Briefs

January 31, 2019 | Research on early learning programs in the 1960s and 1970s revealed enormous benefits for children that lasted into adulthood, sparking investment in preschool programs, but two evaluations of large preschool programs that yielded mixed results created confusion about the wisdom of such investments. A review of rigorous and more recent research into the impact of preschool clarifies that students who attend high-quality preschool programs reap benefits that can last throughout their lives.

December 5, 2018 | Creating equitable and adequate school finance systems is a challenging-but-achievable task. It's also an essential one, as the cost of failing to properly invest in high-quality public education for all children impacts not just students but society at large. This new study shares essential state-level strategies and examples to help policymakers develop equitable and effective school finance systems.

October 15, 2018 | A study including a survey of California principals and interviews with principals, former principals, and superintendents finds that California’s education leaders experience only some elements of high-quality preparation and professional development, and often miss out on the most valuable elements of quality learning experiences. Moreover, their participation in professional learning opportunities that support them in leading schools that develop students’ deeper learning and social and emotional competencies is inconsistent. They do, however, want more of it.

October 15, 2018 | Teacher shortages have been worsening in California since 2015. In response, the state has invested nearly $200 million in programs aimed at recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers, but those programs will take time to yield the desired results. California needs to make additional investments to rapidly build the supply of qualified teachers where they are most needed and create incentives for experienced, effective teachers to re-enter and remain in the classroom.

October 3, 2018 | Chronic absenteeism disrupts student learning and impedes students’ success. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides opportunities for states to address it and other non-academic indicators that affect student success. This brief describes how states can use data on chronic absenteeism and what some states are doing, and suggests policies to reduce it. It is part of the report Making ESSA’s Equity Promise Real: State Strategies to Close the Opportunity Gap.

October 3, 2018 | Suspensions from school can disrupt student learning and inhibit students’ success. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides opportunities for states to address suspension rates and other non-academic indicators that affect student success. This brief describes how states can use data on suspensions, what some states are doing, and policies to reduce suspension rates. It is part of the report Making ESSA’s Equity Promise Real: State Strategies to Close the Opportunity Gap.

October 3, 2018 | A positive school climate supports student learning and success. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides opportunities for states to address it and other non-academic indicators that affect student success. This brief describes how states can use data on school climate and what some states are doing, and suggests policies to improve it. It is part of the report Making ESSA’s Equity Promise Real: State Strategies to Close the Opportunity Gap.

October 3, 2018 | College- and career-readiness is an important factor of student success. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides opportunities for states to address it and other non-academic indicators that affect student success. This brief describes how states can use data on college- and career-readiness to measure and expand access to curricula that prepare students for the modern economy. It is part of the report Making ESSA’s Equity Promise Real: State Strategies to Close the Opportunity Gap.

October 3, 2018 | Extended-year graduation rates track students that graduate high school in 5 or 6 years. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides opportunities for states to address this and other non-academic indicators that affect student success. This brief describes how states can use extended-year graduation rates to incentivize schools to continue working with struggling students to help them graduate. It is part of the report Making ESSA’s Equity Promise Real: State Strategies to Close the Opportunity Gap.

September 7, 2018 | Students living with the toxic stress and trauma of poverty and crime can struggle to learn. Research on science of learning and development shows that these struggles can be addressed through whole child and positive school climate approaches that support academic, physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development—systems that put students’ healthy growth and development at the center of the classroom.