skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, January 17, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal officially signed in Doha; Cabinet nominees push deregulation of America's food systems; Ohio Dems encourage community-focused people to run for office; in State of State address, GA Gov. Kemp proposes tax cuts, tort reform.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Biden highlights the challenges faced reaching a Gaza ceasefire, progressives urge action on the Equal Rights Amendment, the future of TikTok remains up in the air, and plans for protests build ahead of Trump's inauguration.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

"We can't eat gold," warn opponents of a proposed Alaskan gold mine who say salmon will be decimated. Ahead of what could be mass deportations, immigrants get training about their rights. And a national coalition grants money to keep local news afloat.

Report: CT child education suffers in pandemic aftermath

play audio
Play

Tuesday, June 11, 2024   

A new report finds the well-being of Connecticut's kids is wavering in the pandemic's aftermath. The state ranks 8th in the Annie E. Casey Kids Count Data Book, up from 9th last year.

While the state advanced kids' economic well-being, progress stagnated in education. Fourth graders not proficient in reading and eighth graders not proficient in math grew exponentially.

Emily Byrne, executive director of Connecticut Voices for Children, said the report's recommendations can improve children's academic performance.

"Ensuring access to low or no-cost school meals, reliable internet connections and a place to study, and time to be with friends, teachers, and counselors," she said. "Another recommendation is around expanding access to intensive tutoring for students who are behind in their classes."

She added improving a family's economic security contributes to a child's learning ability, and said the state should invest in families and children through a state child tax credit. Connecticut's General Assembly considered legislation establishing such a credit during its legislative session. It would have provided families $600 per child for up to three children. But the bill failed to pass.

Another issue Connecticut is dealing with is chronic classroom absences.

Leslie Boissiere, vice president of external affairs with the Annie E. Casey Foundation, said states and schools should track chronic absenteeism as many states don't track this data by grade.

"Good data can lead to good policy," she explained. "So, it's important that states look at chronic absenteeism data that schools collected, they look at it by grade, and they look at strategies that can be deployed that can reduce chronic absenteeism, particularly since it's at an all-time high."

A Connecticut State Department of Education report finds absenteeism declined to 20% from almost 24% in the 2022-2023 school year. This means around 28,000 more students were attending school. Despite this, absenteeism for all students still exceeds pre-pandemic levels.

Disclosure: Annie E Casey Foundation contributes to our fund for reporting on Children's Issues, Education, Juvenile Justice, Welfare Reform. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
Federal funds will help restore Flint Creek and Jefferson River in Western Montana, benefiting wildlife, including trout, bears and migratory birds. (Melnik/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

During President Joe Biden's final weeks in office, the Interior Department has announced $41 million in support of water resources and ecosystem …


Social Issues

play sound

Mississippi is embracing the future of artificial intelligence with Gov. Tate Reeves' executive order establishing a framework for its responsible …

play sound

More Michigan residents need access to affordable housing and health insurance, according to a lawmaker pushing for change. Rep. Carrie Rheingans…


The CDC says Listeria is the third-leading cause of death from foodborne illness, with about 260 fatalities per year. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

By Grace Hussain for Sentient.Broadcast version by Zamone Perez for Maryland News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaborat…

Environment

play sound

Utility providers foresee a big rise in electricity demand which could lead to double-digit rate hikes if it is met with new natural gas-fired power p…

President-elect Trump's pick to head the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., is a fan of raw milk, which can contain dangerous pathogens and spread zoonotic diseases, like avian flu. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for Maine News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration…

Social Issues

play sound

In Minnesota and Washington, D.C., marches will take place this weekend as President-elect Donald Trump nears the start of his second term. An …

Environment

play sound

The future looks promising for green energy and manufacturing in Appalachia, and states like West Virginia are slated to receive around $1 billion in …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021