‘No child left offline’: Experts discuss the digital divide

Rural students, urban students in digitally redlined areas, Native American youth and students in non-traditional settings like adult education programs are among those most negatively impacted by the digital divide, according to Kristina Ishmael, deputy director for the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Education […]

Research highlights long-term economic impacts of addressing barriers to high school graduation

Addressing the systemic inequities that lead to higher rates of chronic absenteeism and disciplinary infractions and lower high school graduation rates among the most impacted student groups would benefit the children themselves, as well as society as a whole, according to a recent brief from […]

Study examines how one district is improving outcomes for foster youth

Family disruptions, trauma, out-of-home placements and school changes are common experiences among children in foster care, and often result in higher rates of disciplinary problems, grade repetition, special education placement and dropping out of high school, as well as lower academic achievement, and increased barriers […]

Experts call for lawmakers to continue funding the Affordable Connectivity Program

Congress must continue funding the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to further efforts to provide online access to all, according to a June 5 Brookings Institution Center for Technology Innovation panel. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) administers the $14 billion ACP, which provides up to $30 […]

Inclusion through athletics brings students together in Murrieta Valley USD

Decades of research has linked strong inclusionary practices to higher test scores and grade point averages, stronger math and literacy skills, and more developed communication and social skills among students with disabilities. Long-term benefits include an increased likelihood of enrolling in college and graduating, finding […]

New taskforce aims to address diversity in curriculum and more

Representatives from four textbook publishers committed June 21 before the special Taskforce on Inclusive Education to protect and provide student access to information free from discrimination and inclusive of the diverse narratives that reflect the student body of California. The new taskforce was convened following […]

Schools can be affirming, safe places for LGBTQ youth amid book ban disputes 

Public, sometimes vitriolic, debate surrounding student access to books that positively portray lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer/questioning (LGBTQ) characters can have negative impacts on children’s mental health and well-being, even if they don’t attend schools in districts where these conversations are taking place.   “Even […]

Extreme weather events’ impact on students with disabilities

The National Council on Disability on May 4 released the report, The Impacts of Extreme Weather Events on People with Disabilities, which includes an overview of past emergencies and recommendations to support mitigation efforts aimed at lessening the effects of catastrophic natural disasters on the more […]

New report recommends state and federal spending changes to better support homeless youth

Identifying and supporting homeless youth can be as difficult as it is crucial to ensuring equitable outcomes among some of a local educational agency’s most vulnerable students. Approximately 1.3 million students in the United States were identified as experiencing some form of homelessness in 2019–20 […]