<description>In this episode of Abstract we spoke with researchers and education leaders in the MERC region about the recent expansion of the Virginia Literacy Act to include middle schools across the Commonwealth. The conversation centers around a MERC research and policy review focused on this expansion (linked below) and how those findings resonate with efforts in local school divisions. Guests include Kendall Hunt (Education Specialist for Middle School Literacy in Henrico County Public Schools), Candace Bechtold (PhD Student in Curriculum, Culture, and Change at VCU), Val Robnolt (Associate Professor of Teaching and Learning at VCU), and David Naff (MERC Director and Associate Professor of Research, Assessment, and Evaluation at VCU). 

MERC REPORT
Virginia Literacy Act Expansion: Implications for Middle Schools
https://merc.soe.vcu.edu/reports/reports/virginia-literacy-act-expansion-implications-for-middle-schools.html</description>

In this episode of Abstract we spoke with researc…

In this episode of Abstract we spoke with researchers and education leaders in the MERC region about the recent expansion of the Virginia Literacy Act to include middle schools across the Commonwealth. The conversation centers around a MERC research and policy review focused on this expansion (linked below) and how those findings resonate with efforts in local school divisions. Guests include Kendall Hunt (Education Specialist for Middle School Literacy in Henrico County Public Schools), Candace Bechtold (PhD Student in Curriculum, Culture, and Change at VCU), Val Robnolt (Associate Professor of Teaching and Learning at VCU), and David Naff (MERC Director and Associate Professor of Research, Assessment, and Evaluation at VCU). 

MERC REPORT
Virginia Literacy Act Expansion: Implications for Middle Schools
https://merc.soe.vcu.edu/reports/reports/virginia-literacy-act-expansion-implications-for-middle-schools.html

Virginia Literacy Act Expansion: Implications for Middle Schools

<description>In this episode we spoke with Kade Goldin (VCU School of Social Work), Maggie Wallace (Washington University in St. Louis), and Shenita Williams (Henrico County Public Schools) about a recent MERC report and dashboard focused on how prepared faculty and staff are to support student mental health in PK-12 schools. Hosted by David Naff (MERC Director). The report and dashboard are linked below the episode description. 

Report: https://merc.soe.vcu.edu/reports/reports/pk-12-faculty-and-staff-capacity-to-support-student-mental-health.html

Dashboard: https://lookerstudio.google.com/reporting/bebeaa85-30f3-442d-a431-9456d31bbae1</description>

In this episode we spoke with Kade Goldin (VCU Sc…

In this episode we spoke with Kade Goldin (VCU School of Social Work), Maggie Wallace (Washington University in St. Louis), and Shenita Williams (Henrico County Public Schools) about a recent MERC report and dashboard focused on how prepared faculty and staff are to support student mental health in PK-12 schools. Hosted by David Naff (MERC Director). The report and dashboard are linked below the episode description. 

Report: https://merc.soe.vcu.edu/reports/reports/pk-12-faculty-and-staff-capacity-to-support-student-mental-health.html

Dashboard: https://lookerstudio.google.com/reporting/bebeaa85-30f3-442d-a431-9456d31bbae1

How prepared are PK-12 faculty and staff to support student mental health?

<description>In this episode we spoke with Jenna Conlee (Henrico County Public Schools), Andrea Herndon (Hanover County Public Schools), Amy Jefferson (Virginia Commonwealth University), and Tomika Ferguson (Virginia Commonwealth University) about a recent MERC report sharing findings from a multiple case study focused on how enrollment practices promote or inhibit access to advanced coursework. We talked about recommendations for policy and practice based on the findings. The report is linked below the episode description. Hosted by David Naff (MERC Director).

https://merc.soe.vcu.edu/reports/reports/exploring-perceptions-of-advanced-coursework-enrollment-practices-a-multiple-case-study.html</description>

In this episode we spoke with Jenna Conlee (Henri…

In this episode we spoke with Jenna Conlee (Henrico County Public Schools), Andrea Herndon (Hanover County Public Schools), Amy Jefferson (Virginia Commonwealth University), and Tomika Ferguson (Virginia Commonwealth University) about a recent MERC report sharing findings from a multiple case study focused on how enrollment practices promote or inhibit access to advanced coursework. We talked about recommendations for policy and practice based on the findings. The report is linked below the episode description. Hosted by David Naff (MERC Director).

https://merc.soe.vcu.edu/reports/reports/exploring-perceptions-of-advanced-coursework-enrollment-practices-a-multiple-case-study.html

How do enrollment practices promote access to advanced coursework?

<description>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</description>

In this episode of Abstract we spoke with Audra L…

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

What are trends, challenges, and evidence-based strategies for school dropout prevention?

<description>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</description>

In this episode of Abstract, we discussed the Vir…

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

Understanding the Virginia Literacy Act

Abstract is the podcast of the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium at Virginia Commonwealth University. We explore issues in public, PK12 education.

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