College Board Changes Admissions Resource
The College Board has announced updates and improvements to Landscape, previously called the Environmental Context Dashboard. The resource will no longer display the “adversity score.” College Board is also sharing new details on how Landscape works, including a comprehensive description of the data, methodology, and appropriate usage guidelines that participating colleges must follow. Beginning next year, schools, students, and families will be able to see the same information about high schools and neighborhoods that colleges see. These changes come in response to feedback from educators and families after the admissions scandal of last year. The revised resource offers greater consistency in the admissions process, providing admissions professionals with organized information on schools and neighborhoods.
GLSEN:Improving Education, Creating a Better Worldfor 30 Years
The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, known as GLSEN (pronounced “glisten”), was founded in 1990 by a small but dedicated group of teachers in Massachusetts who came together to improve the education system for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, ad questioning (LGBTQ) community. In 2020, this group is celebrating 30 years of advocacy and is now the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe and affirming schools for LGBTQ students. GLSEN wants every student in every school to be valued and treated with respect, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The group believes that all students deserve a safe and affirming school environment where they can learn and grow.
School Districts Are Doubling Down on Drug Testing
Thirteen-year-old Aura Brillhart and her 11-year-old sister, Morgan, are facing a new sort of test in school this year: a drug test. The Fort Scott middle level and high schools, in Fort Scott, KS, are among the latest to require random drug testing of students who want to participate in sports, clubs, dances, or any other extracurricular activities. “I hate that it’s even an issue,” says parent Jody Hoener, “but putting our heads in the sand isn’t going to make things any better.” Fort Scott joins the growing number of communities across America testing kids as young as 11 for illicit drug use. More schools are adopting drug testing even as research remains mixed on how effective it is at reducing teen drug use. Supporters say drug testing gives kids a reason to say no to drugs and may identify students who need help with drug problems, but opponents argue it invades student privacy and diverts money from educational priorities.
PBLWorks Partners With the Bezos Family Foundation to Launch Hunger Challenge
PBLWorks, a leader in project-based learning (PBL) professional development, has partnered with Students Rebuild, a program of the Bezos Family Foundation, to create a high-quality PBL unit for the upcoming Hunger Challenge. K–12 educators and students are invited to participate in the challenge to explore solutions for hunger and malnutrition around the world and raise funds for youth-focused nutrition programs. The Bezos Family Foundation will donate $3 for each piece of art created by students to help address hunger and malnutrition globally. The challenge runs through June 5. To download the Hunger Challenge PBL Unit, visit http://go.pblworks.org/hunger-project.