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Millions of additional students in schools serving low-income communities across the country will be eligible to receive breakfast and lunch at no cost, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday. The department is expanding access to the Community Eligibility Provision, which is a meal service option that allows schools to provide no-cost meals to all students. Previously, at least 40% of students’ households had to be enrolled in income-based federal assistance programs to be eligible. The new rule lowers that threshold to 25%. Grants worth $30m from the Healthy Meals Incentives will be distributed to 264 rural school districts across the country. Another $30m in equipment grants will be given to states and school districts with school lunch programs. About $11m in Farm to School grants will be used to serve 1.2m children. Eight states, including California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Vermont, already allow schools to serve free meals to all of their students.

 

The Hill

USA Today

Hear Tips from Dyscalculia Experts

Do you have students that say they “can’t do math?” Students with math deficiencies may be suffering from dyscalculia. Dyscalculia refers to having difficulty in mathematical performance resulting from impairment in parts of the brain that are involved in mathematical processing. People with dyscalculia often have trouble with basic math skills, such as counting, adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. They may also have difficulty with more complex math concepts, such as fractions, decimals, and percentages. As a result, students with dyscalculia may struggle in math classes, develop anxiety, and be at risk for failing or dropping out of school. There’s so much to learn about dyscalculia, so HMH has partnered with EdWeb to bring you a webinar to foster awareness, understanding, and empathy for those facing mathematical challenges.

Register for the EdWeb webinar, Understanding Dyscalculia: Navigating Challenges in Mathematical Learning, happening Wednesday, October 4, 2023 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT. Presented by Dr. Bettina Pedemonte, Neurology Researcher at UCSF Memory and Aging Specializing in Dyscalculia; and Natalie Bell, Math Curriculum Specialist and Instructional Coach, Charles Armstrong School.

 

Early learning and childcare advocates are warning of a dearth of childcare places as temporary pandemic-era funding expires September 30. According to a survey conducted by the RAPID Project at Stanford University’s Center on Early Childhood Education, nearly 25% of childcare programs would have folded without the federal emergency funding. The American Rescue Plan, which went into effect March 2021, provided $23.97bn for childcare stabilization grants to states, territories, and tribes based on the current Childcare and Development Block Grant formula. The funding was specifically targeted to help the childcare industry meet the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to calculations by The Century Foundation, an estimated 3.2m children will lose access to childcare, and about 70,000 childcare programs will close once the stabilization funds run out.

 

K12 Dive

Legislative and health officials in Maryland are promoting a new state grant opportunity to help combat increasing mental health challenges. The grant aims to provide better behavioral health services in schools. At a press conference last week, Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore) said that the $120m grant funding is a “historic investment” in the mental health and well-being of Maryland students, as kids today face "a barrage of new stressors that previous generations were less exposed to."

 

The 74 (Online)

California and Florida have become the first states to require later school start times, in part a response to the mental health crisis affecting teens. The new laws, which mandate high school classes to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m., aim to help adolescents get more sleep. However, implementing these changes comes with challenges such as disrupted bus schedules and new schedules for teachers and staff. Other states have faced opposition from school districts and parents concerned about budget and family schedules. Numerous studies have shown that later start times improve grades, reduce juvenile crime, and enhance sports performance.  Lawmakers in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Texas all had bills up this year, according to Start School Later, an advocacy group that tracks the bills, though most didn't pass. Notably, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends high schools to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m.

 

Missoulian

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is considering a resolution that would exclude 346 schools serving vulnerable student populations from co-location arrangements with charter schools. The resolution aims to prioritize the needs of vulnerable students by making the co-location process more rational. The proposed criteria would guide the placement of new charter schools and increase oversight of charter school co-locations. Supporters argue that sharing campus spaces has led to hostile environments for children and challenges in securing necessary resources. However, opponents claim that the resolution would split up more charter campuses and prolong commutes for disadvantaged students. The resolution comes as LAUSD faces declining enrollment and increased efforts to retain and increase student populations, which will be familiar to districts nationwide.

 

EdSource

Wisconsin state superintendent Jill Underly made diversity the central theme of her annual "State of Education" address. She called for leaders to address discrimination, celebrate diverse backgrounds, and stop banning books. She also highlighted the new legislation that requires phonics-based reading curriculum, which she worked on with Republican lawmakers. She also emphasized the importance of safety for LGBTQ+ students and honored five Teachers of the Year. Underly's message focused on creating inclusive and supportive environments for students, where they can study complicated histories, have meaningful discussions, and learn how to be involved citizens in a diverse world.

 

JS online

John Bailey, a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a fellow at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, who previously served in the White House, U.S. Department of Education and also worked on pandemic preparedness at the U.S. Department of Commerce, provides insights into how the pandemic continues to shape the education sector. Bailey emphasizes the need for policymakers to address the issues arising from remote learning, student mental health, and the digital divide. He also underlines the role of technology in facilitating remote learning and the importance of equity in access to resources. Overall, Bailey concludes, the pandemic has brought about significant transformations in schools and education policy, requiring innovative solutions to ensure quality education for all students.

 

The 74 (Online)