COVID-19 Policy Update #147
COVID-19 Policy Update
WEDNESDAY 11/11
TOP THREE
Colorado RISE: Gov. Polis announced the first set of grants issued through the $32.7 million Response, Innovation, and Student Equity Education Fund (RISE). Release. One Pager. A few examples:
$492,000 to the Lake County School District for a mobile learning center that will be housed in a repurposed school bus to bring school-based resources and learning opportunities directly to students.
$723,000 to the charter schools Academy of Advanced Learning in Aurora and Coperni 2 and Coperni 3 in Colorado Springs to advance a “one classroom, three locations” instructional model and provide credit to students for experiences, not just academic learning.
$852,500 to the Peyton School District to develop a postsecondary and workforce-readiness program in partnership with neighboring postsecondary institutions.
$297,500 to Silverton School District to expand family outreach and support families’ basic needs, such as food, rent, mental and physical health.
$846,320 to the Montrose County School District for a partnership between Hilltop Family Resource Center, Center for Mental Health, and local police departments to address adverse childhood experiences.
$482,000 to Centennial BOCES for a partnership between the Immigrant and Refugee Center of Northern Colorado, the University of Northern Colorado, and Colorado State University to improve student and family outcomes for migrant families.
How Popular Are Pandemic Pods After All? Mike McShane with an interesting piece: "In our most recent poll, fielded in mid-October, we asked families who were participating in a pod if their pod was “in addition to or supplementing regular schooling” or “a substitute for attending regular school or virtual/remote learning.” Eighty-five percent of families said that it was in addition to what they were already doing. Only 15% said that it was substituting. The numbers were a bit more tilted in the direction of substitution for the 18% of families who were looking for a pod in October, with 33% saying that they wanted their pod to replace traditional schooling. But still, 67% of pod-seeking families see them as a supplement, not a replacement."
Biden Outlook: Our partners at Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas provided an earlly outlook on a Biden Administration's policy priorities, including Immigration Reform and Police Reform.
FEDERAL
Evidence of Fraud? Seems less and less likely. The New York Times contacted election officials in all 50 states to identify any observed fraud as they oversaw the recent elections. "Officials in 45 states responded directly to The Times. For four of the remaining states, The Times spoke to other statewide officials or found public comments from secretaries of state; none reported any major voting issues."
How Biden Could Steer Education Spending Without Waiting on Congress: EdWeek explores ways the new Administration could weave their policy preferences into various funding programs.
COVID-19 RESEARCH
The Average FDA-approved Vaccine Takes Eight Years of Development: New research found the average development time for the vaccines was a little over eight years, with a median FDA review time of a year. When it came to evidence to back these approvals, each vaccine was supported by a median of seven trials — at least two of which were pivotal trials showing efficacy.
Logistical Hurdles Facing Vaccine Distribution: Rural hospitals can't afford ultra-cold freezers to store Pfizer's vaccine. The vaccine has to be stored at a brisk -70 degrees Celsius.
STATE
Illinois: According to a survey of the Illinois Education Association (IEA) members, one-third are considering leaving the profession.
Oregon: Thousands of parents in different parts of the state have decided to join together to form a coalition to make sure Oregon leaders hear their voices. They're demanding more in-person learning options.
ECONOMIC RECOVERY
Recommendations for an Equitable Economic Recovery: JFF released a report / chart of ideas for the economic recovery. The ideas are organized around Executive Actions, Stimulus Opportunities, and Reforms to Existing Programs. Lots of good ideas for discussion, consideration, and debate.
The Business Case for Child Care: From Axios:
Working parents — who make up about a third of the U.S. workforce — are losing an average of eight hours per week due to child care responsibilities during the pandemic, per Northeastern University research.
"But Congress has really left the child care industry to fend for itself," says Alicia Modestino, an economist at Northeastern. Day care centers got just $3.5 billion in aid under the CARES Act in March. Economists say they need at least $50 billion to stay afloat.
What a Biden-Harris Win Means for ESG and Impact Investing: The folks at Ropes&Gray see a lot of potential.
Entrepreneurship Is the Vaccine for Urban Economies: Article on the importance of cities prioritizing new business creation. Outlines several actions:
Zero barriers to start. Eliminate all registration costs and licensing fees to cut red tape for new businesses at the start and in their early years.
Access to contracts. Dedicate a pilot percentage of 5% of government procurement dollars to businesses under 5 years old.
Spur local financial innovation. Create Entrepreneurial Capital Catalyst Grants to invest in starting and restarting businesses underserved by the capital marketplace.
Drive local learning. Redirect 5% of workforce training and economic-development funding into helping Americans start businesses through local and online entrepreneurial support organizations.
Easy access. Strengthen local libraries as hubs of knowledge and digital tools for entrepreneurs.
LEARNING PODS
DC Public Housing Learning Hub: Great article on a learning hub serving low-income children while DC struggles to reopen.
Montclair Design Competition: The competition asked teams to imagine a pop-up outdoor learning installation where children can socialize, mentor and engage with the outdoors in playful, hands-on ways. Ideas ranged in scale, from individual elements to modular systems that could grow and change shape. Respondents to “Designs for Outdoor Learning” design competition were asked to address these COVID-19 concerns, with an open call for designs that consider community-based solutions over the emerging trend of learning pods, and to consider how inclusive designs for learning, exploration, and play can transform Montclair’s public spaces.
RESOURCES
Equity Work: Too Much Talk, Too Little Action: Via Jal Mehta
Nearly All States Suffer Declines in Education Jobs: According to a new report from Pew.
State and local education employment was down 8.8% in October from the previous year, representing the lowest national jobs total at that point in the school year since 2000.
Nationally, local public education is down 6.9%
Nevada (-19%), West Virginia (-14%), and Florida (-13%) recorded the largest declines from a year ago.
To All The Veterans: Thank you for your service.