Discipline Policy

Source: Ed Trust

Date: 11/2/2023

Creating Safer Schools: A Case Study

School safety and student well-being are crucial to the social, emotional, and academic development of young people. Simply put, students learn better when they feel safe. Many districts have turned to school security measures that offer visible signs or outward appearances of safety; however, other approaches - those that create positive and inclusive school climates - both support students' well-being and more effectively result in safe learning environments. This mixed-methods case study examines two urban school districts in the United States. After public calls to end policing in schools, leaders in these districts reformed both policy and practice to support student safety.

Student Achievement

Source: TNTP

Date: 11/8/2023

FALSE SIGNALS: How Pandemic-Era Grades Mislead Families and Threaten Student Learning

In the aftermath of the pandemic, public schools nationwide face profound challenges. Student test scores are down, absenteeism is at an all-time high, and educators are working tirelessly to bridge the learning gap. But research shows families believe that everything is back to normal or will be soon. Our new report, written with EdNavigator and Learning Heroes, explores this disconnect by looking at the relationship between attendance, learning, and grades-and the critical signals those grades are sending to families. We partnered with two school districts to analyze their data both before and after the pandemic. Across the board, more students were both chronically absent and not yet on grade level. But their grades, families' most trusted indicator of academic standing, tended to remain the same, or were even higher.

Teacher Education, Quality, and Professional Development / Reading Instruction

Source: NCTQ

Date: 11/7/2023

False Assurances: Many states' licensure tests don't signal whether elementary teachers understand reading instruction

NCTQ's new analysis of the quality of reading licensure tests required for elementary teachers reveals not only some bright spots and strong test options used in some states, but also systematic weaknesses in the tests many states use to vet new teachers. While this analysis focuses on tests required for general elementary teachers' certification, every teacher of elementary-age students, including those certified in special education or teaching English learners, should demonstrate their knowledge of reading instruction.

Review of The 123s of School Choice: What the Research Says About Private School Choice Programs in America, 2023 Edition

Source: EdChoice

Reviewed by: Christopher Lubienski, Indiana University

The 2023 (fifth) edition of a semi-regular EdChoice report about school-choice studies is billed as an updated overview of the varied and often contested research on outcomes in voucher-like programs that provide public funding for private schools. But like earlier editions, it uses flawed methods that tally certain voucher studies finding impacts on any subgroup, even if there was no effect on most students. There is little to no accounting for the studies' sampling, quality, generalizability, or other important factors.

Christopher Lubienski of Indiana University reviewed The 123s of School Choice: What the Research Says About Private School Choice Programs in America, 2023 Edition and found fault in its study-selection issues, a mis-weighting of studies of varied value, and a simplistic and often misleading design.

School Pulse Panel: Responses to the pandemic and efforts toward recovery

By: National Center for Education Statistics

The School Pulse Panel (SPP) is a monthly data collection of vital information in public education. SPP began as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic and served as a primary source of information regarding public schools' response to the pandemic. Beginning in the 2023-24 school year, SPP is expanding to collect data on a range of topics that have relevance for federal policymakers, stakeholders within the U.S. Department of Education, public school leaders across the country, and the general public.

GreatLakesCenter.org