Forum for Thought Blog

Check out the latest from our staff in our Forum For Thought

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Trauma-responsive Educational Practices: Providing Schools with Tools to Address the Youth Mental Health Crisis
April 11, 2022
To address the crisis, Anusha provides resources to help schools with youth mental health.
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For Native Education, Community Is the Answer
January 26, 2022
Kameryn discusses challenges for Native youth in education systems and what to do about them.

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A Fresh Look at Data Tells Us Good Jobs are Returning
September 28, 2015
George Knowles, Digital Communications AssociateEver since the 2008 Great Recession, the conventional wisdom has been that for recent college graduates, findi…
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When Right Decisions Are Tough Decisions: A Case for More School Choice
September 21, 2015
Jenna Tomasello, Program AssociateI’m not a parent, but I plan to be one day, and when that day comes, I will want nothing more than for my child to receive t…
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Back-to-College Special: Freezing Summer Melt
September 14, 2015
Carinne Deeds, Program AssociateThe summer after high school is a period of preparation and relaxation for most college-going students. Typically, that time i…
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What Time Should School Start?
September 8, 2015
George Knowles, Digital Communications AssociateIt’s that time of year again. For our young people, summer vacation is fast becoming a fond memory, and studen…
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Food for Thought: How Schools Can Play a Role in Children’s Health
August 31, 2015
This is the second post in a two-part blog series. Read part one. Carinne Deeds, Policy AssociateFood insecurity and childhood hunger can play a critical role …
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Food for Thought: How Food Insecurity Affects a Child’s Education
August 24, 2015
This is the first post in a two-part blog series. Read part two. Carinne Deeds, Policy AssociateFor most school-aged youth, having food on the table after a da…
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Partnering for Better Policy – Include Teacher Voice!
August 17, 2015
Loretta Goodwin, Senior DirectorHow can teachers partner with policymakers to create better policy? This was the challenge posed by Sean McComb, 2014 National…
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Validating Alternative High School Credentials
August 10, 2015
Mikaela Zetley, Research Policy InternThe GED* often has failed to be seen as a viable option for students who have left school and now are seeking a future i…
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School’s Out for [a Stressful] Summer
August 3, 2015
Garet Fryar, Policy Research AssistantMost young people breathe a sigh of relief as the school year ends in a flurry of finals and summer freedom begins. Many…
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Closing the Opportunity Gap: Initial Success and Remaining Challenges at Schools for the Future Detroit
July 27, 2015
Ephraim Weisstein, Educational ConsultantWe all know the statistics; earning a college degree or postsecondary certificate is the new high school diploma. Mor…
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Closing Opportunity Gaps: Ask the Right Questions!
July 20, 2015
Loretta Goodwin, Senior DirectorIn order to close opportunity gaps and transform our nation’s schools, it is imperative to ask the right questions.In advocati…
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Summer Is a Season of Learning
July 13, 2015
In her June 19 Summer Learning Day message, First Lady Michelle Obama said to youth: “If you want to go to college, get a good job, and fulfill your dreams, yo…
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What’s In a Name: Re-Examining the GED
July 6, 2015
Mikaela Zetley/Research Policy InternThe momentous occasion of high school graduation —being one of hundreds dressed in long robes to walk across the stage an…
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Housing and Education Policy: Breaking Down the Silos
June 29, 2015
Jenna Tomasello, Program AssociateGrowing up in an inner-ring suburb of Buffalo, New York and attending the same school district from kindergarten through twe…
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Preparing (and Retaining) Effective Teachers for All
June 22, 2015
George Knowles, Web Communications AssociateThere’s nothing more important to a student’s education than an effective, engaged teacher. Dedicated educators wh…
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How West Kentucky Community and Technical College Helps More Students Graduate
June 15, 2015
Located in Paducah, Kentucky, a region with low educational achievement and significant industrial decline, West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCT…
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College with No Degree Doesn’t Pay
June 8, 2015
By James Rosenbaum, Caitlin Ahearn, and Janet RosenbaumOver 25 years ago, the landmark report The Forgotten Half: Pathways to Success for America’s Youth and Y…
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Words to Make Us Wiser
June 1, 2015
Jennifer Brown Lerner, Deputy DirectorIf there’s one thing I’ve learned from my involvement in education, it’s that precision around language matters. From th…
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Foster Care Youth Voices: Planing for the Future
May 29, 2015
In honor of National Foster Care Month, AYPF is featuring the stories and advice of four young people who were in the foster care system.My name is Maria and a…
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Foster Care Youth Voices: Value of Therapy
May 28, 2015
In honor of National Foster Care Month, AYPF is featuring the stories and advice of four young people who were in the foster care system. My name is Shannon, I…