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In 2021, California began a significant expansion of PreK, including expanding state funding for transitional kindergarten and a legislative commitment to maintain other federally and state-funded PreK options for income-eligible families. Data show promising increases in enrollment of 4-year-olds, both in absolute terms and relative to trends in other states.
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Since the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act, state assessments have prioritized easily generated, comparable scores, often at the expense of teaching and learning. States looking to improve assessments can draw from those that have redesigned systems to align with research on student learning and student-centered instruction.
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Teacher shortages are widespread, yet layoffs occur annually. This paradox stems from converging factors such as state and local funding decisions, fluctuations in public school enrollment, and the impending expiration of federal ESSER funds.
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The science of learning and development reveals how to design high schools so that learners can thrive in environments that support individualized development; where they have strong, supportive relationships; and where their social, emotional, physical, and cognitive needs are met.
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New Mexico supports community schools statewide, including in Roswell, where a middle and high school have created a nourishing school climate and culture by providing culturally responsive and restorative spaces, opportunities for student voice and engagement, and a social safety net to address out-of-school learning barriers.
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This rural New Mexico district implemented the community schools strategy in 2021, emphasizing project-based learning, family and community engagement, and physical and mental wellness. Since then, attendance at school events has dramatically increased, chronic absenteeism has decreased, and the graduation rate has increased.
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Since adopting a community school strategy in 2018, Los Padillas Elementary School has seen improvements in school climate, chronic absenteeism, attendance, academic performance, teacher retention, and enrollment. Their approach centers on culturally relevant and community-connected learning.
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This interactive tool allows policymakers and practitioners to estimate the financial cost of teacher turnover and then make informed policy decisions and investments that better attract, support, and retain a high-quality teacher workforce.
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In 2022, nearly 13.8 million students were chronically absent—missing 18 days of school or more. Students miss school for a wide range of reasons, and frequent absences can cause students to fall behind. Community schools are a research-based strategy that schools can adopt to address the issues underlying chronic absenteeism.
Linda Darling-HammondMatt AlexanderLaura E. Hernández
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The traditional factory model of school does not prepare students for our modern global economy. To meet student needs, research points to 10 features for redesigning schools that foster deeper learning, stronger relationships, and equitable outcomes for students.
