Pulse #26: How Rising Temperatures Hurt Student Achievement

With the same superintendent leading for more than a decade, Compton Unified’s stability is paying off. Graduation rates have climbed from 58% to 94%, and Smarter Balanced scores have improved for three straight years. Teaching academic language explicitly has been key, helping English learners understand assessment vocabulary and show what they know. Daily problem-solving and performance tasks build confidence with complex reading and math questions.

Ending gifted programs can deepen inequities by removing one of the few public paths to advanced learning. Wealthier families replace them with tutoring and private options, while low-income students lose access. True equity means finding and nurturing talent early, especially in Title I schools, so every child with potential can access rigorous courses and reach top colleges and careers.

School choice often leaves families stressed instead of empowered. In New York City, parents, especially mothers, spend months researching schools, managing applications, and competing for limited spots. Families with more time and resources navigate the system more easily, while those with fewer supports face barriers that limit their options. Without more equitable systems and stronger public schools, choice remains out of reach for many.

AI can help students stay motivated when it builds confidence, gives control, and supports learning. Studies show that consistent, guided use can increase engagement, while over-reliance can weaken confidence once the tool is gone. True motivation comes from students feeling capable, independent, and connected, whether or not AI is part of the process.

Schools are rethinking how to teach soft skills like communication, adaptability, and creativity. Hands-on projects and real-world problem solving help students learn to collaborate, take risks, and reflect on their growth. These durable skills prepare students for any career path and build confidence to keep learning as the world changes.

New NWEA research shows math scores drop when test days top 80 degrees, especially in high-poverty schools with outdated cooling systems. Students in those schools saw up to twice the performance decline. As heat waves become more common, researchers urge districts to test in cooler settings, upgrade HVAC systems, and prioritize infrastructure in communities most affected by rising temperatures.

With less federal involvement, Harvard’s new States Leading States initiative is helping nine states share effective ways to raise student outcomes. States are addressing issues like cell phone use, absenteeism, and middle school literacy while using data to test and improve their approaches. The effort aims to spread proven strategies and make continuous improvement part of every school’s work.

A new AASA guide urges district leaders to rethink how they talk about public education. Focus on student growth, belonging, and community partnership, not buzzwords that spark division. Clear and approachable communication builds trust, shows how schools prepare students for real life, and keeps the focus on kids.

With traditional education budgets tightening, schools are turning to creative funding sources for technology projects. Strong proposals show how tools improve learning, use research to demonstrate impact, and include clear plans for measuring results. Building local partnerships, planning for sustainability, and celebrating success can keep innovation moving even in uncertain times.

📤 Found Pulse K–12 helpful? Share the page with a colleague to help them keep a pulse on education too.