Recommended Resources

Guidance to States and Schools on Addressing Mental Health and Substance Use in Schools
Guidance to States and Schools on Addressing Mental Health and Substance Use in Schools
Guidance to States and Schools on Addressing Mental Health and Substance Use in Schools

This bulletin guides states and school systems about addressing mental health and substance use issues in schools. It provides examples of approaches for services in schools and describes some Medicaid authorities that states may use to cover services.
Rapid Resources
The Children’s Health and Education Mapping Tool
The Children’s Health and Education Mapping Tool
The Children’s Health and Education Mapping Tool

This tool provides users with an interactive look at the intersection of school-based health centers (SBHCs) and high-need areas.
Reports
Boosting Social and Emotional Development In and Out of School
Boosting Social and Emotional Development In and Out of School
Boosting Social and Emotional Development In and Out of School

This report discusses conversations among state lawmakers on whether and how to incorporate SEL into school and after-school curriculum.
Rapid Resources
History at Home: Exploring African American Heritage, Stories, and Culture Through Online Museum Collection
History at Home: Exploring African American Heritage, Stories, and Culture Through Online Museum Collection
History at Home: Exploring African American Heritage, Stories, and Culture Through Online Museum Collection

This blog post provides the general public with access to virtual museum collections of African American history, heritage, and culture.
Best Practices
Communities Supporting Youth Attendance Toolkit
Communities Supporting Youth Attendance Toolkit
Communities Supporting Youth Attendance Toolkit

This toolkit provides community members and school staff with tools and tactics to help create an impact on students and help to improve attendance .
Rapid Resources
Forgotten in the Classroom: The Reconstruction Era
Forgotten in the Classroom: The Reconstruction Era
Forgotten in the Classroom: The Reconstruction Era

Non-profit organizations and schools partner to teach about under-explored areas in U.S. history.
Rapid Resources
Innovative Examples of Community Involvement in Schools
Innovative Examples of Community Involvement in Schools
Innovative Examples of Community Involvement in Schools

This article lists innovative ways for schools to involve community partners.
Rapid Resources
Washington SEL Implementation Brief
Washington SEL Implementation Brief
Washington SEL Implementation Brief

This brief details how youth programs and schools can improve social and emotional learning. The brief also provides resources for building partnerships to implement social and emotional learning.
Best Practices
Relationships Matter: A Toolkit for Launching an Elementary Success Mentor Initiative
Relationships Matter: A Toolkit for Launching an Elementary Success Mentor Initiative
Relationships Matter: A Toolkit for Launching an Elementary Success Mentor Initiative

This toolkit helps school districts leverage ideas and resources available from national partner organizations as well as the pioneering work of a growing number of local efforts. The toolkit offers tips, scripts, and a variety of relevant and free materials to assist in establishing an elementary success mentor program.
Best Practices
California Department of Education - School Attendance Improvement Strategies
California Department of Education - School Attendance Improvement Strategies
California Department of Education - School Attendance Improvement Strategies

California Department of Education (CDE) identifies practices, strategies, and activities that have a positive effect in encouraging students to attend school regularly.
Rapid Resources
Why Chronic Absence Matters for Faith Leaders
Why Chronic Absence Matters for Faith Leaders
Why Chronic Absence Matters for Faith Leaders

Attendance Works provides recommendations to faith-based leaders on how better prepare children for the future.
Rapid Resources
What Employers Can Do for Employees Whose Children Have Special Needs
What Employers Can Do for Employees Whose Children Have Special Needs
What Employers Can Do for Employees Whose Children Have Special Needs

This article helps working parents of children with special needs identity what they should look for in a company. It also helps employers see how they can better serve their employees.
Rapid Resources
Afterschool Toolkit: Community to Business
Afterschool Toolkit: Community to Business
Afterschool Toolkit: Community to Business

This toolkit helps after-school advocates form partnerships benefitting the business community, after-school programs, parents, and the youth who need these programs.
Best Practices
State and Federal Investments in Afterschool Programs
State and Federal Investments in Afterschool Programs
State and Federal Investments in Afterschool Programs

This article details how states and the federal government fund after-school and summer programs.
Rapid Resources
Expanding Learning Opportunities Through Afterschool Programs
Expanding Learning Opportunities Through Afterschool Programs
Expanding Learning Opportunities Through Afterschool Programs

This article describes how after-school and community-based programs are funded and supported legislatively.
Rapid Resources
Study about Religions in the Social Studies Curriculum
Study about Religions in the Social Studies Curriculum
Study about Religions in the Social Studies Curriculum

This position statement informs the general public, the K-12 community, and educators about the importance of teaching world religions in the social studies curriculum in ways that are constitutionally and academically sound.
Best Practices
Elements of Successful Schools
Elements of Successful Schools
Elements of Successful Schools

This article identifies six critical elements that impact several important aspects of schooling.
Rapid Resources
Helping Youth Transition to Adulthood: Guidance for Foster Parents
Helping Youth Transition to Adulthood: Guidance for Foster Parents
Helping Youth Transition to Adulthood: Guidance for Foster Parents

This fact sheet guides on how parents can help youth build a foundation for a successful transition to adult life outside of foster care. It also describes the challenges youth face, the effects of adolescent brain changes, and Federal laws and programs.
Reports
The Misdiagnosis of Special Education Costs
The Misdiagnosis of Special Education Costs
The Misdiagnosis of Special Education Costs

This report looks at the factors leading to increased special education costs for districts.
Best Practices
Physical Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (PECAT)
Physical Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (PECAT)
Physical Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (PECAT)

This tool helps school districts and schools conduct a clear, complete, and consistent analysis of physical education curricula for K–12 students.
Rapid Resources
New and Alternative Sources of Student Support and Funding
New and Alternative Sources of Student Support and Funding
New and Alternative Sources of Student Support and Funding

This resource provides a list of philanthropic organizations and city/county funding streams for districts/schools seeking alternative resources to provide students with necessary supports and services.
Reports
Investing for Student Success Lessons From State School Finance Reforms
Investing for Student Success Lessons From State School Finance Reforms
Investing for Student Success Lessons From State School Finance Reforms

This report looks at how federal and state governments can invest resources to achieve high-quality education and student success in ways that redress the effects of inequities and historical discrimination. The report also reviews resource inequalities in U.S. schools. It analyzes the results of efforts to address these inequalities, examining recent research on the outcomes of school finance reforms nationally and in four states—Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and North Carolina. The report also contains recommendations for federal and state actions that could support greater resource equity.
Reports
Attendance Playbook: Smart Solutions for Reducing Chronic Absenteeism
Attendance Playbook: Smart Solutions for Reducing Chronic Absenteeism
Attendance Playbook: Smart Solutions for Reducing Chronic Absenteeism

This resource provides local policymakers and educators with nearly two dozen practical strategies for improving attendance that have proven track records and in many instances are easy to introduce and simple to scale.
Best Practices
Success with STEM Toolkit
Success with STEM Toolkit
Success with STEM Toolkit

This toolkit helps users engage with a diverse set of stakeholders about the importance of high- quality STEM teaching and learning.