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This action guide was designed for school administrators in kindergarten through 12th grade schools (K-12), including principals and leaders of school-based student support teams, to identify evidence-based strategies, approaches, and practices that can positively influence students' mental health. This action guide describes six in-school strategies that broadly promote and support mental health and well-being. The strategies in this guide are not intended to replace the individual behavioral and mental health treatment services that are critical to the children and young people who need them. For each strategy in this action guide, approaches or specific ways to use the strategy are provided, and a summary of evidence-based policies, programs, and practices that illustrate each approach is included. Tips to support successful and equitable implementation of strategies are described, with considerations for how to ensure all students are benefitting from mental health promotion and well-being efforts.

The Early Literacy Program focuses on the development of early literacy skills, with additional emphasis placed on intervention for students at risk of not meeting grade-based reading benchmarks. Resources available to aid these students include interventions and supports for students in grades kindergarten through third grade, standards and assessments for testing and monitoring reading benchmark status three times per year in grades 1-3, ongoing professional learning, and the use of data to inform instruction. Beginning in SY 2013, districts and charter schools/local education agencies (LEAs) assess, and report to the state, students' reading composites and benchmarks three times a year using the Acadience Reading assessment. LEAs must also report to the state on whether the student received reading interventions at any time during the school year. End-of-year assessments were not completed in the end of the 2019-2020 school year (SY 2020), due to the COVID-19 Pandemic soft school closures. As such, many of the charts in this report omit SY 2020 data. Following the background and key findings, sections of this report include: (1) Early Literacy Program; (2) Reading Benchmarks by Grade Level; (3) Reading Benchmarks over Time; (4) Pathways of Progress; and (5) Reading Benchmark by LEA. A section with students included in the data set is appended.

In May 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released new guidance on school Medicaid that is a clear victory for school health and student health. It affirms that states have flexibility in their school-based Medicaid program to allow school districts to bill Medicaid for health services delivered to all Medicaid-enrolled children, not just students with a special education plan such as an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). The Guide offers pathways states can take to leverage Medicaid funding -- all of which are designed to improve efficiency and reduce administrative barriers -- so more school districts can access sustainable funds for school-based healthcare, including mental health services. This brief answers key questions about the new guidance and highlights what policymakers and advocates need to know -- and how to get involved -- to ensure states are best positioned to leverage federal opportunities so more children have access to the services they need.

This poll was conducted between September 23, 2023-September 27, 2023 among a sample of 1041 Teachers. The interviews were conducted online. Results based on the full survey have a measure of precision of plus or minus 3.08 percentage points. Among the key findings are: (1) Positive feelings about the direction of K-12 education fell sharply at the national, state, and local levels. These levels of pessimism have not been seen since last year; (2) Teacher concerns about violent intruders entering their child's school have fallen significantly since the spring. They are less concerned about this than parents; and (3) Just over 40 percent of teachers say their students spend "too much" time using technology. High school teachers are most likely to say their students overuse tech. This report highlights findings pertaining to: (1) Views on K-12 Education; (2) Teaching Profession and Experiences; (3) Views on Technologies, Social Media; (4) School Choice Policies; and (5) Survey Profile and Demographics.

Children's early school experiences shape their learning in future years. The transition from pre-kindergarten, or pre-K, to kindergarten is particularly important. This critical time builds the foundation for children's academic, behavioral and social-emotional skills, as well as families' relationships with their child's teachers for years to come. Parent engagement in pre-K, including participating in learning activities at home and collaborating with their child's teacher, plays a significant role in their overall school readiness and success. It is essential for families and educators to work together consistently and proactively to support students as they navigate this transition. Family-school connections are especially important in easing anxiety and supporting students during times of uncertainty, such as those caused by the pandemic. This guide presents engaging families during the pre-K to kindergarten transition.

Concerns over the teaching workforce have been rising across Wisconsin in recent years, particularly since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. A series of Forum reports have raised warning flags about declining graduates from schools of education, record turnover among state and local government employees, and the rising use of emergency K-12 licenses. Likewise, newspapers are rife with articles about individual districts' difficulties hiring and retaining teachers. These leading indicators and anecdotes have strongly suggested that turnover has risen among educators. This report seeks to verify whether that is the case, examining teacher turnover rates in an extensive new analysis. Public school staffing data from the state Department of Public Instruction (DPI) going back to 2009 was used to determine teacher turnover rates for individual districts and the state as a whole. This analysis examined nearly 116,000 teachers at roughly 450 school districts and other K-12 entities over the 15 years. Findings show that from 2009 to 2023, an average of 11.5% of the state's teachers turned over each year. In the 2022-23 school year, turnover rose to 15.8%--the highest percentage during the years studied. Turnover has been highest in rural and city districts, in districts with large proportions of low-income students and students of color, in districts with very small student bodies, and for teachers of color. [This report was made possible by the family of Norman N. Gill.]

This poll was conducted between April 26-May 6, 2023 among a sample of 961 Teachers. The interviews were conducted online. Results based on the full survey have a measure of precision of plus or minus 3.46 percentage points. Among the key findings are: (1) Private school and charter school teachers say they are thriving to a much higher degree than public school teachers; (2) About 1 in 4 teachers believe students are performing very well academically, emotionally, and socially; (3) Nearly 3 out of 4 teachers want more investment in mental health programs for teens to reduce the possibility of school shootings; and (4) Six out of ten teachers feel the need to make some changes to their teaching approach based on pandemic impacts. This report highlights findings pertaining to: (1) Well-Being and Happiness; (2) Views on K-12 Education; (3) Teaching Profession and Experiences; (4) Teaching Opportunities and Schooling; (5) School Choice Policies; and (6) Survey Profile and Demographics.

The Hawai'i State Department of Education is excited to provide a comprehensive menu of engaging summer learning opportunities for students in the upcoming summer months. This summer, offerings will span all grade levels, from a transition program for incoming kindergartners to paid summer internships for our graduating seniors. Schools have worked hard to design programs of high interest for vulnerable students and enrichment programs for students seeking to explore new interests. This Guide includes the following sections: (1) Summer Learning Framework; (2) Summer Programming; (3) Summer 2023 Supports, Health, and Operations; and (4) Data Reporting, Metrics, and Evaluation. [This report was prepared by the Hawaii State Department of Education's Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design. For the 2021 guide, see ED613036.]

This poll was conducted between April 17-20, 2023 among a sample of 2,139 adults. The interviews were conducted online and the data were weighted to approximate a target sample of adults based on gender, educational attainment, age, race, and region. Among the findings are: (1) Three in five school parents feel "hopeful" about the future compared to only half of non-parents; (2) A higher percentage of school parents report they are "thriving" compared to non-parents. Rural adults and those who identify as LGBTQ report the highest levels of suffering among these demographic groups; (3) Levels of public optimism for K-12 education remain near all-time lows based on trends. The public's views about the direction of K-12 education have declined compared to March but are comparable to October 2022 numbers; and (4) Private school parents are 24 percentage points more likely to say that they are 'very satisfied' with their child's/children's schooling experiences than district school parents. This report highlights: (1) wellbeing and happiness; (2) views on K-12 education; (3) views on schooling; (4) pods, tutoring, and extracurriculars; (5) school choice policies; and (6) survey profile and demographics.

This poll was conducted between March 15-16, 2023 among a sample of 2,110 adults. The interviews were conducted online and the data were weighted to approximate a target sample of adults based on gender, educational attainment, age, race, and region. Among the key findings are: (1) Levels of public optimism for K-12 education are near all-time lows based on trends. The public's views about the direction of K-12 education have remained relatively stable since October but have increased slightly since February; (2) Compared to February, parents' views of their children's progress as well as their view of the progress of their friends' children have risen notably across the board. Parents still tend to be more optimistic about their own children; and (3) Private school parents are 18 percentage points more likely to say that they are "very satisfied" with their child's/children's schooling experiences than district school parents. This report highlights: (1) views on K-12 education; (2) views on schooling; (3) pods, tutoring, and extracurriculars; (4) school choice policies; and (5) survey profile and demographics

Ready for Kindergarten! Survey (R4K!S) is a readiness assessment of children entering kindergarten about students' knowledge and skills within the first six to ten weeks of school. There are many interpretations of what constitutes "readiness." Vermont's concept of children's readiness is multidimensional; it includes social and emotional development, communication, physical health, as well as cognitive development, knowledge, and approaches to learning (e.g., enthusiasm for learning, persistence, curiosity). Vermont's concept also reflects the belief that "school readiness" is interactional: children need to be ready for schools, and schools need to be ready to accommodate the diverse needs of children. The R4K!S consists of 34 items across the following domains: (1) Physical Development and Health; (2) Social and Emotional Development; (3) Approaches to Learning; (4) Communication; and (5) Cognitive Development. Kindergarten teachers are required to rate each child's skills as "beginning," "practicing," or "performing independently" on 28 items in addition to six additional questions related to health and well-being. [For the 2020-2021 report, see ED628371.]

The 2023 edition of the Annual Condition of Education Report (COE) marks the 34th edition of the report. For over 30 years, the Department has published the COE in order to provide education stakeholders critical data about the status of Iowa's education system. The 2023 COE includes a wide variety of content including information about Iowa's students, schools, educators, administrators, performance and school finance. The data for this annual report are presented in the following categories: (1) Student Performance; (2) Special Education; (3) Early Childhood Education; (4) Enrollment; (5) Staff; (6) Program; and (7) Finance.

This poll was conducted between January 6-9, 2023 among a sample of 2,200 adults. The interviews were conducted online and the data were weighted to approximate a target sample of adults based on gender, educational attainment, age, race, and region. Among the key findings are: (1) Among those parents reporting a child switching school types, district schools and home schooling appear to show net-positive switching; (2) A safe environment at school is a top three reason for enrollment among parents, regardless of school type. Private school parents have significantly increased their preference for safety and academic quality since December; and (3) Private school parents are much more likely than district school parents to believe that their child's teachers have very good or better communications with them. However, both groups tend to believe their child's teachers have at least good communication with them. This report highlights: (1) views on K-12 education; (2) views on schooling; (3) pods, tutoring, and extracurriculars; (4) school choice policies; and (5) survey profile and demographics.

This annual publication of "The ABCs of School Choice" is a comprehensive, data-rich guide to every private school choice program in America. This edition of "The ABCs of School Choice" defines each of the four types of school choice: education savings accounts, vouchers, tax-credit scholarships and individual tax credits and deductions. The guidebook includes an entire spread of charts showing the growth over time of private school choice programs, spending on those programs and student participation in those programs. "The ABCs of School Choice" features a spread for each school choice program that includes the most recent participation, funding and eligibility data as well as information on the program's rules, regulations and legal history. Following a preface by Robert C. Enlow, the President and CEO of EdChoice, contents of this report include: (1) Types of Private School Choice; (2) Other Types of School Choice; (3) School Choice Illustrated; (4) State Index; (5) Education Savings Account Programs; (6) School Voucher Programs; (7) Tax-Credit Education Savings Account Programs; (8) Tax-Credit Scholarship Programs; (9) Individual Tax Credit and Deduction Programs; (10) 529 Savings Accounts; (11) Rules and Regulations; (12) Legal History; (13) Data Sources for Program Profiles; and (14) Methodology and Data Sources for Eligibility. [For the 2022 edition, see ED620288.]

The Office of Early Learning and School Readiness provides technical assistance and resources for our partners working with families, preschool staff and communities to meet the individual needs of preschool children with disabilities. The goal of this manual is to offer information to preschool programs and school districts that are responsible for planning, developing and implementing the individualized education program (IEP) of a child who is leaving preschool to enter kindergarten. This guidance will help the child's IEP team plan for his or her success, making the transition from preschool to elementary school a positive experience. [For the 2020 report, see ED619734.]

The Tennessee Department of Education's office of coordinated school health (CSH) works with every school district in the state to address all aspects of student health, with a special emphasis on reducing Tennessee's childhood obesity rates. Encouraging adequate physical activity and providing physical education for all students are the central tenets of the CSH model. CSH oversees state physical education standards as set forth in Tennessee curriculum standards and the Tennessee Physical Activity Policy. This annual report provides data on: (1) Tennessee 2021-22 Physical Activity/Physical Education Data; and (2) Physical Activity and Physical Education in Tennessee -- Priority Health Behaviors. Recommendations for developing and implementing physical activity policies and practices for students are included. [For the 2020-21 report, see ED628445.]

While U.S. public education is experiencing an increase in student body size and diversity, there is also an increase in racial and socioeconomic isolation. Participation rates among White students are decreasing as rates among Latine and Asian American and Pacific Islander students increase, and Black student participation rates hold steady. Schools, districts, and communities must be prepared to address these two forms of segregation to ensure equity and success for all students. "Advancing Racial & Socioeconomic Diversity Playbook" provides a comprehensive integration planning guide with tools to help build inclusive teams, analyze segregation in your district, and refine plans. The planning guide and worksheets offer teams opportunities to review racial and socioeconomic issues side-by-side and together. The Playbook is supplemented by MAEC's "Equitable Access: Case studies on reducing racial isolation through socioeconomic integration" [ED627811] which presents different approaches, considerations, plans, and results.

This poll was conducted between July 14-July 15, 2022 among a sample of 2,200 adults. The interviews were conducted online and the data were weighted to approximate a target sample of adults based on gender, educational attainment, age, race, and region. Among the key findings are: (1) Parents most frequently reported their children participating in athletics-focused programs in July. The least common activities were culture-focused programs and those related to career preparation; (2) Parents who have paid for career-focused activities for their children report spending the most amount of money. Those who have paid for arts-focused activities report spending the least amount of money; (3) Parents point to not having enough information, high prices, and inconvenient locations as primary reasons why their child isn't able to participate in certain supplemental activities; and (4) Most often, parents point to location, a safe environment, and academic quality as the main reasons why their child is enrolled in a specific school type. This report highlights: (1) views on K-12 education; (2) views on schooling; (3) extracurricular activities; (4) school choice policies; and (5) the survey profile and demographics.

This field guide is a first step by a collaborative of California child-serving education, health, and social service experts and leaders to further California's current efforts toward one effective, integrated, comprehensive, school-based child-serving system. The guide includes guidance for both local education agencies (LEAs) and state leaders, with details and implementation guidance on a wide variety of cross-sector initiatives to support the whole child. Using a whole-child approach, this guide outlines resources and strategies for LEAs and state leaders to use to support the implementation of funding that centers children and families. The guide includes six major initiatives that can serve as part of an integrated, school-based system of care: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) Aware Initiative, Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), Children and Youth System of Care, community schools initiatives, early childhood initiatives, and expanded learning. The guide also focuses specifically on how to fund various components of an integrated, school-based system of care, providing strategies for funding sustainability and further details about funding sources for comprehensive services. The guide concludes with a discussion of how state leaders facilitate the ability of LEAs to establish integrated, school-based systems of care by modeling cross-sector collaboration at the state level to reduce the current barriers that LEAs face. [This guide was produced with Breaking Barriers, California Alliance of Child and Family Services, and the Santa Clara County Office of Education.]

Throughout the school year, recommendations were revised several times to reflect what was currently known about the SARS-CoV-2 virus and best public health practices as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). The situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve. Wisconsin schools responded to new variants (Delta and Omicron). This guidance is reflective of DPI's commitment and focus on equity, both educational and health equity. Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) understands that keeping students healthy is how they keep their educators healthy, their families healthy, their communities healthy, and their health care system able to care in times of need. Students need to be healthy and safe in order to learn. DPI calls on districts and schools to use evidence-based practices in conjunction with scientific and public health principles to keep all students and staff safe and schools open to in-person instruction. The DPI calls on districts to ensure that those that remain vulnerable to COVID-19 receive the accommodations necessary to mitigate their risk. The DPI continues to work in consultation with the DHS while following the recommendations of the CDC to develop guidance for school district boards of education, school administrators, and school healthcare professionals.

This poll was conducted between February 12-February 15, 2022 among a sample of 2,200 adults. The interviews were conducted online and the data were weighted to approximate a target sample of adults based on gender, educational attainment, age, race, and region. Among the key findings are: (1) Education issues rank higher when it comes to voting for local offices. Most Americans continue to view economic issues as their top priority when deciding who to vote for at the federal, state, or local levels; (2) Nearly three out of four parents are comfortable with their child attending school right now -- an increase of six points since January; (3) The gap between Americans' views towards mandatory masking and vaccinations has tightened. Many view masking as less of a priority compared to previous months; and (4) Parent interest in either participating in or looking to form/join a learning 'pod' decreased by eight points in February. This report highlights: (1) COVID-19 and schooling; (2) school choice policies; (3) views on K-12 education; and (4) the survey profile and demographics.

This annual publication of "The ABCs of School Choice" is a comprehensive, data-rich guide to every private school choice program in America. This edition of "The ABCs of School Choice" defines each of the four types of school choice: education savings accounts, vouchers, tax-credit scholarships and individual tax credits and deductions. The guidebook includes an entire spread of charts showing the growth over time of private school choice programs, spending on those programs and student participation in those programs. "The ABCs of School Choice" features a spread for each school choice program that includes the most recent participation, funding and eligibility data as well as information on the program's rules, regulations and legal history. Following a preface by Robert C. Enlow, the President and CEO of EdChoice, contents of this report include: (1) Types of Private School Choice; (2) Other Types of School Choice; (3) School Choice Illustrated; (4) State Index; (5) Education Savings Account Programs; (6) School Voucher Programs; (7) Tax-Credit Education Savings Account Programs; (8) Tax-Credit Scholarship Programs; (9) Individual Tax Credit and Deduction Programs; (10) 529 Savings Accounts; (11) Rules and Regulations; (12) Legal History; (13) Data Sources for Program Profiles; and (14) Methodology and Data Sources for Eligibility. [For the 2021 edition, see ED612883.]

The 2022 edition of the Annual Condition of Education Report (COE) marks the 33rd edition of the report. For over 30 years, the Department has published the COE in order to provide education stakeholders critical data about the status of Iowa's education system. The 2022 COE includes a wide variety of content including information about Iowa's students, schools, educators, administrators, performance and school finance. The data for this annual report are presented in the following categories: (1) Enrollment; (2) Early Childhood Education; (3) Staff; (4) Program; (5) Student Performance; (6) Special Education; and (7) Finance. [For the 2021 report, see ED617856.]

These are the supplemental tables for the report, "Crime, Violence, Discipline, and Safety in U.S. Public Schools: Findings from the School Survey on Crime and Safety: 2021-22. First Look. NCES 2024-043." The report presents findings both on crime and violence in U.S. public schools and on the practices and programs schools have used to promote school safety using data from the School Survey on Crime and Safety (SSOCS). SSOCS collects data from public school principals about violent and nonviolent crimes in their schools. The survey also collects data on school security measures, school security staff, mental health services, parent and community involvement at school, and staff training on school discipline and safety policies and practices. SSOCS data can be used to study how violent incidents in schools relate to the programs and practices that schools have in place to prevent crime. The two tables in this document are: (1) Percentage of schools that took a serious disciplinary action in response to specific offenses, by type of offense and selected school characteristics: School year 2021-22 and (2) Standard errors for supplementary Table 1: Percentage of schools that took a serious disciplinary action in response to specific offenses, by type of offense and selected school characteristics: School year 2021-22.

This report provides information about the performance of Aboriginal students (including adults) in British Columbia's public schools. Ten sections include: (1) Introduction; (2) Student and District Context (Kindergarten-Grade 12), 2016/17-2020/21; (3) Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) Grades 4 and 7, 2016/17-2020/21; (4) Graduation Assessments & Course Marks, 2020/21; (5) Transitions, 2015/16-2020/21; (6) School Completion, 2016/17-2020/21; (7) Education Experiences of Children and Youth in Care, 2015/16-2019/20; (8) Post-Secondary Transitions, 2016/17-2019/20; (9) Student Learning Survey Results, 2016/17-2020/21; and (10) Glossary. [This report was produced by the Governance and Analytics Division of the Ministry of Education (British Columbia). For "Aboriginal Report 2012/13-2016/17: How Are We Doing?," see ED586110.]

Ready for Kindergarten! Survey (R4K!S) is a readiness assessment of children entering kindergarten about students' knowledge and skills within the first six to ten weeks of school. There are many interpretations of what constitutes "readiness." Vermont's concept of children's readiness is multidimensional; it includes social and emotional development, communication, physical health, as well as cognitive development, knowledge, and approaches to learning (e.g., enthusiasm for learning, persistence, curiosity). Vermont's concept also reflects the belief that "school readiness" is interactional: children need to be ready for schools, and schools need to be ready to accommodate the diverse needs of children. The R4K!S consists of 34 items across the following domains: (1) Physical Development and Health; (2) Social and Emotional Development; (3) Approaches to Learning; (4) Communication; and (5) Cognitive Development. Kindergarten teachers are required to rate each child's skills as "beginning," "practicing," or "performing independently" on 28 items in addition to six additional questions related to health and well-being. [For the 2019-2020 report, see ED628366.]

An effective teacher workforce is a diverse teacher workforce. As of 2017, only 5% of Ohio's teachers identify as teachers of color. As more teachers from diverse backgrounds enter the teaching profession in Ohio, they will encounter mentors who do not look like them and may not understand some of their struggles. The purpose of this guide is to support experienced instructors who mentor new teachers from diverse backgrounds in conducting authentic conversations about the intersections of personal and professional identities. The guide is meant to provide structure for conversations with school and district education staff. The guide is divided into three sections: (1) Why Mentoring for Diversity Matters; (2) Practical Strategies in Mentoring for Diversity; and (3) Lessons Learned from the Field.

In October 2015, the Kansas State Board of Education announced a new vision for education in Kansas. The Kansans CAN Vision - "Kansas leads the world in the success of each student" - became the branded theme for Kansas education. This initiative motivated the creation of this document. Kindergarten Readiness is one of five Kansas State Board of Education measurable outcomes, which also include: (1) Social-emotional growth measured locally; (2) Individual Plan of Study focused on career interest; (3) High school graduation; and (4) Postsecondary. School readiness occurs within a broad context and includes four components: community, educational environment, family and the individual child. These four components function as interdependent systems of support with multidirectional influences. Rich early childhood experiences, from birth through age 8, are necessary for school success and directly influence children's future successes. This "Kansas Prekindergarten Guide" provides prekindergarten teachers, providers and administrators with common references for high-quality and evidence-based prekindergarten practices. This guide supports the implementation of developmentally appropriate and academically rigorous prekindergarten programs. Prekindergarten teachers and administrators are encouraged to discuss the contents of this guide together. Contents address: transitions; child development; learning environment; classroom management; family engagement; Kansas curricular standards for prekindergarten; assessment; and program structures. [For the previous version (2019), see ED598973. For the "Kansas Full-Day Kindergarten Guide," see ED615226.]

School readiness occurs within a broad context that includes the four components of community, educational environment, family and the individual child. These four components function as interdependent systems of support that have multidirectional influences. Early childhood experiences, from birth through age 8, are necessary for school success and have a direct influence on future success. Experiences include health and physical well-being, cognitive development, communication and social-emotional skills. An effective foundation for school readiness also involves policy, funding and systems for children that support their ability to thrive and succeed in learning environments through their lifespan. This "Kansas Full-Day Kindergarten Guide" is a resource to provide kindergarten teachers, principals and other school district administrators with common information about high-quality, full-day kindergarten. This guide may be used to provide support to implement developmentally appropriate and academically rigorous kindergarten programs statewide. Kindergarten teachers and administrators are encouraged to discuss the design of high-quality, developmentally appropriate and rigorous kindergarten classrooms. Contents address: transitions; child development; learning environment; classroom management; family engagement; curriculum and instruction; instructional practices in kindergarten; assessment; and program structures. [For the previous version (2018), see ED598986. For the "Kansas Prekindergarten Guide," see ED615228.]

This annual publication of "The ABCs of School Choice" is a comprehensive, data-rich guide to every private school choice program in America. This edition of "The ABCs of School Choice" defines each of the four types of school choice: education savings accounts, vouchers, tax-credit scholarships and individual tax credits and deductions. The guidebook includes an entire spread of charts showing the growth over time of private school choice programs, spending on those programs and student participation in those programs. "The ABCs of School Choice" features a spread for each school choice program that includes the most recent participation, funding and eligibility data as well as information on the program's rules, regulations and legal history. Following a preface by Robert C. Enlow, the President and CEO of EdChoice, contents of this report include: (1) Types of Private School Choice; (2) Other Types of School Choice; (3) School Choice Illustrated; (4) State Index; (5) Education Savings Account Programs; (6) School Voucher Programs; (7) Tax-Credit Scholarship Programs; (8) Individual Tax Credit and Deduction Programs; (9) 529 Savings Accounts; (10) Rules and Regulations; (11) Legal History; (12) Data Sources for Program Profiles; and (13) Methodology and Data Sources for Eligibility. [For the 2020 edition, see ED605678.]

The 2021 edition of the Annual Condition of Education Report (COE) marks the 32nd edition of the report. For over 30 years, the Department has published the COE in order to provide education stakeholders critical data about the status of Iowa's education system. The 2021 COE covers a wide variety of content including information about Iowa's students, schools, educators, administrators, performance and school finance. The data for this annual report are presented in the following categories: (1) Enrollment; (2) Early Childhood Education; (3) Staff; (4) Program; (5) Student Performance; (6) Special Education; and (7) Finance. [For the 2020 report, see ED614805.]

This guidance document was created to help support schools as they begin to formulate their plans for re-entry into the 2020-2021 school year. The purpose of this document is not to prescribe what schools should do, but rather what considerations and discussions should happen in schools as they plan to support their students and communities as they navigate the uncharted waters of providing a quality education during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidelines are written in a manner that can be useful across the district, but adaptable to a district's specific circumstances. Throughout this document there are three learning environments that are referenced: (1) On-site Learning Environment: students and teachers will be in school with or without social distancing practices put into place; (2) Hybrid Learning Environment: students would be spending part of their time in the classroom and part of their time learning remotely from home; and (3) Remote Learning Environment: students would be doing all of their learning from home and not entering the school building at all.

The Tennessee Department of Education's office of coordinated school health (CSH) works with every school district in the state to address all aspects of student health, with a special emphasis on reducing Tennessee's childhood obesity rates. Encouraging adequate physical activity and providing physical education for all students are the central tenets of the CSH model. CSH oversees state physical education standards as set forth in Tennessee curriculum standards and the Tennessee Physical Activity Policy. This annual report provides data on: (1) Tennessee 2019-20 Physical Activity/Physical Education Data; and (2) Physical Activity and Physical Education in Tennessee -- Priority Health Behaviors. Recommendations for developing and implementing physical activity policies and practices for students are included. [For the 2018-19 report, see ED628415.]

This special education reopening guidance has been developed as a companion resource to "Reopening Washington Schools 2020: District Planning Guide" (ED606044) to provide information and resources for supporting students with disabilities throughout the school reopening process. The intent of this document is to offer guidance for all district and school administrators and educators, as they continue to provide instruction and services to students with disabilities during and after the COVID-19 health crisis. This includes guidance on partnering with families, addressing issues of equity in access, supporting social-emotional and academic development of students, and providing special education and related services across the continuum of reopening models. [This guidance was originally published 7/30/2020 and updated on 9/3/2020 to include updated content specific to recovery services and parent training.]

Following a high-quality early care and pre-K experience, the kindergarten-through-third-grade years set the foundation upon which future learning builds; and strengthening this continuum creates opportunities for later success. Key components of a quality experience in K-3 include school readiness and transitions, kindergarten requirements, educator quality, prevention, intervention and assessments, and social and emotional learning and mental health. Education Commission of the States researched the policies and regulations that guide these key components in all 50 states to provide this comprehensive resource and many others. The data in this document show that at least 23 states and the District of Columbia have policies in place to guide the pre-K to kindergarten transition process. There are variations in which entities must be involved in guiding this transition process; states have alternately created requirements for state education agencies, state boards of education, school districts, district boards of education, county-based teams, individual preschool and kindergarten programs, and chief state school officers.

Following a high-quality early care and pre-K experience, the kindergarten-through-third-grade years set the foundation upon which future learning builds; and strengthening this continuum creates opportunities for later success. Key components of a quality experience in K-3 include school readiness and transitions, kindergarten requirements, educator quality, prevention, intervention and assessments, and social and emotional learning and mental health. Education Commission of the States researched the policies and regulations that guide these key components in all 50 states to provide this comprehensive resource and many others. The data in this document show that at least 47 states plus the District of Columbia articulated a specific entrance age in statutes or regulations. Additionally, at least two states left the entrance age determination to specific district resolution, and one state did not identify any guidance on kindergarten entrance age.

Following a high-quality early care and pre-K experience, the kindergarten-through-third-grade years set the foundation upon which future learning builds; and strengthening this continuum creates opportunities for later success. Key components of a quality experience in K-3 include school readiness and transitions, kindergarten requirements, educator quality, prevention, intervention and assessments, and social and emotional learning and mental health. Education Commission of the States researched the policies and regulations that guide these key components in all 50 states to provide this comprehensive resource and many others. The data in this document show that at least 30 states and the District of Columbia require kindergarten entrance assessments. Of those, all but four also create requirements for what must be done with the assessment results, including prohibitions on what may not be done with that information.

Following a high-quality early care and pre-K experience, the kindergarten-through-third-grade years set the foundation upon which future learning builds; and strengthening this continuum creates opportunities for later success. Key components of a quality experience in K-3 include school readiness and transitions, kindergarten requirements, educator quality, prevention, intervention and assessments, and social and emotional learning and mental health. Education Commission of the States researched the policies and regulations that guide these key components in all 50 states to provide this comprehensive resource and many others. The data in this document show at least 41 states addressed age exemptions or waivers in reference to kindergarten entrance in state statute and/or regulations. At least 10 states plus the District of Columbia did not articulate specific exemption or waiver opportunities in statute or regulations.

Following a high-quality early care and pre-K experience, the kindergarten-through-third-grade years set the foundation upon which future learning builds; and strengthening this continuum creates opportunities for later success. Key components of a quality experience in K-3 include school readiness and transitions, kindergarten requirements, educator quality, prevention, intervention and assessments, and social and emotional learning and mental health. Education Commission of the States researched the policies and regulations that guide these key components in all 50 states to provide this comprehensive resource and many others. The data in this document show that at least 19 states plus the District of Columbia require children to attend kindergarten based on state statutes or regulations. Of those that require children to attend kindergarten, guidance is provided to articulate that children must attend or pass an academic readiness screening to enter grade one. States that do not require kindergarten attendance have been identified by their compulsory age requirements or specific indication in statutes and regulations.

Following a high-quality early care and pre-K experience, the kindergarten-through-third-grade years set the foundation upon which future learning builds; and strengthening this continuum creates opportunities for later success. Key components of a quality experience in K-3 include school readiness and transitions, kindergarten requirements, educator quality, prevention, intervention and assessments, and social and emotional learning and mental health. Education Commission of the States researched the policies and regulations that guide these key components in all 50 states to provide this comprehensive resource and many others. The data in this document show that at least 39 states plus the District of Columbia require districts to offer kindergarten either full or half day. Additionally, at least 17 states plus the District of Columbia require full-day kindergarten, and 19 states require half-day kindergarten. Four states articulate that districts can offer full- or half-day kindergarten at the discretion of the board.

Following a high-quality early care and pre-K experience, the kindergarten-through-third-grade years set the foundation upon which future learning builds; and strengthening this continuum creates opportunities for later success. Key components of a quality experience in K-3 include school readiness and transitions, kindergarten requirements, educator quality, prevention, intervention and assessments, and social and emotional learning and mental health. Education Commission of the States researched the policies and regulations that guide these key components in all 50 states to provide this comprehensive resource and many others. The data in this document show that most states require kindergarten students to be age 5 by a certain cutoff date; however, there are several states that provide exemptions or waivers to these requirements.

Following a high-quality early care and pre-K experience, the kindergarten-through-third-grade years set the foundation upon which future learning builds; and strengthening this continuum creates opportunities for later success. Key components of a quality experience in K-3 include school readiness and transitions, kindergarten requirements, educator quality, prevention, intervention and assessments, and social and emotional learning and mental health. Education Commission of the States researched the policies and regulations that guide these key components in all 50 states to provide this comprehensive resource and many others. The data in this document show that at least 17 states with pre-K to kindergarten transition guidance specifically address family engagement in statutes and regulations. Additionally, types of family engagement in the transition process may include ensuring information sent to parents/guardians is easily understandable, offering support in improving parenting skills, and offering families and children the opportunity to tour school facilities.

The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) is a single unified and accredited school district consisting of Kindergarten through 12th grade which administers Head Start, pre-Kindergarten GATE programs, and is piloting pre-Kindergarten classes at selected schools. Their 26 elementary, 8 middle, 6 high and 1 alternative schools serve about 30,000 students and are managed by the Superintendent, who is the chief executive officer for the department, and the Executive Secretary of the 12-member Guam Education Board. GDOE is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and uses the following two standards-based or criterion-referenced testing to assess student progress: (1) ACT Aspire, based on the Common Core Standards in English/Language Arts & Math for grades 3-10; and (2) Standards-Based Assessments (SBA) for grades 1-12 in English/Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies content areas. This report provides School Year 2018-19 performance statistics, Fiscal Year 2019 financial statistics, and a discussion on the impact of COVID-19 and future challenges. [For the FY 2018 report, see ED611040.]

Ready for Kindergarten! Survey (R4K!S) is a readiness assessment of children entering kindergarten about students' knowledge and skills within the first six to ten weeks of school. There are many interpretations of what constitutes "readiness." Vermont's concept of children's readiness is multidimensional; it includes social and emotional development, communication, physical health, as well as cognitive development, knowledge, and approaches to learning (e.g., enthusiasm for learning, persistence, curiosity). Vermont's concept also reflects the belief that "school readiness" is interactional: children need to be ready for schools, and schools need to be ready to accommodate the diverse needs of children. The R4K!S consists of 34 items across the following domains: (1) Physical Development and Health; (2) Social and Emotional Development; (3) Approaches to Learning; (4) Communication; and (5) Cognitive Development. Kindergarten teachers are required to rate each child's skills as "beginning," "practicing," or "performing independently" on 28 items in addition to six additional questions related to health and well-being. [For the 2018-2019 report, see ED628409.]

This report presents data on students in the United States attending kindergarten through grade 12. The focus of the report is on parent and family involvement in the students' education during the 2018-19 school year, as reported by the students' parents. It includes the percentage of students who participated in selected family activities. Demographic information about students and families is presented, including students' poverty status and parents' education and language spoken at home, as well as school characteristics, such as school size and school type. These data represent circumstances before the implementation of coronavirus pandemic restrictions. The data for this report come from the Parent and Family Involvement in Education (PFI) Survey, administered as part of the 2019 National Household Education Surveys Program (NHES:2019). When weighted, the PFI data in this report are nationally representative of the nonhomeschooling population of students in grades kindergarten through 12, including children enrolled in public, private, and virtual schools. The total number of cases used in this report is 15,950 students, representing a population of 51.5 million nonhomeschooled students in kindergarten through grade 12. This "First Look" report presents selected descriptive information. The variables examined in this report are just a few of the variables that can be examined in these data; they were selected to demonstrate the range of information available from the study. The release of this report is intended to encourage in-depth analysis of the data using more sophisticated statistical methods. [For "Parent and Family Involvement in Education: 2019. First Look--Summary. NCES 2020-076," see ED606749.]

The Ohio Department of Education's Office of Early Learning and School Readiness provides technical assistance and resources for their partners working with families, preschool staff, and communities to meet the individual needs of preschool children with disabilities. The goal of this manual is to offer information to preschool programs and school districts that are responsible for planning, developing and implementing the individualized education program (IEP) of a child who is leaving preschool to enter kindergarten. This guidance will help the child's IEP team plan for his or her success, making the transition from preschool to elementary school a positive experience.

As school leaders faced school building closures and shifted to online and hybrid models of instruction, National School Boards Association (NSBA) issued its guide entitled, "Setting a New Course: A Legal Guide to Operating Schools in the Pandemic Era" (ED626073), to help schools navigate salient issues surrounding the pandemic. Nearly one year later, this appendix to the publication is intended to build on that guide by helping school leaders understand the latest federal guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Education (ED).

All families have values and beliefs that guide them in their parenting journey. As an important adult in a child's life, and an influencer of a generation of compassionate people, a parent can have a positive impact on society as a whole. This booklet supports a vision of communities where children feel nurtured, safe, connected to their culture, and honoured for who they are. It can help prepare incoming kindergartners for their first-time experience in school. Parents can use the booklet to record things that their child is good at and things that are important to them. It can be used as a keepsake to remember before they go to kindergarten or share it with their teachers.

Children entering kindergarten and grade 1 vary greatly in their emergent literacy skills. Because preschool teachers can help set the foundation of literacy skills related to school readiness, one way to address those gaps is to build teachers' capacity to apply evidence-based strategies in their language and literacy instruction. "Professional Learning Community: Emergent Literacy" was developed to support preschool teachers through collaborative learning experiences in a professional learning community (PLC). Preschool teachers who participate in this PLC will learn evidence-based instructional practices that can enhance their emergent literacy instruction and benefit children in their classrooms. This Facilitator Guide for "Professional Learning Community: Emergent Literacy" and its accompanying suite of materials were prepared to enable facilitators to lead a team of preschool teachers through emergent literacy PLC sessions. Given the rich content of emergent literacy instruction addressed in these materials, the ideal facilitator will be an educator with a strong background in emergent literacy, good communication skills, and the ability to relate well to adult learners. This Guide includes a structured plan to deliver professional learning, slides, and speaker notes. The "Professional Learning Community: Emergent Literacy" suite of materials was prepared in collaboration with the REL Southeast School Readiness Partnership and includes four modules: Print Knowledge, Phonological Awareness, Vocabulary, and Oral Language. Each module comprises four resources: Facilitator Guide, PowerPoint presentation, Classroom videos, and Participant Guide. [For "Professional Learning Community: Emergent Literacy. Participant Guide. Module 4: Oral Language (Sessions 10-12). REL 2021-045," see ED609445.]

Children entering kindergarten and grade 1 vary greatly in their emergent literacy skills. Because preschool teachers can help set the foundation of literacy skills related to school readiness, one way to address those gaps is to build teachers' capacity to apply evidence-based strategies in language and literacy instruction. "Professional Learning Community: Emergent Literacy" was developed to support preschool teachers through collaborative learning experiences in a professional learning community (PLC). Preschool teachers who participate in this PLC will learn evidence-based instructional practices that can enhance their emergent literacy instruction and benefit children in their classrooms. This Facilitator Guide for "Professional Learning Community: Emergent Literacy" and its accompanying suite of materials were prepared to enable facilitators to lead a team of preschool teachers through emergent literacy PLC sessions. Given the rich content of emergent literacy instruction addressed in these materials, the ideal facilitator will be an educator with a strong background in emergent literacy, good communication skills, and the ability to relate well to adult learners. This Guide includes a structured plan to deliver professional learning, slides, and speaker notes. The "Professional Learning Community: Emergent Literacy" suite of materials was prepared in collaboration with the REL Southeast School Readiness Partnership and includes four modules: Print Knowledge, Phonological Awareness, Vocabulary, and Oral Language. Each module comprises four resources: Facilitator Guide, PowerPoint presentation, Classroom videos, and Participant Guide. [For the "Professional Learning Community: Emergent Literacy. Participant Guide. Module 3: Vocabulary (Sessions 7-9). REL 2021-045," see ED609433.]