What We’re Reading: Week of October 25, 2021

This week, we take a look at stories covering assessment during COVID-19, new CTE research, student supports, and more. Have a spooktacular Halloween, and thanks for reading with us!

Assessment
2021 testing participation varies widely — what will data mean for districts?, K-12 Dive
While testing experts are optimistic amid high participation in some states, they urge caution in interpretation, particularly at the local level.

Career-Technical Education
Research spotlights strategies to improve career and technical ed, K-12 Dive
A pair of reports released by Chiefs for Change detail strategies for strengthening career and technical education programs to expand students' access to clear pathways for jobs in high-paying, in-demand fields.

Student Supports
Pandemic, Racial Justice Fuel Surge in Demand for Social-Emotional Learning, EdWeek
The pandemic and rising concerns about racial justice over the past year and a half have fueled a surge in school district interest in and spending on social-emotional learning, according to a new report.

​​10 ways for schools to gain traction with social-emotional learning programs, Hechinger Report
Federal funding, parent demand and evidence of payoff fuels support for social-emotional learning in the classroom, but continuation may hinge on rebranding and local investment.

What happened to America’s teens when coronavirus disrupted high school?, Washington Post
Nearly half of teens said the pandemic had a negative impact on their academics.

Policy
K-12 funding needs more state, federal support to maximize equity, impact, K-12 Dive
Reports detail how pre-pandemic funding and spending practices can inform COVID-19 recovery strategy as fiscal cliffs loom for districts.

Practice
Who Wants a Bell Curve? The Strong Case for Mastery Learning in Math, EdSurge
Creating a system that allows all students the opportunity for mastery of fundamental mathematical concepts and confidence in their own mathematical reasoning is not easy, but we must try, writes COGx's Susanna Brock.