During American Education Week, Connecticut school librarians are highlighting their value in molding young minds.

Valerie DiLorenzo, a school librarian and vice president of the Connecticut Association of School Librarians, said checking books in and out is a small part of their job. Along with this, she finds school librarians are helping kids attain a deeper understanding of the world around them like the Israel-Palestine War. She says picture books are a great way to make scary situations for kids more understandable.

"Authors have an incredible -- I think a magical -- way of making real situations more understandable and maybe offer some strategies to help improve those really horrible situations," she said.

She noted kids are eager to learn more about the world around them. A 2020 study
finds kids prefer books that teach them casual information about the world. But, books are slowly broadening the topics they touch on, ranging from what it's like to be deaf to LGBTQ+ life.

DiLorenzo said people still have misconceptions about a school librarian's job and that school librarians get involved in their schools to help with curriculum to teach kids about different topics. She said her job also involves educating students about using technology.

Many people say today's kids are digital natives, but DiLorenzo sees it differently.

"They can certainly use technology, but can they use technology productively?" she asked. "The comparison I like to use is, are we all born knowing how to read? No -- we learn how to read, we learn those skills. It's the same thing with technology, I find."

Using technology for schoolwork and information is just one way DiLorenzo helps kids learn aside from reading. She finds a critical piece to teach them is media literacy and how to discern good resources. Numerous states have enacted laws to help kids become media literate as studies show they're sorely lacking.

The Arkansas Space Grant Consortium at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock will use an $800,000 NASA grant to train students in STEM education and aerospace research.

Across the state, 18 colleges and universities are part of the consortium.

Constance Meadors, director of the consortium, said the program trains students to work for NASA as well as preparing them to work in the local aerospace industry.

"We really focus on workforce development, skills development and training," Meadors outlined. "We look to see how we can meet the needs of NASA, but also our goal is to meet the needs of the State of Arkansas as it relates to aerospace or workforce development."

Currently, 10 Arkansas college students are participating in internships at NASA Centers.

Part of the grant money will be used to create portable planetarium programs at several of the affiliate campuses, including Southern Arkansas University and Henderson State University. Students will take the planetariums to schools and community events to introduce more people to space science education.

Meadors added a recent graduate of the consortium received a research position due to his experience in the program.

"Because of having Space Grant research and experience in rocketry, the company had bumped him up," Meadors reported. "We want to impact our local aerospace industry as well, because aerospace is the number 1 export in the State of Arkansas. And so, we want to have homegrown employees."

The consortium will hold its first NASA ASTRO Camp in Arkansas in the fall semester, to teach students and faculty members how to share space exploration with younger students.

Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.


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It is only early summer but North Dakota school districts are preparing for the fall.

As in recent years, some administrators are performing what amounts to a high-wire act in balancing resources and services. This year's legislative session saw a 2.5% increase in K-12 funding.

Leslie Bieber, superintendent of Alexander Public Schools, said health insurance costs are climbing higher and the latest national rankings show North Dakota falling further behind in average teacher pay. Bieber noted all those forces create an uphill challenge in maintaining a full staff.

"We had some teachers resign and we are choosing at this point not to replace one, just to help with budgeting purposes," Bieber explained.

Bieber pointed out she will carve out time from her administrative role this fall to help with teaching duties. She acknowledged her district is lucky because its small size does not create a lot of holes to fill but she still would like broader support. Despite misgivings about current funding, controversial plans like private school vouchers or Education Savings Accounts ultimately failed.

Public school advocates said such plans can be threats to their funding. However, North Dakota will begin welcoming charter schools, an approach long opposed by teachers' unions. Bieber stressed no matter the budget challenges in their way, she wants parents and students in her district to feel reassured educators will carry out their mission.

"Our goal is to do what's best for our students, no matter what kind of funds we have," Bieber emphasized.

Like local governments, school districts will have to adjust to a 3% cap on annual property tax increases. Supporters said the cap provides much-needed relief to homeowners, especially after voters rejected a ballot question to largely do away with local property taxes but municipal and educational leaders worry about their ability to cover operational expenses.


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University officials in Indiana are rewriting guidelines for on-campus protests to address a tense political backdrop.

More students are watching and listening to see which institution shares their values.

Last month, a court blocked parts of Indiana University's "expressive activity" policy, which restricted when protests and speeches could take place.

Data from education consulting firm EAB show 14% of prospective students dismiss schools they deem too conservative, and 12% dismiss schools seen as too liberal.

Pam Royall - head of research, enrollment services, and marketing solutions at EAB - said future students are seeking colleges that reflect their beliefs.

"They're eliminating certain institutions that they believe are misaligned with their political values," said Royall, "either because they're too conservative, or they're too liberal, they're in a blue state, or a red state."

Observers call incoming students the Anxious Generation, because more young people now experience that mental health condition.

Royall said the greater sense of anxiety can also be linked to social media usage, and pressure to make decisions in an environment with competing messages.

Protection from gun violence and sexual assault are other key points students feel are important in their college search.

Forty-five percent of students surveyed said anxiety or feelings of isolation had a "moderate to extreme impact" on their college search.

Royall added that heightened stress from adjusting to the college experience can be overwhelming.

"Now," said Royall, "it's also a matter of support for mental health and wellness that is driving students' perception of safety and their sense of belonging on campuses."

Gen Z students also define a safe campus environment as one that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion, and supports free speech.