Ed Insight, April 10

This weeks edition of Ed Insight provides a comprehensive overview of key developments and trends in the education sector. It covers various topics, including the impending teacher layoffs due to drying pandemic relief funds, the push for enhanced summer learning programs, and the adoption of student-centered grading approaches. The newsletter also discusses the importance of redefining science inquiry and explores the role of technology in education. Insights from a survey of public K-12 teachers shed light on their perspectives, while a Pew Research survey reveals public concerns about K-12 education. Additionally, this weeks newsletter highlights six key trends shaping K-12 education in 2024 and examines challenges in student engagement. Thank you for reading and be sure to share and subscribe to the newsletter to stay up to date on the latest news, information, and trends in the K-12 education space!

Below are 9 articles reviewed throughout the course of the week with a summary of each as well as a link to the individual articles.

Article: Teacher Layoffs Are Coming as Pandemic Relief Money for Schools Dries Up

https://www.edsurge.com/news/2024-03-27-teacher-layoffs-are-coming-as-pandemic-relief-money-for-schools-dries-up

Summary: School boards nationwide are facing budgetary challenges as they grapple with the impending loss of federal pandemic-relief funds. While the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) grants provided crucial support, the upcoming funding cliff has forced districts to confront difficult decisions regarding staff layoffs and program cuts. Declining student enrollment, exacerbated by the pandemic, along with factors like stagnant state funding and rising costs, further strain district budgets. Education experts warn of a "perfect storm of financial chaos," emphasizing the need for careful decision-making to mitigate disruptions to students and communities. As districts navigate these challenges, tough choices lie ahead, including staff reductions, program eliminations, and potential school closures.

Article: Learning shouldn’t take a summer break, White House and Ed Dept say

https://www.k12dive.com/news/summer-school-white-house-learning-recovery/710322/

Summary: Education officials from the White House and U.S. Department of Education are urging school districts to enhance their summer learning programs by providing rigorous and engaging courses. During a recent convening, leaders emphasized the importance of leveraging remaining COVID-19 emergency funds and other federal resources to ensure all students have access to high-quality summer learning opportunities. Examples from districts like Tuscaloosa City Schools in Alabama and Rochester City School District in New York showcased successful strategies for scaling up summer programs. President Biden's proposed fiscal year 2025 spending plan includes $8 billion for a new Academic Acceleration and Achievement grant program, aimed at supporting state and district initiatives for attendance, tutoring, and summer and extended learning. The bipartisan nature of these investments underscores their significance in addressing educational challenges. As districts seek funding support for expanded learning, federal formula funding programs and competitive grants offer potential avenues for financial assistance. This push for increased learning supports comes as districts transition away from spending federal COVID-19 emergency funds, with a focus on areas such as learning recovery, mental health, and technology access. I Let

Article: Students Choose Their Grading Criteria, and Here’s How It Went https://www.edutopia.org/article/letting-students-choose-their-grading-criteria ?

Summary: The article recounts the author's experience as a science teacher implementing a student-centered approach to end-of-year assessments. Following principles from Robyn R. Jackson's book, "Never Work Harder Than Your Students," the teacher allowed students to choose their own final projects, including topics and methods of demonstration. Through collaborative conversations and rubric adjustments, students tailored their assessments to their interests and abilities. The diverse projects fostered engagement and individualized learning, leading to increased student accountability and teacher-student connection. The author highlights the effectiveness of trusting students to take ownership of their learning, advocating for a more student-driven approach in education. Designing

Article: Science Inquiry: Claim + Evidence + Reasoning = Explanation https://www.edutopia.org/blog/science-inquiry-claim-evidence-reasoning-eric-brunsell ?

Summary: The article emphasizes the importance of curiosity in driving scientific inquiry and proposes a structured approach, the Claim, Evidence, Reasoning (CER) model, to guide students in constructing explanations. It outlines the steps involved in using the CER model, from posing questions to collecting data, and provides examples to illustrate each component. Additionally, practical strategies for implementing CER in the classroom, such as introducing concrete situations and providing peer critique, are suggested to support students in developing scientific explanations effectively.

Article: What Public K-12 Teachers Want Americans To Know About Teaching https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2024/04/04/what-public-k-12-teachers-want-americans-to-know-about-teaching/ ?

Summary: The article presents findings from a survey of 2,531 public K-12 teachers, highlighting their perspectives on various aspects of their profession and comparing them with public perceptions. It identifies six main themes derived from teachers' responses, including the challenges of teaching, teachers' dedication to their students, feelings of undervaluation and disrespect, concerns about low pay, the need for support and resources, and the importance of parental involvement. Additionally, the article examines public attitudes toward teachers, indicating widespread recognition of the difficulties teachers face and support for increased compensation, albeit with some differences along party lines.

Article: How technology is reinventing education https://news.stanford.edu/report/2024/02/14/technology-in-education/

Summary: The article explores how recent advancements in technology are reshaping education, with a focus on AI, immersive environments, gamification, and data-gathering. Educators and experts from Stanford University discuss the potential benefits and challenges associated with these trends. While technology offers opportunities for personalized learning and innovative teaching methods, there are concerns about equitable access, data privacy, and the need for critical thinking skills development. The article emphasizes the importance of thoughtful implementation and ongoing reflection to ensure technology enhances, rather than detracts from, educational outcomes.

Article: Public sees teachers’ personal politics driving K-12 in the wrong direction: Poll

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/2953801/public-sees-teachers-personal-politics-driving-k-12-in-the-wrong-direction-poll/

Summary: This article summarizes a Pew Research survey indicates growing concern among over half of U.S. adults about the direction of public K-12 education, with a primary reason being teachers incorporating personal politics and social views into the classroom. This sentiment is echoed by a significant portion of respondents who feel students are not adequately learning core competencies like math, reading, science, and civics. The politicization of education is perceived as detracting from fundamental subjects, leading to dissatisfaction among parents and a perception of diminished educational quality. The survey also highlights partisan differences, with a majority of Republicans expressing concern compared to a smaller but still significant portion of Democrats. Additionally, while lack of funding is cited as an issue, it is Democrats who are more likely to attribute this concern to the education system's challenges.

Article: 6 trends to watch in K-12 schools in 2024 https://www.eschoolnews.com/innovative-teaching/2024/03/04/6-trends-to-watch-in-k-12-schools-in-2024/

Summary: The article discusses six key trends shaping K-12 education in 2024:

• The rise of homeschooling, which has become a more permanent fixture post-pandemic.
• Increased parent power in making educational choices for their children, leading to diverse schooling arrangements.
• Growth in education savings accounts (ESAs), allowing families to spend funds on various educational services.
• Challenges faced by traditional school districts, including declining enrollments and a compliance-focused mindset.
• The emergence of "portraits of a graduate" and a rethinking of assessment methods.
• The push for career and technical education (CTE) for all students, recognizing that the "college-for-all" approach may not suit everyone and advocating for meaningful work-based learning experiences.

Article: K-12 Schools Struggle to Prepare, Excite Gen Z About Learning

https://news.gallup.com/opinion/gallup/507053/k12-schools-struggle-prepare-excite-gen-learning.aspxThe

Summary: Gallup and Walton Family Foundation-State of American Youth Survey reveals that U.S. students in grades 5-12 have given their schools an average grade of B- for the 2022-2023 school year. While 66% of students graded their schools positively, concerns remain, with 24% giving a grade of "C" or lower. The highest ratings were for safety and respect, while the lowest were for excitement about learning and preparation for the future. Middle school students were generally more positive than high school students across all metrics. Concerns were also raised about racial disparities in ratings of respect and physical safety, particularly among Black students. Overall, the survey suggests that while many students rate their schools positively, there is significant room for improvement in various aspects of the educational experience.