eNotes
March 24, 2017In this Issue:
- Series of Reports on Social and Emotional Learning for Young Children Source: Institute of Education Sciences - March 21, 2017
- National Center on Improving Literacy (NCIL) Launches Website. Source: U.S. Department of Education - March 21. 2017
- New AAP Screening in Practices Initiative Source: American Academy of Pediatrics - March 2017
- Cultural Responsiveness Resource Guide Source: National Research Center on Hispanic Children and Families - March 23, 2017
- Infant Mortality Rates for the United States Reach New Lows Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - March 21, 2017
1. Series of Reports on Social and Emotional Learning for Young Children
The Institute of Education Sciences' Mid-Atlantic Regional Educational Laboratory Program (REL) recently released a four-part series of reports on social and emotional learning (SEL) for young children. Based on a systematic review and synthesis of recent research reviews and meta-analyses on the topic of SEL, the report summarizes the benefits of social and emotional learning (SEL) in early childhood, and identifies the characteristics of effective SEL interventions. It contains information about federal, state, and district policies that support the implementation of SEL programs, teacher and classroom strategies that contribute to SEL, and how SEL outcomes can vary with diverse groups of children.
2. National Center on Improving Literacy (NCIL) Launches Website.
The new National Center on Improving Literacy recently launched its website. NCIL will provide technical assistance services to families to improve literacy outcomes for children in pre-K through grade 12 with, or at risk for, literacy-related disabilities, including dyslexia. Family-focused activities will include a repository of evidence-based products and assessments; the online Kids Zone, which facilitates effective child-adult interactions for literacy development; the Ask-an-Expert tool; and a text messaging plug-in to receive text messages alerting users to new resources, events, or literacy tips. NCIL is jointly administered by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education.
3. New AAP Screening in Practices Initiative
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently launched a Screening in Practices Initiative to help improve the health, wellness, and life course of children through practice and system-based interventions for early childhood screening, referral, and follow-up. The Initiative will provide screening recommendations, practice tools, and individualized assistance. An important component of the initiative will be the National Technical Assistance Resource Center on Screening (NTARCS). Learn more about the initiative here.
4. Cultural Responsiveness Resource Guide
The National Research Center on Hispanic Children and Families has released a new resource guide to help community-based organizations find relevant resources for developing and implementing culturally competent programs in increasingly diverse communities. Developing Culturally Responsive Approaches to Serving Diverse Populations: A Resource Guide for Community-Based Organizations (March 2017), includes information on choosing, adapting or developing interventions, conducting needs assessments, selecting appropriate measures, collaborating with other organizations, ensuring workforce diversity, budgeting for culturally competent programs, and more.
5. Infant Mortality Rates for the United States Reach New Lows
The CDC's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) recently published NCHS Data Brief, No. 279 (March 2017), which finds that infant mortality rates in the U.S. reached new lows in 2014 for almost all groups (Hispanic, non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Asian or Pacific Islander), with the exception of American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN). Declines in infant mortality rates were seen in two-thirds of all U.S. states and D.C. The brief also finds that the overall infant mortality rate in the U.S. has declined 15 percent from 6.86 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2005 to 5.82 in 2014.