Think Twice Weekly Report
AUGUST 10, 2024 - AUGUST 16, 2024
The Think Twice Weekly Report compiles public education-related policy reports, research and articles of interest to policymakers, educators and stakeholders. This list is not exhaustive but is meant to highlight recent reports that may be used to support or undermine the work of our subscribers in supporting public schools. We encourage you to take a moment to scan these reports and determine if they may be used by policy makers to assist or erode your mission.
Policy Reports
K-12 Education
Source: EdChoice
Date: 8/14/2024
2024 SCHOOLING IN AMERICA: Public Opinion on K-12 Education, Transparency, Technology, and School Choice
Our annual SIA survey, in partnership with Braun Research, provides an opportunity to assess how Americans' perspectives on K-12 education have shifted over the last decade. Over the course of the survey's 12-year history, we have asked a set of recurring questions regarding the direction of K-12 education, parents' satisfaction with their children's schooling experience, and feelings towards educational choice policies. Additionally, a set of new questions are included each year that gauge parents' opinions on more timely issues pertaining to K-12 education. New SIA questions this year focus on issues like technologies in schools and the classroom, accountability and transparency, and awareness of educational choice policies.
Reports Reviewed
GLC seeks to ensure that policy briefs impacting education reform are based on sound, credible academic research. Below are reviews conducted with GLC support.
Review of The Broken Pipeline: Advanced Education Policies at the Local Level
Source: Thomas B. Fordham Institute
Reviewed by: Eunice S. Han, University of Utah
A recent Thomas B. Fordham Institute report describes current policies and practices at the district level across the U.S. that are designed to provide what the report calls advanced and gifted education. A review of the report determines, however, that its conclusions and policy suggestions lack validity.
In her review of The Broken Pipeline: Advanced Education Policies at the Local Level, Eunice S. Han of the University of Utah finds murky terminology, a lack of evidence-based indicators, and issues with the data sources and analyses.
What We're Reading
Research and articles that we want to highlight for subscribers as potential resources:
What education could look like under Trump and Vance
By: The Hecinger Report
The former president and his running mate hope to restructure early education, K-12 schools and the nation's colleges and universities, if elected. This article also contains links to a story regarding education under a Harris Walz administration.
Top legal hurdles facing schools in 2024-25
By: Naaz Modan, K-12 Dive
From First Amendment and Title IX issues to DEI concerns, lawsuits show no signs of letting up as the new school year opens.
People Are Hunting for Education 'Fads.' What Does That Say About Schools?
By: Daniel Mollenkamp, EdSurge
". . . reform movements appear to be caught in a loop, attempting similar changes "again and again." But it's not that schools are constantly being burned by the latest craze. It's that they're suffering from deep structural problems, and they seem not to learn from the long history of school reforms."
The Teachers are Not All Right: Improving the Mental Well-being of Teachers and Their Students
By: Holly Kurtz, EdWeek
"The results come as classrooms are facing increased scrutiny and politicization, students are grappling with mental health concerns and increasing behavioral challenges, and teachers' pay remains low." The report includes five key takeaways that may be helpful to leaders.
How an Iowa district plans to embrace AI in the new school year
By: Anna Merod, K-12 Dive
Starting this fall, Iowa City Community School District will pilot new AI guidelines governing how the technology is used in the classroom. This article also contains links to good resources for those working to develop their own guidelines.
About the Think Twice think tank review project
The goal of the Think Twice project is to provide the public, policymakers and the press with timely academically sound reviews of selected think tank publications. The Think Twice project is funded by the Great Lakes Center for Education Research and Practice. The reviews that are part of this project are expert third-party reviews produced by the National Education Policy Center.
About the Great Lakes Center for Education Research & Practice
The Great Lakes Center for Education Research and Practice is an independent nonprofit organization supported by education stakeholders across the country. The mission of the Great Lakes Center is to support and disseminate high quality research and review of research for the purpose of informing education policy and to develop research-based resources for us by those who advocate for education reform.
