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The ratio of school counselors to students has improved by more than 5% for the ninth consecutive year, according to data from the American School Counselor Association. However, as pandemic relief funds run out, there are concerns that schools may lose their investments in counselors, social workers, and school psychologists. The national average ratio is still higher than the recommended ratio of 250 students to one counselor. Some states, such as New York and Indiana, have seen significant improvements in their counselor-to-student ratios. Despite financial concerns, experts believe that the positive trend in counselor ratios will continue, as there is a growing understanding of the essential role that school counselors play in meeting the goals of schools.

 

Education Week News

Six years after the Parkland shooting, the library at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School has become a sanctuary for mental health. Librarian Diana Haneski has curated a collection of resources that promote relaxation and escapism, including a "Zen den," a therapy dog, and literature that offers an escape from daily life. Haneski and other staff members who survived the shooting still carry their trauma, relying on the library for support. Despite restrictions on mental health lessons and book selections in Florida schools, Haneski remains committed to "keeping minds and doors open."

 

Bradenton.com

The Omaha Public Schools Board of Education in Nebraska has approved four finalists in its superintendent search, including Lee County Schools superintendent Christopher Bernier. Current Lee County school board members are not surprised by the interest in Bernier, as they believe he has done an excellent job. Bernier had announced in October 2023 that he would not seek re-election, after voters decided to change the role of Superintendent of Lee County school to an elected position. The board members have expressed their preparedness for either Bernier finishing his term or the need to select an interim superintendent. Bernier will have to give a 90-day notice if he decides not to complete his term.

 

WINK News

While school buses are generally considered the safest form of transportation, there are still concerns about their safety. School buses have built-in safety features, such as their size, bright yellow color, and compartmentalization technology. However, the lack of seat belts on most school buses remains a concern. Wearing seat belts could significantly reduce injuries and save lives, especially in side impact or rollover accidents. While federal legislation requires seat belts on smaller school buses, the majority of states do not mandate them on larger buses. The cost of installing seat belts on school buses is a major factor in the resistance to mandating them. Advocates argue that seat belts not only improve safety but also lead to fewer disciplinary problems and higher driver satisfaction. Despite the low number of fatalities involving school buses, experts believe that it is possible to further improve their safety.

 

Education Week News

Gadsden County Head Start is opening registration from March 26 to March 28. The program aims to provide a learning environment that supports children's growth in education. According to a teacher at Gadsden County's Head Start program, enrolling children in the program gives them a head start and prepares them for future grade levels. The program focuses on areas such as language, literacy, and social and emotional development. In 2022-2023 state testing, 28 percent of students in Gadsden County were at grade level or above in reading and language arts, showing a 14 percentage point increase from the beginning of the school year. The goal of Gadsden County Head Start is to equip children with the necessary skills for success. Shannon Peat Brown, the family service coordinator, believes that this program can benefit young kids as they enter K-12 and improve the county's overall performance in the classroom and beyond.

 

Tallahassee News

Experiments with bonuses and penalties in Ector County, TX, & Duval County, FL, demonstrate the effectiveness of outcomes-based contracting in improving district performance. According to Liz Cohen, policy director at FutureEd, an independent, nonpartisan think tank at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy, outcomes-based contracting should be a priority for every district. The experiments showed that by implementing bonuses and penalties, districts can effectively motivate teachers and administrators to achieve desired outcomes. This approach has the potential to significantly boost district performance and student achievement.

 

The 74 (Online)

After years of disappointing results, the Hillsborough County School District has turned to a method based on phonics that is said to show promise. The district commissioned a team of consultants to find out why student reading skills were deficient. The program, known as the University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI), has been implemented in several elementary schools and focuses on the science of reading, including phonics. The program addresses weaknesses in instruction for younger children and provides tools for teachers to track student progress. Phonics, which teaches decoding words through letters and letter sounds, has gained popularity in recent years and is now required in many states. The UFLI program's systematic approach and reinforcement of lessons have proven effective in improving reading skills. While phonics is important, the program also recognizes the importance of background knowledge, vocabulary, and language structures. The program has been successful in engaging students and improving their reading abilities.

 

Tampa Bay Times

With the hyperconservative group Moms for Liberty flooding school board races with candidates, a fifth candidate has entered the race for District 5 on the Pinellas County School Board. The race now consists of one moderate Republican, two Democrats, and two conservatives. Dawn Douglas, a Democrat, is running to counter conservative efforts to reshape school districts. The crowded race aims to replace Carol Cook, a moderate member who has served on the board for 24 years.

 

Florida Politics

Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-North Carolina, will not seek another term as chair of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Foxx is stepping down due to the expiration of a waiver that allowed her to circumvent GOP conference rules limiting the consecutive terms a chair can serve. Foxx chaired the committee between 2017 and 2019, and returned to the role in 2023 when Republicans reclaimed control of the House. Her current term ends January 2025.

 

K12 Dive