REL Webinar: Improving Rural Teacher Retention

Based on my own background in rural education, if distance learning isn’t a part of this webinar I’m not sure what’s going on at IES.

Join REL Northwest for a one-hour webinar on how rural district and school leaders can develop localized strategies to address teacher working conditions with the goal of improving teacher retention. States, districts, and schools across the United States are struggling to retain teachers. High teacher turnover can have a negative impact on student achievement and result in high costs for districts when they need to recruit and train new teachers. During the webinar, REL Northwest will share research on the influence of working conditions on teacher retention and detail a process—used with Lower Kuskokwim School District in Alaska—for using research and local data to identify steps and strategies to address and improve teacher working conditions. The process includes the following: Reviewing research and local data Conducting a root cause analysis Developing a theory of action Developing plans for implementing strategies and collecting indicator data Conducting ongoing data collection to gauge how strategies are working Who should attend: Rural district and school leaders and staff interested in improving working conditions to improve teacher retention. Presenters: Trudy Cherasaro, Director, Marzano Research, REL Northwest David Yanoski, Researcher, Marzano Research, REL Northwest Kimberly Hankins, Superintendent, Lower Kuskokwim School District (Alaska) Dr. Jayne Downey, Associate Dean, Educator Preparation Director, Center for Research on Rural Education Improving Rural Teacher Retention: Developing Localized Strategies to Address Teacher Working Conditions Date: August 10, 2023 Time: 12:00–1:00 p.m. Pacific Register here ***** The Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) build the capacity of educators to use data and research to improve student outcomes. Each REL responds to needs identified in its region and makes learning opportunities and other resources available to educators throughout the United States. The REL program is a part of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) in the U.S. Department of Education. To receive regular updates on REL work, including events and reports, follow IES on Facebook and Twitter. To provide feedback on this or other REL work, email Contact.IES@ed.gov. The Institute of Education Sciences, a part of the U.S. Department of Education, is the nation’s leading source for rigorous, independent education research, evaluation, statistics, and assessment. IES is celebrating 20 years. Here’s how to get involved.

By visiting Newsflash you may also sign up to receive information from IES and its four Centers NCES, NCER, NCEE, & NCSER to stay abreast of all activities within the Institute of Education Sciences (IES).

REL Webinar: Working with Indigenous Communities Around Data and Evidence

The second of two items from the folks at IES.

To address the challenges and complexities of American Indian realities in today’s society, SEA staff need resources for working collaboratively and respectfully with Native students, families, communities, and nations, especially to facilitate the use of data and evidence that can improve academic and social-emotional outcomes. Each Native community features distinct and complex cultural, economic, educational, historical, linguistic, political, and spiritual foundations that present opportunities for welcoming and including tribally held cultural and educational resources to facilitate the use of data and evidence. In this free 90-minute webinar, REL West invites SEA staff to explore principles and practices for working respectfully with Indigenous community members to advance educational equity for Native American students. In this webinar, SEA staff will— Explore practices that will better prepare them to work with Indigenous peoples in their states, particularly around planning, collecting, analyzing, and using findings from data collection and research efforts Learn strategies for partnering with tribal community leaders using data and research to improve academic and wellness outcomes for Native students   A Framework for Working Respectfully with Indigenous Communities Around Data and Evidence December 14, 2021 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. PT Register here   ***** The Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) build the capacity of educators to use data and research to improve student outcomes. Each REL responds to needs identified in its region and makes learning opportunities and other resources available to educators throughout the United States. The REL program is a part of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) in the U.S. Department of Education. To receive regular updates on REL work, including events and reports, follow IES on Facebook and Twitter. To provide feedback on this or other REL work, email Contact.IES@ed.gov. The Institute of Education Sciences, a part of the U.S. Department of Education, is the nation’s leading source for rigorous, independent education research, evaluation, statistics, and assessment.

By visiting Newsflash you may also sign up to receive information from IES and its four Centers NCES, NCER, NCEE, & NCSER to stay abreast of all activities within the Institute of Education Sciences (IES).

REL Report: Principal Retention Patterns

The first of two items from the folks at IES.

The departure of an effective school leader can influence staff turnover and student achievement for several years. REL West undertook this study to help leaders in Arizona, Nevada, and Utah better understand principal retention patterns in their state. The study found that— Fewer than half of the principals in Arizona, Nevada, and Utah remained at the same school from fall 2016 to fall 2020. Principals who changed jobs (but stayed in the principalship) tended to move to a new school within the same local education agency rather than to a new school in another local education agency. Retention did not change significantly during the initial year of the COVID-19 pandemic; the principal retention rate from fall 2019 to fall 2020 was consistent with that in the previous year. Fewer principals tended to remain at schools with lower performance on standardized tests than at higher-performing schools over time. Several longer-term retention patterns differed across the three states based on school locale and student demographics. For example, Arizona and Nevada had lower four-year retention rates in schools in town and rural areas, while Utah had lower retention rates in city and suburban areas. These findings suggest that state and local education leaders in these states will continue to grapple with longstanding staffing challenges. The study results can help leaders in each state direct resources and supports to where they are most needed. Such evidence-based targeted retention strategies could include expanding professional learning opportunities, improving working conditions, and rethinking decision-making authority.   Read the report at: https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/projects/project.asp?projectID=6696   ***** The Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) build the capacity of educators to use data and research to improve student outcomes. Each REL responds to needs identified in its region and makes learning opportunities and other resources available to educators throughout the United States. The REL program is a part of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) in the U.S. Department of Education. To receive regular updates on REL work, including events and reports, follow IES on Facebook and Twitter. To provide feedback on this or other REL work, email Contact.IES@ed.gov. The Institute of Education Sciences, a part of the U.S. Department of Education, is the nation’s leading source for rigorous, independent education research, evaluation, statistics, and assessment.

By visiting Newsflash you may also sign up to receive information from IES and its four Centers NCES, NCER, NCEE, & NCSER to stay abreast of all activities within the Institute of Education Sciences (IES).

Lessons from COVID-19, Promise Programs, Native Education

Note the remote teaching item from this REL below.

Partnering with you to put research into action. View in your browser With the goal of helping educators and policymakers use data and evidence to improve student outcomes, we are pleased to share the following REL Northwest research and resources. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Lessons From COVID-19: SEL and Remote Teaching Modules To help middle and high school teachers address teaching and learning challenges introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic, REL Northwest developed two training modules for professional development providers. The modules, based on resources developed by the national network of RELs since the start of the pandemic, focus on social and emotional learning and how to harness remote learning tools for in-person instruction. Attend our November 30 virtual event and read this blog post for more information. COLLEGE ACCESS Oregon Promise Has Positive Impact on College Persistence and Completion A new study finds that the Oregon Promise program—one of the first state grants in the nation to cover all or nearly all community college tuition costs for eligible students—had a positive impact on Oregon public high school graduates’ college persistence and completion. The study’s findings provide policymakers with evidence to continue to invest in promise programs and suggest ways to increase the percentage of eligible students. Download the report and infographic. NATIVE EDUCATION Resources to Support Native American Students An infographic offering strategies to support Native students whose families follow traditional migration patterns. A video for educators and a guide for families to ensure Native students are accurately identified and receive the services, benefits, and resources available to them. A report and infographic from a REL Northwest study on the needs and experiences of Alaska Native English learner students. An Ask A REL response to the question, “What does the research say about the intergenerational educational effects of American Indian boarding schools on Native American students? RESOURCES FROM OUR PARTNERS Academic Mindsets and Behaviors, Prior Achievement, and the Transition to Middle School (REL West) Implementing Trauma-Informed Practices in Rural Schools (National Comprehensive Center) Monitoring Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund Plans (Region 17 Comprehensive Center) Program Evaluation Toolkit (REL Central) REL Northwest’s goal is to deepen collaboration and evidence use among educators and policymakers on important educational issues identified by stakeholders across the Northwest region. Together, we are putting research into action. You are receiving this email because you are a member or stakeholder of a REL Northwest research collaborative or alliance or signed up to receive these messages. If you want to stop receiving these emails you can unsubscribe from this list. This newsletter was prepared under Contract ED-IES-17-C-0009 by Regional Educational Laboratory Northwest, administered by Education Northwest. The content does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of IES or the U.S. Department of Education, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

REL Northwest · 1417 NW Everett St, Suite 310 · Portland, OR 97209 · USA

School Climate, Rural Education, Literacy & More

Another REL/IES item that I didn’t get a chance to post yesterday, which has a couple of relevant items that readers may find of interest.

Partnering with you to put research into action. View in your browser With the goal of helping educators and policymakers use data and evidence to improve student outcomes, we are pleased to share the following REL Northwest research and resources. SCHOOL CLIMATE Resources for Safe Schools Week Safe Schools Week is October 17–23. These REL Northwest resources can help education stakeholders support positive and productive learning environments for all: Print-ready infographics with tips to promote school safety for students, educators, and parents and caregivers. Blog posts on creating welcoming, bully-free online learning environments and a multidisciplinary approach to school safety. A video sharing strategies teachers can use to strengthen relationships with students from diverse backgrounds. An infographic showing actions adults can take to ensure a safe and supportive school climate. RURAL EDUCATION Virtual Event to Share Research and Tools for Rural Schools Join RELs from across the country on October 28 to learn about putting research into action on a variety of rural education topics. Presentations—including one from REL Northwest on program evaluation and data collection in rural Alaska—will provide actionable takeaways for improving outcomes for students in rural areas. Learn more. GRADUATION AND POSTSECONDARY SUCCESS Oregon Partnership Annual Convening is November 8 Those interested in supporting equitable outcomes for Oregon students should plan to attend the Oregon Graduation and Postsecondary Success Alliance’s annual convening, taking place virtually on November 8. Explore findings from recent studies on the impact of early indicator and intervention systems in Oregon and the Oregon Promise financial aid program. Discuss how data and evidence can inform policy and practice, close opportunity gaps, and more. Register soon. LITERACY Preschool Through Grade 5 Writing Instruction A stakeholder recently asked, “What does the research say about best practices in preschool through grade 5 writing instruction?” Our Ask A REL librarian searched the literature on this topic and compiled a list of recent, publicly available references and resources. View other featured responses to education-related research questions from the region—or submit your own query—on our website. RESEARCH & RESOURCES FROM OUR PARTNERS Culture in our Classrooms (REL Midwest). Leveling the Playing Field: Using Promotion Power to Identify High School Effectiveness (REL Mid-Atlantic). Nonacademic Interventions for Postsecondary Enrollment and Success with Rural and High-Poverty Populations: A Systematic Evidence Review (REL Appalachia). Students’ Internet Access Before and During the Coronavirus Pandemic by Household Socioeconomic Status (National Center for Education Statistics). REL Northwest’s goal is to deepen collaboration and evidence use among educators and policymakers on important educational issues identified by stakeholders across the Northwest region. Together, we are putting research into action. You are receiving this email because you are a member or stakeholder of a REL Northwest research collaborative or alliance or signed up to receive these messages. If you want to stop receiving these emails you can unsubscribe from this list. This newsletter was prepared under Contract ED-IES-17-C-0009 by Regional Educational Laboratory Northwest, administered by Education Northwest. The content does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of IES or the U.S. Department of Education, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

REL Northwest · 1417 NW Everett St, Suite 310 · Portland, OR 97209 · USA