In this episode of Abstract we spoke with Audra Lancaster (Chesterfield County Public Schools), Thea Racelis (Virginia Commonwealth University), and Meleah Ellison (VCU Institute for Collaborative Research and Evaluation) about trends, challenges, and evidence-based strategies related to school dropout prevention. The conversation is based on a MERC research and policy brief on the topic linked below. Hosted by David Naff (MERC Director).

Research brief: https://merc.soe.vcu.edu/reports/reports/trends-challenges-and-evidence-based-strategies-for-school-dropout-prevention-in-virginia.html

In this episode of Abstract, we discussed the Virginia Literacy Act with Taylor Snow from Henrico County Public Schools, Jennifer McSweeny from the Virginia Literacy Partnerships at the University of Virginia, and Valerie Robnolt, Kim Bridges, and Mike Crusco from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education. We discussed a recent MERC research and policy brief providing an overview of relevant trends, literature, and policies pertaining to the Virginia Literacy Act and discussed the implications at the state and local level. The brief is available for free public download through MERC here:

https://merc.soe.vcu.edu/reports/reports/understanding-the-virginia-literacy-act.html

In this episode of Abstract we spoke with Sean Miller (Chief Executive Officer) and Jeanine Turner (Chief Impact Officer) from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond, along with Sidney Gunter (Director of Academic Programs and Supports) from Richmond Public Schools and Alicia Taylor (community nonprofit leader and VCU EdD student) about the role of out-of-school time providers in urban school systems in a post-COVID context. During the conversation, we summarize a recent research and policy brief from MERC on this topic and talk about the future of out-of-school time programming. The brief is available for open access download here:

https://merc.soe.vcu.edu/reports/reports/understanding-the-role-of-out-of-school-time-ost-providers-in-urban-school-systems-in-a-post-covid-context.html

In this episode we spoke with Alisha Bazemore (Assistant Director of Innovative Work-Based Learning Initiatives for V-TOP), Ashley Crute (Associate for Innovative Work-Based Learning Initiatives for V-TOP), and Amy Corning (Senior Research Associate, VCU Institute for Collaborative Research and Evaluation) about a recent report from the ICRE and MERC about work-based learning (WBL) in institutions of higher education and PK-12 school systems. Throughout the conversation we discussed how the findings resonate with work-based learning in Virginia, specifically through the work of the Virginia Talent Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP). The report was produced in partnership with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV)

Access the report here:

https://merc.soe.vcu.edu/reports/published-reports/work-based-learning/

In this episode, we spoke with Christina Alga (High School Counselor in Hanover County Public Schools), Alicia Gaston (Founder of Maximizing Character), and Kim Dupre (Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports Coach) about research-based strategies for addressing school bullying since the onset of COVID-19. Throughout the discussion we reflected on findings from a MERC research and policy brief focused on school bullying prevention: https://merc.soe.vcu.edu/reports/reports/addressing-school-bullying-since-the-onset-of-covid-19.html

Who gets identified as gifted in elementary school? Who takes Algebra I in middle school? Who takes Advanced Placement classes in high school? In this episode we spoke with Andrea Herndon (Hanover County Public Schools), Beverly Fludd-Flanagan (Petersburg City Public Schools), and Chris Parthemos (Virginia Commonwealth University) about two new dashboards from MERC that depict advanced coursework participation across K-12 in the MERC region and Virginia. Listen to learn more about how these dashboards inform the work of local educators and click below to access the dashboards.

https://merc.soe.vcu.edu/projects/equitable-access-and-support-for-advanced-coursework/#Dashboards

In this episode we spoke with Dr. Julie Ellis (Bridging Communities Regional Career and Technical Center/Governor’s STEM Academy), Dr. Maggie Hartley (The National WWII Museum in New Orleans), Dr. Therese O’Dea (New Kent County Public Schools), Dr. Kate Puschak (Loudon County Public Schools) & Dr. Erin Sturgis (Virginia Department of Education)about strategies for staffing K-12 schools for student mental health supports.

The conversation is based on their capstone report for the VCU School of Education available here: https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/edd_capstone/12/

The executive summary is available on the MERC website: https://merc.soe.vcu.edu/projects/mental-health/#Report

Among the critical functions of K-12 schools, they are positioned to support the mental health needs of their students, faculty, staff, and families. To discuss how the research on this topic relates to everyday practice, we spoke with Patrice Beard(Mental Health Liaison for the Center for Family Involvement at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Partnership For People with Disabilities), Laura Early (Coordinator of Psychological and Diagnostic Services in Chesterfield County Public Schools), Amy Johnson (Student Support and Wellness Specialist in Henrico County Public Schools), Matt Shenker (Head of Experience for Pathly, Inc), Erica Daniels (School Counselor at Vernon Johns Middle School in Petersburg City Public Schools), and Felicia Friend-Harris (School Psychologist and Lead Educational Diagnostician for Richmond Public Schools). Hosted by David Naff (MERC Associate Director and former High School Counselor).

Authors of a recent systematic literature review discuss their findings related to the mental health impacts of COVID-19 on PK-12 students. Guests include David Naff (MERC Associate Director at Virginia Commonwealth University), Jenna Darby (Research and Evaluation Specialist in Chesterfield County Public Schools), Shenita Williams (Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University), and Melissa Yeung (Student Services Coordinator for the School of Physical Therapy at Bowling Green State University). Click below to access the full article from AERA Open:

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/23328584221084722

This episode pulled together experts from throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia for a discussion about who takes dual enrollment classes in high school. Guests include: Lori Dwyer (Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs at Reynolds Community College), Jenna Lenhardt (Recruitment Specialist for the VCU School of Education), David Naff (MERC Associate Director), Patricia Parker (Director of Transfer Virginia for SCHEV and VCCS), Taylor Reahard (Dual Enrollment Instructor at Goochland High School in Goochland County Public Schools), Allen Riddle (Director of Dual Enrollment at Reynolds Community College), and Addisyn Winston - 12th grade student at Goochland High School in Goochland County Public Schools).

Check out the research brief that accompanies this episode here:

https://merc.soe.vcu.edu/reports/published-reports/who-takes-dual-enrollment-classes/