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In this episode of Abstract we spoke with researchers and leaders from school divisions and state agencies to discuss the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) for teaching, learning, and policy. The discussion was grounded in two MERC reports exploring the topic through research literature as well as policy at the state and school division level. Guests include Jon Becker (Associate Professor of Educational Leadership - Virginia Commonwealth University), Calypso Gilstrap (Executive Director of the Office of Innovation - Virginia Department of Education), Sidney Gunter (Director of Academic Programs and Supports - Richmond Public Schools), Jesse Senechal (Executive Director of the Institute for Collaborative Research and Evaluation - Virginia Commonwealth University) and Matthew Stanley (Senior Advisor for Advocacy and Policy - Richmond Public Schools). Hosted by MERC Director David Naff. MERC reports: https://merc.soe.vcu.edu/reports/reports/ai-in-pk-12-education-implications-for-teaching-and-learning.html https://merc.soe.vcu.edu/reports/reports/ai-policy-in-virginia-public-schools-a-comparative-analysis.html VDOE resources: https://www.doe.virginia.gov/programs-services/school-operations-support-services/technology-in-education

In this episode of Abstract we invited leaders of Career and Technical Education (CTE) from MERC school divisions to have a conversation with authors of a MERC research and policy review focused on the history, purpose, and policy implications of CTE. Guests include Mac Beaton (Director of Career and Technical Education for Henrico County Public Schools), Courtney Ward (Director of Secondary Success Pathways for Richmond Public Schools), Katy Stokes (Coordinator of Work-Based Learning for Chesterfield County Public Schools), LaTonja Wright (Transition Specialist for VCU’s Training and Technical Assistance Center through the Virginia Department of Education), Phelton Moss (Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at VCU), and David Naff (Director of MERC and Associate Professor of Research, Assessment, and Evaluation at VCU). MERC REPORT Career and Technical Education: Historical Insights, Current Impacts, and Policy Implications https://merc.soe.vcu.edu/reports/reports/career-and-technical-education-historical-insights-current-impacts-and-policy-implications.html

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

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

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

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/