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What's the State of Play on ESEA Reauthorization?

The pending departure of Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, the speaker of the House seems to have lit a fire under negotiations on reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.




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ESEA Reauthorization: A Look at a Draft of the Bill

Click here for late stage draft of the actual bill that could become the latest iteration of the ESEA, the Every Student Succeeds Act or ESSA.




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For Your Consideration: Education Plotlines for 'House of Cards,' Season 2

The first season of the Netflix political potboiler was rich with education-policy plotlines, and we're hoping for more of the same.




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Leading Scholars Criticize Study on 3rd Grade Retention of English-Learners

A group of prominent researchers on English-learners is forcefully challenging the findings of a recent working paper that posits that 3rd grade retention was a benefit to struggling English-learners in Florida.




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José Viana, Head of Federal ELL Office to Resign

"I will forever be grateful for the opportunity and privilege I have been given to serve my country and its learners," Viana wrote in an email to supporters this week.




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On Bilingualism, Bias, and Immigration: Our Top English-Learner Stories of 2019

Education Week's top English-language learner stories on 2019 explored who's teaching the nation's English-learners and the struggles those educators encounter on the job, how the Trump administration's immigration policies affected students and their families and examined why more schools in the Un




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Federal ELL Official Leaves for Job With Rosetta Stone

José Viana led the office of English-language acquisition since April 2017. The Education Department has not announced a successor.




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Spanish Dominates Dual-Language Programs, But Schools Offer Diverse Options

Mandarin Chinese, French, German, and Vietnamese are also among five most-offered types of dual-language programs, a new federal report shows.




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Where They Are: The Nation's Small But Growing Population of Black English-Learners

In five northern U.S. states, black students comprise more than a fifth of ELL enrollment.




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Survey: Teachers Are Conflicted About the Role of Suspensions

Most teachers say that school discipline is inconsistent or inadequate, a new study from the Fordham Institute finds.




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Court Upholds Handcuffing of 2nd Grader Who Resisted Being Led to School Office

A federal appeals court panel in St. Louis rules that a police officer did not violate the rights of a 7-year-old when he handcuffed the student for 20 minutes.




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The Haunting Reality of Discrimination in School Discipline

Discrimination based on race and disability demands our attention—and action, writes Catherine E. Lhamon, the chair of U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.




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Accreditation for Teacher Prep Needs a Makeover, Say Former Ed. Officials

The current system for accrediting schools of education isn't working, argue two former senior U.S. Department of Education officials. They think school districts and philanthropists can help.




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Learning From the Nursing Profession in the New Teacher Strike Era

As teacher strikes sweep the nation, Marc Tucker compares the trajectory of teaching to that of the nursing profession, one of high standards of entry and rigorous preparation.




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Serving God through coffee shops and carpentry

Jose, an Argentinian worker serving in Southeast Asia, tells of how he entered overseas service and what he has seen God do through his not-so-typical ministry.




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God of unity

Rosario, Argentina :: Crewmembers with experience working with least-reached people share a message of unity between churches.




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The God of India, Singapore and the Middle East

Doron's experience on Logos Hope shows him God's faithfulness and uncovers leadership abilities he is using today in a new role.




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Schuylkill Speaks: Business major Morgan Edge triumphs on and off the court

Having transferred to Penn State Schuylkill from another school her sophomore year, current senior Morgan Edge didn’t let a non-traditional start hold her back. She succeeded academically and athletically, captaining the women’s basketball team this year and leading them from an 0-23 season in 2018-19 to a PSUAC playoff berth in 2019-20.




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Beginnings of a church result from relief efforts

A woman whose home was damaged by the tsunami accepts Christ after witnessing the lives and attitudes of the volunteers working in her house.




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Word-of-mouth and prayer

A couple launches a monthly class for children and their parents despite low numbers. Through prayer and free advertising, more begin to come.




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Report Suggests Ways to Offset Economic Damage of Climate Change

Source: Public News Service - Economists warn that the costs of climate change in the U.S. – including from the health impacts of air pollution and natural disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires – could top $350 billion annually in the next 10 years.




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Poll: Majority Says Climate Change Responsible For Severity of Hurricanes

Source: The Weather Channel - A majority of Americans say they believe climate change contributed to the severity of the hurricanes that devastated Florida, Texas and parts of the Caribbean over the past six weeks, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.




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"Smart farmers" adjust to challenges of climate change

Source: The Irish Times - Harold Kingston, who runs a dairy farm in Courtmacsharry, Co Cork, with 160 cattle, is typical of the new generation of smart farmers, who have adjusted how they work in response to climate change.




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Feds Put Spotlight on Needs of Black ELLs

With more than 130,000 black ELLs in public schools, White House and U.S. Department of Education officials will develop tools for educators.




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100,000 Students Earned the Seal of Biliteracy, But They're in a Handful of States

Dozens of states offer the seal of biliteracy, but more than 80 percent of students who earn the honor are concentrated in just five states, a new report reveals.




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'English-Only' Laws in Education on Verge of Extinction

Arizona is expected to repeal its longstanding ban on bilingual education, following similar moves in California and Massachusetts in recent years.




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Influence of Birth Hospital on Outcomes of Ductal-Dependent Cardiac Lesions

It is not known whether birth at a pediatric cardiac specialty center or at a hospital with a higher neonatal level of care affects mortality for infants with ductal-dependent congenital heart disease.

For infants with ductal-dependent congenital heart disease, there is no difference in 90-day mortality for those born at specialty centers versus other centers in the state of Washington. (Read the full article)




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Fish-Oil Fat Emulsion Supplementation May Reduce the Risk of Severe Retinopathy in VLBW Infants

Docosahexaenoic acid is important for fetal brain development and visual acuity in infants. Infants born prematurely are at particular risk for docosahexaenoic acid insufficiency because they may not have benefited from a full trimester of the mother's lipid stores.

This is the first study in which the administration of fish-oil lipid emulsion in very low birth weight infants from the first day of life is described. The influence of fish-oil lipid emulsion on the regression of retinopathy seems to be worthy of further investigation. (Read the full article)




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Distribution of and Mortality From Serious Congenital Heart Disease in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

There have been no previous large studies of congenital heart disease in very low birth weight infants.

This study characterized the frequency, mortality rate, and lesion distribution of serious congenital heart disease in very low birth weight infants by using a large international multicenter database. (Read the full article)




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Cost-effectiveness of Outpatient Management for Febrile Neutropenia in Children With Cancer

Febrile neutropenia is a common complication in children with cancer. Traditionally, even low-risk episodes have been managed entirely in an inpatient setting, and discharge of the patients has been delayed until resolution of fever and sustainable hematopoietic recovery.

The results of this decision-analytic model evaluating low-risk febrile neutropenia episodes suggest that the substantially higher costs of inpatient management cannot be justified on the basis of safety and efficacy considerations or patient/parent preferences. Uncertainty remains whether intravenous or oral treatment might be the preferable route of drug administration in an ambulatory setting. (Read the full article)




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Closely Spaced Pregnancies Are Associated With Increased Odds of Autism in California Sibling Births

Autism has been associated with pregnancy and birth complications that may indicate a suboptimal prenatal environment. Although the interpregnancy interval (IPI) may affect the prenatal environment, the association between the IPI and risk for autism is not known.

Using full-sibling pairs from a large population, the authors examined the association between autism and IPIs. Second-born children conceived after an IPI of <12 months had more than threefold increased odds of autism relative to those with IPIs of ≥36 months. (Read the full article)




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Parental Understanding of Newborn Screening for Cystic Fibrosis After a Negative Sweat-Test

The current standard of care includes informing women about prenatal testing and newborn screening for cystic fibrosis and providing genetic counseling to parents whose child is referred for sweat-testing. Despite counseling, early data identified some persistent confusion about residual risk.

Prenatal discussions about carrier testing and newborn screening for cystic fibrosis are not routine. Parental anxiety about abnormal results from a screen is decreased after speaking to a genetic counselor when scheduling the sweat test. Despite counseling, residual risk continues to be poorly understood. (Read the full article)




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A Prospective Study of the Effects of Optimism on Adolescent Health Risks

Optimism later in life is protective against a range of health problems. It has commonly been a focus in adolescent mental health promotion. Cross-sectional studies suggest a protective effect against adolescent health risks, but prospective studies have been lacking.

Optimism is somewhat protective against adolescent health risks; the strongest effect was seen against the onset of new depressive symptoms. Its protective effect against heavier substance use and antisocial behavior was modest and only for the highest categories compared to the lowest. Promoting optimism along with other positive aspects of psychological and emotional style has a role in mental health promotion that is likely to be enhanced if an intervention also addresses risk and protective factors in an adolescent's social context. (Read the full article)




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Water Consumption and Use, Trihalomethane Exposure, and the Risk of Hypospadias

Few epidemiological studies, which included varied exposure assessment, have investigated the relation between drinking-water–disinfection byproducts such as trihalomethanes and hypospadias, and their results have been inconclusive.

Little evidence was found for an association between trihalomethanes and hypospadias, but a novel association between water consumption and hypospadias was found. Factors that influence maternal water consumption, or other contaminants in tap or bottled water, might explain this finding. (Read the full article)




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Clustering of Risk Factors: A Simple Method of Detecting Cardiovascular Disease in Youth

Cardiovascular risk factors predict the development of premature atherosclerosis. As the number of risk factors increases, so does the extent of these lesions. Assessment of cardiovascular risk factors is an accepted practice in adults but is not used in pediatrics.

In this study, the authors discuss how the presence of ≥2 cardiovascular risk factors is associated with vascular changes in adolescents. The findings were compared with the Patholobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth risk score to demonstrate that a simple method of clustering is a reliable tool to use in clinical practice. (Read the full article)




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Impact of Bisphosphonates on Survival for Patients With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

The use of steroids as a treatment for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy results in a slower progression in weakness. Bisphosphonates often are used in conjunction with steroid therapy to enhance bone health.

The combination of steroids and bisphosphonates seems to be associated with significantly improved survival rates compared with treatment with steroids alone. (Read the full article)




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Risk Stratification of Children Being Evaluated for Intussusception

Intussusception is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in young children. To date, there have been no prospective studies that have been able to develop a reliable clinical prediction model to determine which patients are at low risk for intussusception.

This study is the largest prospective cohort study to date to evaluate children with possible intussusception. It includes both univariate and multivariate analyses to develop clinical prediction models for patients at low risk for intussusception. (Read the full article)




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Professionalism Expectations Seen Through the Eyes of Resident Physicians and Patient Families

The professionalism of physicians can have an impact on patient care and satisfaction and physician career success and is increasingly emphasized in residency training programs.

This study was an examination of the perspectives of families of pediatric patients and of pediatrics residents on the attributes of professionalism in physicians. Important overlaps were found between the attributes of professionalism prioritized by patient families and resident physicians. (Read the full article)




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A U-Shaped Association Between Intensity of Internet Use and Adolescent Health

Internet use has rapidly become a commonplace activity, especially among adolescents. Poor mental health and several somatic health problems are associated with heavy Internet use by adolescents.

Results of this study provide evidence of a U-shaped relationship between intensity of Internet use and poorer mental health of adolescents. Heavy Internet users were also confirmed to be at increased risk for somatic health problems in this nationally representative sample of adolescents. (Read the full article)




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Nonurgent Emergency-Department Care: Analysis of Parent and Primary Physician Perspectives

Many patient and family demographic characteristics are well-known risk factors for nonurgent emergency-department use. No previous study has examined the primary care physician perspective on parental decisions regarding specific nonurgent emergency-department visits by children.

When discussing specific instances when families in their practices sought nonurgent care for children in the emergency department, physicians believed that parents acted appropriately. Neither parents nor primary care physicians saw nonurgent emergency-department visits as a significant enough problem to warrant change. (Read the full article)




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Hearing Screening in a Well-Infant Nursery: Profile of Automated ABR-Fail/OAE-Pass

Combined auditory brainstem response/otoacoustic emission testing is used to screen for auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD), which leads to failure to develop normal auditory behavior and oral language. Prevalence estimates have been obtained for infants in NICUs.

ANSD risk in well-infant nurseries has not been examined. This study contributes ANSD prevalence estimates for infants admitted to well-infant nurseries and compares the costs of 2 different 2-technology screening protocols. (Read the full article)




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Impact of Rotavirus Vaccination on Hospital-Acquired Rotavirus Gastroenteritis in Children

Approximately 27% of children with rotavirus in the hospital acquire it while hospitalized for another condition. Pediatric rotavirus vaccination greatly decreased the number of children hospitalized with rotavirus from 2007 to 2008.

Routine community-based rotavirus infant vaccination protects hospitalized children from acquiring rotavirus. Thus, community-based vaccination efforts should be encouraged as a strategy to decrease hospital-acquired rotavirus. (Read the full article)




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Early Experiences and Predictors of Recruitment Success for the National Children's Study

The National Children's Study, a large-scale, longitudinal, birth cohort study of US children that endeavors to identify preventable and environmental origins of chronic diseases, has begun recruitment.

In a highly diverse, urban setting, pregnant women can be recruited to participate in the National Children's Study at rates similar to those obtained in clinic settings. Refinements to the pregnancy screener and other components are needed to optimize implementation. (Read the full article)




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Intima-Media Thickness and Flow-Mediated Dilatation in the Helsinki Study of Very Low Birth Weight Adults

Adults born at very low birth weight (VLBW) (<1.5 kg) have higher blood pressure and higher fasting insulin levels than their peers born at term. However, they show no signs of endothelial dysfunction in childhood and in adolescence.

Adults born at a VLBW showed no endothelial dysfunction compared with term adults. They had, however, a thicker intima-media layer in relation to lumen size. More rapid growth during their first weeks of life was associated with better endothelial function. (Read the full article)




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Does Fellowship Pay: What Is the Long-term Financial Impact of Subspecialty Training in Pediatrics?

No studies have focused on the financial impact of fellowship training in pediatrics.

The results from this study can be helpful to current pediatric residents as they contemplate their career options. In addition, the study may be valuable to policy makers who evaluate health care reform and pediatric workforce-allocation issues. (Read the full article)




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Current Referral Patterns and Means to Improve Accuracy in Diagnosis of Undescended Testis

Primary care providers (PCPs) identify patients with undescended testis (UDT) and refer them to surgical specialists. Referral beyond the recommended times for orchiopexy has been reported, and PCPs' accuracy in identifying and distinguishing UDTs from retractile testes has been questioned.

We describe 3 observations that are strongly correlated with UDT, that is, birth history of UDT, prematurity, and visible scrotal asymmetry. UDT diagnoses are best made by 8 months of age, to reduce confusion with testicular retraction and to facilitate timely orchiopexy. (Read the full article)




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Prospective Assessment of Practice Pattern Variations in the Treatment of Pediatric Gastroenteritis

Although gastroenteritis guidelines describe the need to perform oral rehydration, it remains underused, resulting in excessive use of intravenous rehydration. Other interventions, such as antiemetic administration, vary according to location, often resulting in differences in cost and outcomes.

In this nationwide cohort, intravenous rehydration use varied dramatically. Use was associated with the institution providing care and an increase in the need for future health care provider visits. Use of ondansetron also varied significantly across Canada. (Read the full article)




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Effects of Recombinant Human Prolactin on Breast Milk Composition

The direct effects of prolactin on the nutritional and antimicrobial composition of breast milk have not been examined previously in women.

The study demonstrates that recombinant human prolactin increases milk volume, induces changes in milk composition consistent with those during normal lactogenesis, and increases antimicrobially active oligosaccharide concentrations. The data suggest that prolactin is an important mediator of normal lactogenesis. (Read the full article)




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Maternal Resolution of Grief After Preterm Birth: Implications for Infant Attachment Security

For mothers of children with chronic medical conditions or disabilities, such as epilepsy or cerebral palsy, a history of maternal unresolved grief regarding the child's diagnosis has been associated with insecure infant-mother attachment.

Unresolved grief related to a preterm birth is associated with the development of insecure infantmother attachment. Mothers with resolved grief after preterm birth are 2.9 times as likely to have securely attached infants, compared with mothers with unresolved grief. (Read the full article)




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Computerized Neurocognitive Testing for the Management of Sport-Related Concussions

Neurocognitive testing is recommended for the assessment of sport-related concussions. Computerized neurocognitive tests are more sensitive and more efficient than traditional neuropsychological testing in assessing sport-related concussions.

We describe the current prevalence of computerized neurocognitive testing, the relative use of the various computerized programs, the types of clinicians interpreting test scores, and associations of computerized tests with timing of return-to-play and medical provider type managing the athlete. (Read the full article)