A weekly resource for clinicians, administrators and educators to stay in the loop on the latest news and happenings in the K-12 education space, with a special focus on special education, teletherapy and mental health.
Special Education
EdSource: Special education funding should be more streamlined, report finds
Researchers from WestEd examine the California State Special Education Funding System and report that funding should be based on students’ needs, not attendance.
EdWeek: The Most Essential Features Districts Want in Social-Emotional Learning Products
EdWeek Market Brief surveyed district officials on which features of SEL products and programs are most important to them.
Yahoo! News: How parents can help kids deal with back-to-school anxiety
Experts share research on how parents can ease the burden of school-related anxiety for their students.
eSchool News: 3 ways to support students’ mental and behavioral health this fall
This article provides strategies to address students’ mental and behavioral health challenges as students return for full-time, in-person learning this fall.
FCC: The Clock Is Ticking – Apply Now For Emergency Connectivity Fund Program Support!
The Federal Communications Commission has a new program to help with unmet needs. The Emergency Connectivity Fund Program covers 100% of the reasonable costs of laptops, tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connectivity purchases for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons. Eligible schools and libraries must apply by August 13.
UPI: Online therapy effective, cheaper than in-person sessions for kids with OCD
Children with obsessive-compulsive disorder benefit from regular sessions with professional therapists conducted virtually over the Internet, according to a study published by JAMA Network Open.
Yale News: Study finds children with autism respond well to puppets
A new study by researchers at the Yale Child Study Center demonstrates that puppets can attract and hold the attention of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), raising the potential for developing more engaging therapies that strengthen social engagement and facilitate learning.
Education/EdTech
NPR: Students Need To Be In Classrooms, With Masks, This Fall, Education Secretary Says
The U.S. Department of Education releases a “Return to School Roadmap,” which encourages districts to invest in social and emotional support for students and outlines ways to “accelerate academic achievement.” The roadmap also recommends that school systems follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s masking guidance for K-12 schools, which the agency revised last week, recommending “universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status.”
The Buffalo News: Set up your kids for back-to-school success with these tips from pediatricians
Dr. Fred Archer and Dr. Sarah Ventre from UBMD Physicians Group share tips for parents as they prepare children for school in less than four weeks.
