Imagine the complex factors that influence a child's opportunities in life set on either side of an old-fashioned scale. The teeter-totter of each child's scale can be influenced by parents, schools, communities and, in many ways, public policies. Positive experiences and influences--a loving and nurturing caregiver, a safe and stable place to…

In this article John Bailey discusses how schools can successfully reopen following the COVID-19 pandemic. Bailey asserts that the rethinking of schooling that was forced by the pandemic can serve as an opportunity to introduce some long-overdue reforms and improvements to better serve students, particularly students of color. The task is not…

A trio of crises--the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting financial instability, and racial injustice--has disrupted learning environments and the relationships, structures, and supports that students depend on to thrive. The consequences are far-reaching, but they have been felt most acutely by our most vulnerable youth. In the face of these challenges,…

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on Latino children's health and learning. This fact sheet examines the specific impact on Latino children's well-being and ability to learn and provides steps to keep children healthy and ready for school.

Recess is an important part of a comprehensive school physical activity program by providing physical activity to students during the school day, in addition to physical education and classroom physical activity. Unfortunately, recess in the United States is not an expected part of the school day, especially in middle and high schools. High-stakes…

The purpose of the National Conference was for attendees to: (1) Review research and policy recommendations and goals identified at the November 2015 "Environmental Health at School: Ignored Too Long" panel and facilitated workshop; (2) Hear about risks and exposures at schools and their impact on children; (3) Understand the Centers for…

Although research suggests various effective interventions to curb obesity, there remains a gap between current evidence and sustainable practice in schools and communities. School settings present a logical platform for this work, since children spend much of their time in school. This article describes the Building Healthy Schools Program, a…

Purpose/Objectives: This study was designed to explore the professional networks of rural school food service directors (FSD), the resources they use for implementing the Healthy, Hunger-free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA), and their needs for information and support to continue to implement successfully. Methods: Rural FSD participated in an in-depth…

The Hawai'i State Department of Education is excited to provide a comprehensive menu of engaging summer learning opportunities for students in the summer months. Summer learning has been expanded beyond the traditional summer school model to appeal to and reach as many students as possible. Offerings will span all grade levels, from a transition…

School counselors and school nurses strive to support the well-being of students in K-12 school settings. Both professionals often overlap and interact with the same students prompting the need for effective collaboration. The purpose of this article is to introduce a collaboration model to assist school counselors and school nurses in forming a…

Public spending on children is an investment in the nation's future, as it aims to support their healthy development and human potential. To inform policymakers, children's advocates, and the general public about how public funds are spent on children, this 14th edition of the annual "Kids' Share" report provides an updated analysis of…

Early childhood mental health consultation (ECMHC) is a framework that continues to expand as students' social-emotional needs emerge at younger ages. The present systematic review examines the extant literature surrounding the use of ECMHC and behavioral consultation in addressing mental health concerns and challenging behaviors in preschool…

Nearly a quarter of the students in the U.S. education system have a chronic health condition, disability, or special healthcare need. Students living in poverty and those at risk for or with disabilities have higher rates of health issues and encounter more barriers to accessing appropriate health care than their peers. The reciprocal influences…

Too many students spend their days in buildings with unhealthy air, have limited opportunities for physical activity, and have inadequate access to fresh water, nutritious food or a school nurse. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) recognizes the need for schools to support the whole child and specifically acknowledges the importance of health…

The 34th edition of the Annie E. Casey Foundation's KIDS COUNT® Data Book describes how the country's lack of affordable and accessible child care negatively affects children, families and U.S. businesses. This year's publication continues to present national and state data across four domains--economic well-being, education, health and family and…