An increasing number of American Indian/Native Alaskan (AI/NA) students were considered chronically absent since the pandemic, 47 percent in the 2021–22 academic year compared to 30 percent in 2017–18. WestEd’s recent brief, “Missing More Than School: Reducing Chronic Absence for American Indian and Alaska Native Students,” explores the issue and offer strategies for improvement.
Author: Heather Kemp
CSBA webinar breaks down the basics of behavioral threat assessment
Creating a sense of trust within an education setting so community members feel comfortable reporting concerning behaviors is a key component to stopping potential incidents and keeping campuses safe, according to panelists at CSBA’s Nov. 21 webinar, “Spotting the Signals: Understanding behavioral threat assessment.”
Commission makes selections for new math instructional materials reviewers
At its last meeting of 2024, the Instructional Quality Commission (IQC) on Nov. 20 considered applications for instructional materials reviewers (IMRs) and content review experts (CREs) for the 2025 Mathematics Instructional Materials Adoption and voted on the list of individuals it is recommending to the State Board of Education (SBE).
Prioritizing outdoor learning in state-funded preschool programs
The National Institute for Early Education Research’s (NIEER) policy brief “State Policies and Guidance Relating to Outdoor and Nature-Based Experiences in Preschool” explores the potential academic, developmental and health benefits that outdoor and nature-based experiences can have for preschoolers.
Pediatricians recommend a trauma-informed approach to reduce suspensions, expulsions
To avoid the potential long-term negative impacts suspensions and expulsions can have on youth, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is advocating that schools implement a multidisciplinary, trauma-informed approach to support students and reduce the use of exclusionary discipline.
Experiences of transgender students detailed in CDC report
Transgender high school students face more severe challenges to their mental and physical health than their cisgender peers, according to an October report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Cybersecurity is still a priority for edtech leaders
In the 2023–24 academic year, artificial intelligence (AI) became more prevalent in classrooms, policies banning the use of cellphones at schools gained popularity and the U.S. Surgeon General issued a warning on the negative impacts of social media on youth mental health.
New tool shows student-teacher diversity gap by state, district
Dashboards displaying demographics on student-teacher racial diversity by state and district have been published by TNTP, an organization dedicated to creating more equitable outcomes for young people and ensuring they have access to effective educators.
School Boards in Action: 5 Questions with Kailee Watson, Desert Sands USD
“My passion for education stems from two main sources: my three children who are currently enrolled in our district, and my pride as a graduate of this district. I am dedicated to ensuring that all our students achieve success in their educational journeys.”
Updated school facilities can have short- and long-term benefits for students
Upgrading school facilities can have financial, academic and environmental benefits, according to a new brief from the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee. At an average age of 50 years old, many public school buildings are in desperate need of renovations. As it stands, an estimated 53 percent have never gotten any major work done. Investing in infrastructure is essential to ensuring the best outcomes for students.