NWCC Newsletter
The What Works Clearinghouse released a practice guide providing school educators and administrators with four evidence-based recommendations for reducing dropout rates in middle and high schools and improving high school graduation rates. Each recommendation provides specific, actionable strategies; examples of how to implement the recommended practices in schools; advice on how to overcome potential obstacles; and a description of the supporting evidence.
The College & Career Readiness & Success Center released a toolkit supporting states, districts, and schools that want to realize how competency-based education (CBE) can directly support students’ college and career readiness. The toolkit kit uses surveys from a recent CBE study to provide a comprehensive picture of CBE implementation in six research-based core areas: learning targets, measurement of learning, instructional approaches and supports, assessment of learning, pacing and progression, and when and where learning takes place. Users can then identify areas of strength and need in order to realize the full potential of CBE.
The Edunomics Lab, in partnership with the Building State Capacity and Productivity Center (BSCP), developed an Excel tool that enables users to preview school level expenditure information in a format that satisfies the ESSA financial transparency requirement. The survey requires users to paste in data from the NCES School Level Finance Survey (SLFS), the School District Finance Survey (F-33), and annual enrollment by school. Once data is entered, an analysis page is populated that allows users to filter by LEA and by school to see expenditures by location (school or central) and source of revenue.
Use the School Level Finance Survey (SLFS) Converter Tool Guide to provide additional information on the use and general tool navigation of the SLFS converter tool.
FutureEd released a report providing a comprehensive review of the fifth, "non-academic" measure of school quality or student success provisions in all 51 state ESSA plans, as well as the results of an analysis of federal chronic absenteeism data. Drawing on this research, they offer a roadmap for leveraging ESSA to keep more students in school and on a path to academic success.
The Education Commission of the States released the results of an information request, highlighting how states incorporate college and career readiness into their accountability systems under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The response includes state examples of accountability indicators, as well as additional resources.
The Aspen Institute released a research brief presenting a set of consensus statements—developed and unanimously signed onto by the Commission’s Council of Distinguished Scientists—that affirm the interconnectedness of social, emotional, and academic development as central to the learning process.
The brief draws from brain science, medicine, economics, psychology, and education research to describe why it is essential to address the social, emotional, and cognitive dimensions of learning; how these dimensions together shape students’ academic and life outcomes; and how these competencies can be taught throughout childhood, adolescence, and beyond. The evidence outlined in this brief moves the nation beyond the debate as to whether schools should attend to students’ social and emotional development, to how schools can integrate social, emotional, and academic development into their daily work.
The National Association of State Boards of Education’s (NASBE) latest journal issue of The State Education Standard looks at ways states can build upon their ESSA plans to ensure all students receive an excellent education.
Looking for a single place to find the latest news, events, and resources for schools, districts, and state education agencies in the Northwest? Then visit the newly redesigned Northwest Regional Comprehensive Center (NWCC) website! This information hub is tailored toward local and state education leaders.
|
