Accelify has been acquired by Frontline Education. Learn More →

Accelify Blog

School Counseling Resources Stretched Thin at Most Schools – AcceliBEAT Weekly Round Up

March 9, 2018

accelibeat logo

Happy National Social Work Week! We’d like to take this opportunity to commend and celebrate the work of school social workers across the nation and the impact they have on students. While that impact is valued tremendously, especially in light of the recent attention to the issues surrounding student mental health, research shows most states are far from meeting the suggested ratio of counselors to students. More on that research below. Big policy news this week includes the federal government naming a new national autism coordinator and U.S. Secretary of Education DeVos’ “tough love” address to state chiefs, which highlights how most states are not taking full advantage of ESSA’s flexibility to introduce new innovations. In other news, what kids think about bullying may surprise you, we examine the inherent challenges of providing the best environment for students who have both a disability and qualify as intellectually gifted, and what happens when teachers bring “Black Panther” into the classroom. All this and more in this week’s AcceliBEAT!


Boy Holding Blue Iced Puzzle Piece CookieFeds Name New National Autism Coordinator
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar tapped Ann Wagner this week to be the national autism coordinator.



us secretary of education betsy devos giving speechBetsy DeVos Rips State ESSA Plans in ‘Tough Love’ Speech to Chiefs
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos—in a speech she labeled “tough love”—laid into states’ accountability plans under the Every Student Succeeds Act for not being ambitious enough, lacking innovation, and not taking full advantage of the law’s flexibilities.


truncated image of aasa medicaid infographHighlights from the AASA Annual Report on the Impact of Medicaid Cuts on Schools
As cuts to Medicaid continue to threaten such services and their funding, we stand with the AASA in their call to Congress.



cartoon of female adult helping a child hold a giant pencilSchool Counseling Resources Stretched Thin at Most Schools
The current role of school counselor is to “help all students in the areas of academic achievement, career and social/emotional development, ensuring today’s students become the productive, well-adjusted adults of tomorrow.” This is a tall order.


two kids sitting under a pink tree with flowersWhat Kids Think About Bullying and Kindness in the Trump Era
A nationally representative bullying survey is important now, in the post-Trump era, because many observers have been watching for any possible impact from the polarization of national discourse on our schools.


adult staring at computer surrounded by books

Autism-Related Challenges Persist Well Into Adulthood, Study Shows
A new study is providing a glimpse into the daily lives of adults with autism as they hit their 30s and 40s, a time period that’s traditionally received little attention from researchers looking at the developmental disorder.


Accelify Launches AcceliSCAN Scanning App
Using the AcceliSCAN iOS app, Accelify clients can now scan and send student documents directly to Accelify’s systems from their mobile device!



dyslexia cartoon with speech bubblesDyslexia: Hidden Costs and Money-Saving Techniques for Districts
Schools need to develop a three- to five-year plan for students with dyslexia, advises Noland, national director of educator engagement for Learning Ally.



two male students on laptopsFor Students with Both Gifts and Disabilities, Choices Are Few
Schools generally organize themselves according to categories: They divide students by age, grade, and often by academic progress or lack thereof. But what about students who don’t fit into those categories?


black panther movie posterTeachers Are Bringing ‘Black Panther’ to the Classroom
“Black Panther,” is not only a big hit in the box office but also in the classroom. Teachers are building lessons based on the film.





Subscribe to Our Newsletter!
Stay informed on upcoming webinars, product updates, best-practice tips, contests and more!
subscribe-button