Latest News and Comment from Education

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Education Research Report

Education Research Report


Education Research Report


Ensuring safe, accessible drinking water in schools is a national health priority. The objective of this study was to i...

Ensuring safe, accessible drinking water in schools is a national health priority. The objective of this study was to identify whether there are differences in water quality, availability, and education- related practices in schools by demographic characteristics . Researchers analyzed data from the 2014 School Health Policies and Practices Study (SHPPS), a nationally representative, cross-sectio
Children and adolescents : More hours of daily screen time = lower psychological well-bein

Previous research on associations between screen time and psychological well-being among children and adolescents has been conflicting, leading some researchers to question the limits on screen time suggested by physician organizations. This study examined a large ( n = 40,337) national random sample of 2- to 17-year-old children and adolescents in the U.S. in 2016 that included comprehensive mea
Charter schools neglect promoting physical activity

Most youths fail to meet recommended public health recommendations for physical activity (PA) and schools have been assigned a key role in mitigating this problem. Charter school growth exploded recently, but little is known about these schools' support of PA. School websites offer public windows through which they can share information about their programs, policies, and values. This study compl
The role of the arts in STEM

Education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics has captured the attention of state policymakers who are concerned about preparing students for an evolving workforce. 1 By 2030, Institute for the Future estimates that 85 percent of the jobs that today’s K-12 learners will be doing haven’t been invented — demanding a workforce that is creative and prepared to respond innovatively to
ESSAassesments: increased chances for improper test uses and negative consequences for students, teachers and schools.

Between May and August of 2018, the federal government approved 44 proposals submitted by state departments of education to meet testing and accountability requirements under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015. As these states move towards implementing their federally approved plans for meeting external regulatory requirements for accountability, they face several challenges. They shou
Positive effects of preadolescent debate participation

This study estimates the effect of preadolescent debate participation on a variety of academic and engagement outcomes among a 10-year longitudinal sample of Baltimore City Public School System students. The effect of preadolescent Baltimore Urban Debate League participation for debaters was associated with increases in standardized test scores, a decreased likelihood of chronic absenteeism, and

MAR 01

Only 13 of 40 Large American Cities Meet Quality Benchmarks for Pre - K

A new report finds a growing number of a cities are creating new, local funding streams to establish and sustain Preschool - Kindergarten ( Pre-K ) programs, but many programs fail to meet minimum quality benchmarks that extensive research has shown deliver lasting benefits , while other cities do provide high - quality programs but reach too few children. “ Pre-K is a proven policy every city sh
Classroom emotional support predicts the development of the student-teacher relationship,

The current study reports the results of a study examining the relationship between classroom climate and the development of the student-teacher relationship for young children at-risk. Participants were 267 children and 93 early educators. All children were from low income backgrounds and were experiencing developmental concerns in the area of language, cognition or social-emotional development.
New York City: high-quality universal pre-k - significant variation by program setting and auspice n

In recent decades, state funding for preschool programs has more than tripled as more states are trying to create universal access to pre-k. Efforts to expand pre-k access typically include the use and coordination of multiple preschool settings, notably those found in public schools and private community-based organizations, which often have distinct goals, resources, requirements, funding sourc

FEB 28

Cultivating Positive Teacher–Student Relationships with the Establish–Maintain–Restore (EMR) Method

Strong teacher–student relationships have long been considered a foundational aspect of a positive school experience. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of the establish–maintain–restore (EMR) method for improving teacher–student relationships and students’ classroom behavior while providing elementary teachers with structured professional development and follow-up support.

FEB 27

Aspiring elementary teachers: over 50% fail their licensing test on their first attempt, 25% never earn a passing score

Complete report Each year a significant number of aspiring elementary teachers, having successfully completed their formal preparation, are still unable to become licensed professionals. That’s because an alarming number of candidates fail their licensing tests, far surpassing the failure rate for other professions’ entry tests, bar exams, and boards. The fact that more candidates fail than pass
Listening to music 'significantly impairs' creativity

The popular view that music enhances creativity has been challenged by researchers who say it has the opposite effect. Psychologists from the University of Central Lancashire, University of Gävle in Sweden and Lancaster University investigated the impact of background music on performance by presenting people with verbal insight problems that are believed to tap creativity. They found that backgr
Future trends in enrollments, teachers, high school graduates and expenditures

Enrollment in elementary and secondary schools is projected to increase by 4 percent between 2015 and 2027, following a 3 percent increase between 2002 and 2015, according to a newly released report. The National Center for Education Statistics released a new annual report today (Date), entitled Projections of Education Statistics to 2027 . This report provides national-level data on enrollment,

FEB 26

Nonwhite school districts get $23 Billion less than white districts despite serving the same number of students

Complete report The story of our communities can in many ways be told through the lens of the school districts that serve our children. More than organizations that enable learning, school districts are geographic boundaries that serve as magnifying lenses that allow us to focus on issues of race and wealth. They are both a statement of “what is” and “what could be” in our society. School distric
50-State Comparison: K-12 School Safety

Education Commission of the States researched K-12 school safety policies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to provide this comprehensive resource. This resource does not include district- or school-level policies, handbooks, manuals or other sources outside of state statute or regulations. Education Commission of the States does not provide legal advice on specific circumstances. The
Denver Public Schools’ pay-for-performance

In recent weeks, Denver Public Schools’ pay-for-performance plan burst into the spotlight as a key bone of contention in the district’s first teacher strike in 25 years. The strike ended February 14 after three days. But the performance plan remains in effect, albeit in modified form . In a recent article in Chalkbeat Colorado , Melanie Asmar traces the long history of ProComp, which was one of t

FEB 25

School-based health services and educational attainment

School-based health centers provide students with comprehensive, convenient primary health care, and some evidence indicates that they also contribute to academic achievement among adolescents. However, very little research has investigated possible long-term effects of specific types of school-based health services (SBHS) on educational attainment in adulthood. A new article from the Prevention
What was effect of offering breakfast in the classroom on obesity?

JAMA Pediatrics Offering breakfast in the classroom at some Philadelphia public schools did not affect the proportion of students developing overweight and obesity, when examined as a combined measure, after 2 ½ years. However, offering breakfast in the classroom did increase the proportion of students with obesity, although precise reasons for the increase are unknown. This study reports on a ran
Students in K–8 schools led by New Leaders principals outperformed comparison students

A growing body of research points to the ways in which principals influence teachers, classrooms, and, ultimately, student achievement. New Leaders aims to prepare transformational school leaders by partnering with districts and charter schools to offer rigorous, research-based training for aspiring principals. The Aspiring Principals program is New Leaders' signature program and has three core f


r Black and Latina/o youth who begin college as STEM majors are more likely to depart

This study considers whether STEM postsecondary fields stand apart via the disproportionate exclusion of Black and Latina/o youth. Utilizing national data from the Beginning Postsecondary Study (BPS), the authors investigate 
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