AI Companions Pose Risk to Student MH
Parents and researchers are sounding the alarm that AI companions pose serious risks to children and teens, which can include intensifying mental health conditions like depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD and bipolar disorder. In fact, anyone under the age of 18 is strongly advised by children’s media safety and mental health…
The Minnesota School Shooting Can Impact All Students
One of the issues that comes to the forefront when dealing with a school shooting is the psychological impact it can have. The Psychological First Aid intervention provides guidance on responding to disaster, violence, or terrorism events. This version gives school administrators, educators, and staff practical assistance to meet immediate…
Poll: Two-thirds of Parent Want to Keep USDE, while Majority also Support School Choice
Despite a shift in attitude away from public schools, 57th annual PDK International Poll released August 19, 20205 found that 66% of respondents were opposed or strongly opposed to the closure of the U.S. Department of Education (USDE). Only 22% said they support or strongly support shuttering the agency. Conversely,…
NASEM Report: Protect Student MH During Active Shooter Drills
According to a 234-page report recently released by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), active shooter drills — while intended to make schools safer for students and staff — can cause mental, emotional and behavioral harm for the very populations they seek to protect. As a result,…
Illinois is First State to Require Universal MH Screenings at Schools
On August 7, 2025, Illinois became the first state to require school districts to provide universal mental health screenings for students when SB 1560 was passed into law. Under the law, which goes into effect for the 2027-28 school year, Illinois schools will receive access to free screening tools and…
Special Ed. Teacher Shortage Continues: What Some are Doing About It
According to the Learning Policy Institute (LPI), 45 states reported special education teacher shortages in 2024-25 based on data reported to the Education Department. An LPI analysis shows that 48 states and the District of Columbia had 365,967 teachers who were not fully certified for their positions. Teacher preparation enrollment…
MD Turns to Fired Federal Workers to Solve Staffing Shortage
Maryland is providing $1 million in grants to 11 colleges and universities within the state to create or expand online programs that will allow federal employees laid off by the Trump administration to earn a teaching license. The move is part of the state’s efforts to address teacher shortages. The…
JAMA: Leading Cause of Death of Kids and Teens is Guns, and State Laws Make a Difference
The leading cause of death in children is firearm injuries and, according to a policy brief from 2021, a child or teen is killed in the U.S. every 2 hours and 48 minutes. Now, a Journal of American Medical Association study has shown that states with permissive gun laws experienced…
KIDS COUNT Study Reports on Child Well-Being
On June 9, 2025, the Annie E. Casey Foundation released the 2025 edition of the KIDS COUNT® Data Book, an annually published resource that tracks child well-being across the country. Every year, the Data Book presents national and state data from 16 indicators in four domains — economic well-being, education,…