Briefs

November 21, 2024 | The science of learning and development demonstrates that when young people maintain positive school-based relationships, their learning and well-being is supported and enhanced. Secondary school educators and staff can implement practices that prioritize relationships and caring in order to optimize student learning, well-being, and agency.

November 21, 2024 | The science of learning and development demonstrates the value of positive relationships for student success and well-being. Secondary schools can integrate structures to cultivate the conditions that enable healthy attachments to grow between teachers and students, as well as between and among school staff and students’ families.

October 18, 2024 | 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.

September 25, 2024 | 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.

September 25, 2024 | 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.

September 25, 2024 | 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.

August 21, 2024 | Changes to California's policies for English learners (EL), including EL-specific instructional materials and increased funding, could improve educational outcomes for these students. New research describes these policies and impacts on ELs' academic skills and English proficiency.

August 6, 2024 | Providing engaging learning experiences to all students requires school leaders to implement new school structures and classroom practices. Leadership programs can help school leaders acquire and apply the knowledge and skills needed to support this transformation, and policies can bolster adoption of the practices that lead to deeper learning.

July 31, 2024 | Where are the best places to teach in the United States? The worst? State profiles, drawn from more than 40 indicators, show that conditions such as salaries, working environment, and resources vary substantially from state to state and have significant impacts on attractiveness and equitable student access to well-prepared teachers.

May 10, 2024 | Teaching performance assessments (TPAs) are used by many states to assess candidates’ classroom readiness—a critical mission for preparation programs and the state agencies that approve programs and set licensure standards. Understanding the relationship between preparation experiences and TPA success can inform programmatic and policy decisions.