1. An American Educational Research Association study that followed 814 low-, middle-, and high-income children for 26 years found that, most high-income children experience 6 or more “opportunities” between birth and high school. However, 66% of those from low-income families have had none or just one such “opportunity.”
Its conclusion: “The opportunity gap appears to be a more powerful predictor of future educational attainment and earnings than childhood poverty alone… and recommends that policies consider solutions that tackle as many environments in a child’s life as possible.”
- The finding from a recent NWEA data analysis of some 7.7 million students, grades 3 to 8, showed “the extent of unfinished learning and that:
- Between pre-Covid and Covid test scores, the gap widened in average test scores across those grades—46% in reading and 18% in math.
- The average student still needs “the equivalent of 4.8 months of schooling to get up to speed in reading and 4.3 months in math.”
- In 1975, Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to fund all special education students “equivalent to 40% of the nationwide average per-pupil cost of K-12 education.” However, as it turns out, the federal government hasn’t even come close to keeping its promise, so school districts must sometimes short-change other priorities.
- A recent National Parents Union poll of some 1,500 parents found that 78% of those whose kids take their mobiles to school do so in case of an emergency. Plus…a) 48% cited coordinating transportation needs.
b) 45% cited mental health and other needs.
c) 88% said their schools already limit cellphone use—at least to some degree.
d) 79% said they’d never been asked for their input or feedback re: cellphones.
e) 76% said policies are already preventing phones from distracting instruction;
f) 72% of teachers said phones are a distraction and a major problem. - In March 2021, Congress passed the biggest round of K-12 pandemic relief known as ESSER III totaling $122 billion. According to the U.S. Department of Education, districts and state education departments have now committed $100 billion of those dollars. Of note, however: altogether the federal government gave K-12 schools nationwide about $200 billion in pandemic aid between 2020 and 2024.
- The latest grading system on the scene is called “standards-based grading”—no letter grades involved. Instead, it provides a list of specific skills students should learn and their progress. It’s also known as proficiency-based grading and standards-and-mastery-based grading.|
- A recent Fordham Institute analysis of 500 “strained schools” that are close to closing, found that they have lost 20% or more of their students since the pandemic. Before that happens, its recommended that these schools “increase family engagement, provide “high-dose tutoring, and address community relations concerns.” Reportedly, some 5,100 of our 98,000 schools are hemorrhaging students.
- Schools now are now faced with “the rising threat of Internet-enabled sexual harassment,” finds the Center for Democracy and Technology:
- 40% of students and 29% of teachers know of a “deep fake” targeting someone in their school during this 2023-24 school year.
- Just 19% of students said their schools explained deepfakes.
- Just 13% of students are told about a deepfake’s effect; and
- Just15% of students know whom to tell when aware of a deepfake.
And so it goes, school-wise, this week…
~ With many thanks and good wishes, Carol
