The Indiana Department of Education introduced new dashboards to identify students needing intervention and is piloting an Early Warning Dashboard to predict and address graduation risks. The state has enacted legislation requiring schools to address absenteeism with parents, potentially leading to legal consequences for non-improvement. Despite these efforts, absenteeism remains a significant issue, impacting academic performance, with chronically absent students performing worse on standardized tests compared to their peers.

The 74: Cellphone Roulette: Students Face a Jumble of Restrictions in Maryland’s Schools
Cell phone policies in Maryland schools vary, with Prince George’s County, where eighth-grader Jamée Maiden attends, limiting cell phone use during instructional time. While some districts allow limited use during non-instructional times like lunch, others, like Montgomery County, are piloting “away all day” programs to restrict phone access. Nationwide, concerns about cell phones’ impact on learning have led states like Florida, Louisiana, and South Carolina to implement stricter statewide bans during class. Educators cite distractions from social media as a major issue, while advocates argue for balance, noting the importance of phones for safety and communication. Experts suggest disabling social media while allowing phone use for emergencies or educational purposes.

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