COVID & College: Indiana Enrollment Declines, as Only 53% of HS Grads Continue
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According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, less than one-third of schools are using federal COVID relief funds to improve school facilities and air quality.
While some schools and districts have chosen to invest in portable or low-cost air filters and other technology, experts believe that they may be missing an opportunity to upgrade their air and climate systems, which could have a significant impact on students’ well-being and learning. Phyllis Jordan, associate director of FutureEd, a think tank at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy, stated, "If you look at the research, it shows that a school’s physical environment – the temperature, mold, and humidity – directly affects learning."
Another federal report indicates that even before the pandemic, over 36,000 schools needed upgrades to their air systems, and experts believe that this number has likely increased due to the pandemic.
In addition to the allocation of relief funds, here are seven other developments from around the country addressing the challenges posed by COVID-19 and its variants, as well as efforts to mitigate learning loss during the pandemic:
INDIANA – High School College Enrollment Rate Drops to 53%
Indiana has been experiencing a decline in enrollment, which began before the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued. State education officials recently announced a fifth consecutive year of shrinking enrollment, with a 1.8% decline or 110,000 students. Heather J. Hough, executive director of the Policy Analysis for California Education, raised the question of where these students are going, stating, "We don’t have satisfying data to answer that question."
MAINE – Gov. Janet Mills Expands Statewide Apprenticeship Programs with $12.3 Million Investment
Maine intends to significantly increase the number of apprenticeship programs available to students, as well as the number of businesses and companies sponsoring these opportunities. With over 3,000 apprenticeships spanning various industries such as healthcare, construction, plumbing, and engineering, Maine aims to provide students with valuable skills, credentials, and employment opportunities. Governor Janet Mills highlighted the positive impact of apprenticeships on wages, stating that apprentices who completed their programs in the last two years experienced a nearly 40% increase in wages, even during the pandemic.
MISSOURI – Rural School Districts Implement Four-Day School Weeks to Attract Teachers
Since 2010, a quarter of all school districts in Missouri have transitioned to a four-day school week in response to the growing national teacher shortage and the need to recruit and retain teachers in rural communities. While this change has made recruitment easier, it also underscores the ongoing challenges of low teacher salaries and difficult work conditions in these areas.
NEW JERSEY – Enhancements to Alternative Licensure Program Aim to Address Teacher Shortages
New Jersey recently passed several changes to strengthen its alternative licensure program in order to attract more individuals to teaching. These changes include allowing candidates who did not meet licensure test requirements or grade point average criteria to enter a coaching pilot program through the alternative licensure program. Supporters believe that these adjustments will remove barriers and enable qualified candidates to enter the teaching profession.
ARKANSAS – Governor Hutchinson Supports Proposal to Increase Minimum Teacher Salaries to $46,000
Governor Hutchinson is backing a proposal to raise the minimum salaries of teachers in Arkansas to $46,000. This initiative aims to improve teacher compensation and attract high-quality educators to the state.
Michigan recently passed a law that mandates high school students to complete a personal finance course in order to graduate. This decision aligns with a growing national trend of schools prioritizing financial literacy education for students. Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed her belief that it is crucial for graduates to possess a diverse set of skills and knowledge, including financial literacy.
In Texas, the implementation of discipline reform in Dallas Independent Schools has yielded positive outcomes in its first year. School and district leaders have reported promising results from their efforts. The establishment of "Reset Centers," where trained professionals work with students to address issues before they escalate to suspensions, has contributed to significant reductions in disciplinary actions and suspensions. Despite requiring approximately $4 million in federal recovery funds, the initiative has already generated cost savings of over $2 million.
This comprehensive update on education recovery during the pandemic shares news updates at the district, state, and national levels. It highlights the collective efforts of all stakeholders in developing safe and innovative plans to resume schooling and mitigate learning loss. This update is an extension of the Collaborative for Student Success’ QuickSheet newsletter, which you can subscribe to for more information.
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