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

A survey finds that LGBTQ+ students who attend affirming schools have a lower risk of suicide. 

As supportive federal Covid funding expires, there could be a wave of child care center closures, making it hard for families to find care. 

The importance of providing academic support for students even after they graduate from high school. 

 

To read more, click on the following links.

Research & Practice

Want to increase resiliency in kids? Teach creativity
ScienceDaily: A study led by Angus Fletcher from Ohio State University found that training elementary school children in literary techniques, such as perspective shifting, counter-factual thinking, and causal thinking, improved their creativity in problem solving. The study involved training third, fourth, and fifth graders in these techniques to help them develop creative and practical ways to solve difficulties. The techniques, similar to those used successfully with the U.S. Army, aimed to boost children’s resilience and ability to come up with alternative solutions when faced with challenges. Results showed that training in perspective shifting helped children provide more creative and effective solutions to problems compared to those without the training. The study emphasizes the importance of teaching children creative thinking strategies to tackle real-world challenges effectively.

Unguided play can uncover learning moments
K-12 Dive: Ruslan Slutsky, a professor of teacher education at the University of Toledo, suggests that unguided playtime can foster students’ discovery and invention skills. While allowing students the freedom to explore their play world is important, teachers can observe playtime to gather insights into students’ interests, strengths, and social interactions. These observations can help educators tailor their curricula and teaching strategies. Slutsky recommends a subtle approach where teachers provide a gentle nudge if they see an opportunity to scaffold a learning or play experience, without turning playtime into a formal lesson. This balance allows teachers to support students’ development without interrupting the spontaneous discovery inherent in unguided play.

LGBTQ+ Students With Affirming Schools Report Lower Suicide Risk, Survey Finds
EdWeek: A survey by The Trevor Project, an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, reveals that several protective factors in schools can significantly reduce suicide risk among LGBTQ+ students. These factors include teachers respecting students’ pronouns, representation of LGBTQ+ people in history curriculum and sex education, access to gender-neutral restrooms, and the presence of gender and sexuality alliance clubs. About 70% of the surveyed middle and high school students reported having access to at least one protective factor. The presence of these factors was associated with a 26% lower odds of attempting suicide in the past year. The study emphasizes the importance of creating affirming environments for LGBTQ+ students.

Policy

Schools could be getting millions more from Medicaid. Why aren’t they?
NPR: Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide healthcare coverage to over 42 million children in the United States due to low family income or disabilities. While these programs have covered health services for students with disabilities, schools often struggle to tap into these funds. In 2022, federal and state Medicaid programs spent $6.6 billion on school-based services, mainly for students with disabilities. However, new guidance from Medicaid aims to expand these payments to cover services like mental health and common ailments such as asthma, potentially providing millions or even billions more for healthcare in schools. To benefit from this expansion, states and schools need to update their Medicaid plans and policies. The changes are designed to streamline billing processes and improve access to healthcare, reducing barriers for students in underserved communities.

A wave of child care center closures is coming as funding dries up
The Hechinger Report: The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provided $39 billion to stabilize the struggling child care industry in the United States, offering financial support to centers and educators during the pandemic. These funds prevented the closure of around 16,000 early childhood programs and maintained employment for over 1 million early childhood educators, benefiting more than 9.5 million children. However, the federal stabilization funds are set to expire at the end of September, leading to concerns about the industry’s future. An estimated 3.2 million children may lose access to child care if these funds are not replaced, particularly impacting states like Virginia, Arkansas, and West Virginia. Family child care providers, relying heavily on parent tuition payments, could also face dire consequences, leading to reduced choices for parents seeking child care. Without further federal support, many programs may have to be cut back or shut down, affecting parents, children, and the broader economy.

Indiana law on student names and pronouns leaves tough decisions to families and schools
Chalkbeat: Indiana’s implementation of a law (HEA 1608) requiring schools to disclose students’ requests to use new names and pronouns to parents has been marked by uncertainty and varying policies. The law mandates schools to inform at least one parent in writing if a student requests to change their name, pronoun, title, or other identifying word. However, there is a lack of guidance regarding how districts should notify parents, leaving students and educators to navigate the situation themselves. Some districts are exceeding the law’s requirements by demanding parental permission to use new names. Opponents argue that the law could endanger transgender students whose families aren’t supportive. The lack of clarity and differing approaches may lead to controversy and tension in school board meetings.

Around the Nation

An Experiment to Fight Pandemic-Era Learning Loss Launches in Richmond
ProPublica: Fairfield Court Elementary School in Richmond, Virginia, along with another local school, initiated a trial to add 20 extra days to the traditional 180-day school year. The move aims to address learning loss caused by the 18-month closure of schools during the pandemic. The extended school year pilot is being closely watched as a response to the decline in student achievement nationwide due to the pandemic. The first challenge was to ensure student attendance, with an 87% attendance rate achieved through targeted efforts and community engagement. The program is supported by additional federal funds and offers extra salary and incentives to teachers. If successful, the initiative may be expanded to other schools in the district.

Their Post-Grads Got Off Track. Then a Brooklyn High School Launched ’13th Grade’
The74: Dozens of young adults in Brooklyn, many facing challenges such as family responsibilities and halted education, have found success through a six-week “13th grade” Alumni Lab program at Bushwick’s Math, Engineering, and Science Academy Charter High School. The program, founded three years ago, supports disconnected youth—those not attending college and those who are unemployed. Participants include former high school grads aiming to kickstart sustainable careers, with alumni becoming computer scientists, healthcare technicians, carpenters, chefs, and more. The program fosters a supportive environment, addressing growth mindset, self-awareness, and goal-setting. Its success highlights the importance of continuing to support students post-graduation, filling a gap often overlooked in traditional education metrics.

Meet 7 School Therapy Dogs That Support Student and Staff Well-Being
EdWeek: In light of National Dog Day, many schools are highlighting their K-9 companions as the new school year approaches. An increasing number of K-12 schools are incorporating therapy dogs into classrooms to provide comfort and learning opportunities for students. These trained dogs participate in reading circles, counseling sessions, and motor skill exercises, benefiting students, including those with disabilities. Therapy dogs help boost student engagement and well-being, becoming unofficial school mascots. They come in various breeds, like poodles and golden retrievers, chosen for their gentle nature. Schools either train their own therapy dogs or invite trained dogs and handlers into classrooms. The use of therapy dogs can have a positive impact on student and staff welfare.

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