Policy Currents | The newsletter for policy people
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** May 21, 2024
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Less Than Half of Eligible Students Enrolled in Summer School Last Year
As the school year comes to a close, many districts are preparing to launch their summer learning programs--one of the main ways they aim to help students recover from pandemic learning loss.
A new RAND study highlights results from a survey of educators conducted after last year's summer programs ended. The report may be valuable to school districts looking to ensure that such programs benefit more students, particularly those who are struggling.
Here are some of the key insights:
- In 2023, 81 percent of school districts offered summer programs, typically to both elementary and secondary grade levels.
- The largest programs were typically free of charge, ran for four weeks, offered about four hours of academic instruction per day, and hired district teachers for at least some, if not all, of academic instruction.
- The largest programs typically enrolled less than half of eligible students--whether or not they had eligibility restrictions.
- Less than one in five school districts' largest elementary summer programs met the minimum recommended hours of instruction found to academically benefit students.
These findings point to potential areas of improvement for summer learning programs across the country. For example, to support strong attendance, school districts could set clear attendance policies, a firm enrollment deadline and, if possible, provide attendance incentives. This could help summer learning opportunities reach the students who need them the most.
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How Ukraine Can Regain Momentum
As Ukraine's position in the fight against Russia becomes progressively more perilous, Kyiv and its Western backers may need to change their overall approach to the war. That's according to RAND's Raphael Cohen and Gian Gentile. "Ukraine can no longer afford to simply wait the Russians out, refrain from striking military and logistical targets inside Russia, and hope that the artillery duels in eastern Ukraine will eventually turn in their favor," they say. Ukraine will instead need to go on the offensive. That means removing Western restrictions on Ukraine striking Russia--and accepting the potentially escalatory consequences that might follow.
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Gaza's Floating Pier and the U.S. Army Watercraft Program
In March, the U.S. Army's largest watercraft, LSV-1, cast off for Gaza. It was followed by several other ships loaded with equipment to build a floating pier and parts of a modular causeway system. U.S. troops finished constructing the pier last week, and trucks are now delivering aid into Gaza. RAND's Christopher Pernin and Joslyn Fleming say that this deployment highlights what some may refer to as a polarity: The Army watercraft program can play a pivotal role in humanitarian assistance, but humanitarian missions don't drive the program's existence.
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** Analyzing the Rise of AI: Insights from RAND
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AI tools are evolving quickly, and decisionmakers are grappling with how to maximize the potential benefits and minimize the risks. Insights from RAND can help. Our researchers have been studying how AI will affect national security, the economy, health care, and much more.
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** RAND Recommends
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- The Pardee RAND Graduate School is launching a new Master of National Security Policy degree. The program focuses on the tools of defense policy analysis, taught by RAND experts. Applications are now open for fall 2024.
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- China's military forces have been getting closer to Taiwan's shores. RAND's Raymond Kuo discussed this issue on CNBC. "At some point, Taiwan has to respond" to Beijing's increased pressure, he said.
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- RAND's Bradley Martin spoke to the Associated Press about how limited space in ports can increase the risks of disasters like the bridge collapse in Baltimore.
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