Principals, teachers prioritize social-emotional skills for students – By Linda Jacobson, Education Dive
Almost three-fourths of principals say developing students’ social and emotional skills is either their school’s top priority or one of the top goals, according to new results from the American Educator Panels, an ongoing project of the RAND Corp.
The surveys of both teachers and school leaders, however, showed teachers place more importance than principals on students developing specific skills, such as understanding and managing emotions, showing empathy, and setting and achieving positive goals.
“Although we can’t know for sure, one hypothesis is that the difference stems from the fact that teachers spend more time than principals interacting directly with students," Laura Hamilton, the lead author of the report, said in an email. "Teachers, therefore, might be more attuned to the skills that students bring to school and the need for students to develop and apply these skills in the classroom."
But principals were more likely than teachers to strongly agree that social-emotional learning (SEL) programs can lead to improvement in other areas, such as student achievement, school climate and student behavior.
Boosting Aid With a Tax on Business – By Ashley Smith, Inside Higher Ed
Lawmakers in Washington State are taking a novel approach to funding higher education with a new scholarship program that will make tuition at the state's colleges and universities free for thousands of low-income families.
Governor Jay Inslee, a Democrat, on Tuesday signed into law a work-force investment bill that creates the Washington College Grant. The scholarships, which will be fully funded through an increase in the state’s business and occupation tax, guarantees financial aid for more than 110,000 low- and middle-income Washington residents. The grant will help students pay little or no tuition.
The scholarship program is one of the more progressive statewide grants to emerge in recent years. It’s a first-dollar scholarship, which means qualified students can be eligible for the aid regardless of whether they receive federal or other state grants. Students can use the grants to attend any of the state’s public or private two- and four-year colleges. Part-time students, students pursuing a certificate or those enrolled in an approved apprenticeship also can qualify for the grant. And the grant isn’t limited to recent high school graduates but is open to any potential student who doesn’t already hold a bachelor’s degree.
47 States Call On Betsy Devos To Forgive Student Loans For Disabled Veterans – By Cat Schuknecht, NPR
On Friday, three days before Memorial Day, attorneys general for 47 states wrote to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos asking her to automatically forgive student loans for eligible disabled veterans.
The Department of Education has identified more than 42,000 veterans who qualify for a federal program known as Total and Permanent Disability Discharge, or TPD, that offers to relieve borrowers from repaying certain government student loans. These veterans, the letter says, shoulder over $1 billion in education debt that could be forgiven.
To get the benefit, veterans must first apply for the program. According to information obtained by the group Veterans Education Success through a Freedom of Information Act request, almost 60 percent of eligible veterans had defaulted on a loan payment as of April 2018. Yet only about 20 percent had applied to the loan forgiveness program.
The attorneys general want that to change. In the letter — which was also signed by attorneys general for the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories — they propose making the forgiveness program automatic for veterans who have been identified by the Department of Education.
Gov. Doug Ducey signs Arts Proficiency law – From the Sedona Red Rock News
The seal qualifications, involving a combination of focused study in at least one arts discipline, volunteerism and a capstone project, are being developed by a working group of arts educators based on state standards for arts education and guidelines determined by the Arizona Department of Education and the Arizona State Board of Education.
Schools will be able to opt-in beginning in the 2019-20 school year.
“Arts programs are an essential part of a well-rounded education system, not just electives that are nice for students to have. Research has proven that a balanced, comprehensive and sequential program of study in the arts allows Arizona’s students to learn and practice 21st-century skills and behaviors that improve critical thinking, collaboration, communication and creative problem solving,” Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman said. “I commend the Legislature for passing SB1111, which recognizes the superb work accomplished by students across Arizona.”
SB1111 was introduced by Sen. Paul Boyer of Phoenix and passed the Senate 30-1 and the House by a 51-6-3 vote.
“Numerous studies validate the role of arts education in encouraging high school completion and post-secondary education and improving overall academic performance,” Arizona Citizens for the Arts Executive Director Catherine “Rusty” Foley said. “We are pleased that an overwhelming majority of the State Legislature and the governor endorse the Arts Seal of Proficiency as a means of elevating this important role of arts education and the need to recognize students who pursue in-depth study of the arts.
