Advocacy Updates

Mental Health ESEA Conference Letter
National Association of School Psychologists
Last week an action alert was sent to NASP members urging them to write their elected officials to support school-based mental health programs in ESEA. Specifically, NASP is advocating for: the authorization of the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program, explicit definition of school psychologist, and investments to help schools and districts identify and support children with trauma history and those at risk for mental illness.
Public Opinion, Research, and ESEA
National Association of School Psychologists
Earlier this week, Phi Delta Kappan and Gallup released their “47^th Annual PDK/Gallup poll of the Public’s Attitudes Toward the Public Schools”. The results of this poll are particularly timely given that Congress will pick up talks about ESEA reauthorization when they return to Washington, DC after Labor Day. Far too often when it comes to education policy, there has been a disconnect between what the research, parents, teachers, and policy makers say are the most important indicators of school quality and politically charged “sure-fire” ways to improve our nation’s public schools. Recent history is rife with too many instances where politics resulted in policy that is out of step with research and practice and, in some cases, also public opinion. For example, the focus on standardized tests as a sole indicator of school quality and student achievement, the use of value-added methods in teacher evaluation, and increasing physical security measures became widespread education policy with little to no evidence that these were effective ways to improve our schools. Results of the PDK poll further highlights this disconnect, particularly between what the American public values in public schools compared to what the media and policy makers highlight.