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Policy News You Can Use: July 2016
How legislation and policy changes affect children's well-being
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Founded in 1978, Committee for Children is a global nonprofit dedicated to fostering the safety and well-being of children through education and advocacy. We work on the federal, state, and local level to prevent bullying, violence, and child abuse and to encourage teaching social-emotional skills to children and youth. Read on to learn the latest news affecting our priorities as well as opportunities to advocate for change.
Please forward this newsletter to other colleagues who are interested in these topics. And feel free to submit timely news on these topics from your state or region. I look forward to your feedback!
Carol Wood, Advocacy Specialist
[email protected]
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Gun Control and Child Safety
In light of recent mass shootings and the statistics on gun violence across the country, Committee for Children is reiterating its policy on gun control and child safety. CFC's vision is safe children thriving in a peaceful world. Because children and youth are often the unintended victims of gun violence, we support gun control and responsible gun ownership legislation. CFC urges districts and educators to use our gun safety lesson resources with students in Kindergarten-Grade 3.
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Reauthorization of Perkins
On July 7, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce unanimously approved H.R. 5587, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. Sponsored by Rep. Thompson (R-PA), the legislation reauthorizes and reforms the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act to help more Americans enter the workforce with the training they need to compete for in-demand jobs. From our perspective, two important additions have been made to the bill: it explicitly calls out employability skills as a purpose of career and technical education programs alongside academic knowledge and technical skills, and it allows funding to support "the integration of employability skills into career and technical education programs and programs of study."
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Public Health Response to Child Sexual Abuse
Child sexual abuse is endemic, affecting one in eight children globally. Weak institutional and societal protection of children has resulted in victimization, health consequences, unwanted pregnancy, spread of HIV, and large socioeconomic costs. Designating mandatory reporters (doctors, nurses, teachers, and police) has helped in identifying cases of abuse, but further measures are needed to aid prevention efforts. According to a
recent study
, raising
awareness and empathy is essential to promote new public health responses. Listen to this
webinar
,
"Why Prevention Policy? Why Now?" to learn about the six pillars of prevention.
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Money Talks
Activity around the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) continued in June, with a June 23 hearing on next steps (summarized in this PDF) and passage of the bipartisan Senate Appropriation Education bill. The Senate bill increased support for Title I, decreased Title II funding for professional development, and set Title IV, Part A funding (which allows for SEL as part of a well-rounded education) at $300 million. On July 6, the House Appropriations Committee released the draft fiscal year 2017 Labor, Health, and Human Services (LHHS) funding bill, which included $1 billion for Title IV, Part A. This is $500 million more than the President's budget and $700 million more than the Senate proposal. On returning from summer recess, the Senate and House will need to resolve these differences.
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Mindfulness Matters
Many children are growing up in toxic stress environments that cause them to act out. They may have difficulty focusing and building trusting relationships. Neurological research shows that traumatic experiences, including poverty and living in an unsafe neighborhood, can transform the developing brain. Researchers and practitioners are rethinking their approach to helping these children learn, including making the school environment a safe, calm place; offering mental health services; teaching mindfulness; and having an adult who can help students manage stress. Introducing meditation, kindness-based mindfulness curricula, and calming exercises, such as CFC's Mind Yeti, can also have positive effects on school climate and academic performance.
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Prevention is Helping Kids Do Better
Good news! According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation's
2016 KIDS COUNT Data Book
, youth today are healthier and more of them are graduating high school on time. The report attributes this to "smart policies and investments in prevention." Data in four key domains are used to inform the status of child well-being at the state and national levels, including economic well-being, education, health, and family and community. Check out key trends in child well-being in your state.
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What Metrics Go into Your State ESSA Accountability System?
The State Board of Education in California just made a historic shift by
including school climate
in its statewide accountability metrics in preparation for implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act. Interested in how you might measure a school's climate? Sign up for EdWeek's July 21 webinar "
Monitoring and Improving School Climate With Student Surveys
," featuring Austin Independent School District (which uses the Second Step program) and the free survey tool offered by the U.S. Department of Education.
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ESSA Implementation
Secretary of Education John B. King, Jr., wants to make sure states are talking to as many groups as possible--and seeking their input "early and often"--as they develop new accountability plans under the Every Student Succeeds Act. In Washington State, volunteer groups have been meeting for a number of months. Read work group agendas and minutes.
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Congressman Learns About "21st Century Skills" from Elementary Kids
Committee for Children, in partnership with the Kent School District, arranged for Congressman Adam Smith (D-Renton) to visit Emerald Park Elementary to see firsthand the school's implementation of social-emotional learning (SEL). Read all about the visit.
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