Brookings Report Looks at ESSA’s “Wraparound Services” for Low-Income Students
July 15, 2016
The Brookings Institution has published a report addressing ESSA’s “wraparound services” – programs designed to boost low-income student performance by “developing or securing and coordinating supports that target academic and non-academic barriers to achievement.” Under ESSA, the ability to address barriers to low-income and other disadvantaged students will be strengthened by new tracking requirements. The study praises programs like City Connects, which blames achievement gaps on income inequality, homelessness, and hunger, and offers solutions through “integrated support programs” for affected children. The report concludes that there is now enough evidence to prove early intervention investments for low-income children has economic benefits, and that districts would be remiss not to take advantage of wraparound services.