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New Analysis of School Accountability Policies Finds Most States Now Measuring Chronic Absenteeism, College and Career Readiness

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Education Commission of the States Releases 50-State Comparison and Assessment Resources for Education Leaders and Policymakers

DENVER, Oct. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Education Commission of the States, a national nonpartisan organization that informs, counsels, and convenes education leaders to create effective education policy, today released a 50-state analysis that found about 75% of states now include chronic absenteeism and college and career readiness as performance indicators in their state systems of school accountability. The inclusion of these measures reflect the shared priorities of policymakers across the nation, regardless of political affiliation.

Federally-mandated school accountability systems serve many purposes, including sharing information, measuring progress toward state and local goals, highlighting gaps in performance between student groups, and identifying schools for support and additional resources.

“In the wake of the pandemic, as schools continue to recover from interrupted instruction and look for ways to support student success, it’s more important than ever for state education leaders and policymakers to capture and communicate a complete picture of student and school performance,” said ECS President José Muñoz. “Our 50-State Comparison aims to equip education leaders with an objective nationwide view of accountability policies and emerging trends that may help inform effective education policy. It also serves as a launching point to convene leaders, across political party lines, to share best practices that lead to excellent education experiences for all students.”

The 50-State Comparison comes as many states update their plans to comply with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Since state ESSA plans were approved, COVID-19 pandemic school closures resulted in a two-year pause on state accountability. Additionally, states have amended their ESSA plans to account for shifting priorities and legislative changes, challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic and implementation lessons. Among the key takeaways from this year’s comparison:

At least 37 states and the District of Columbia include a measure of college and career readiness in their accountability system. Every student should graduate high school prepared for their next step in life, whether that is enrolling in college or entering the workforce. States are measuring how well schools prepare graduates in different ways, ranging from achieving cut scores on college entrance exams to completing early postsecondary opportunities or work-based learning experiences. Georgia captures students entering postsecondary institutions without requiring remedial or developmental coursework in their college and career readiness indicator, while Delaware includes credit accumulation for 9th graders to credit schools for keeping students on track to graduation.

At least 36 states include chronic absenteeism in their accountability system. Chronic absenteeism—students missing 10% or more of school—was a challenge for schools even before the pandemic but has since been exacerbated, reaching a rate of about 31% in 2021-22. Research shows chronic absenteeism can have a major impact on student performance. Earlier this year, the Biden-Harris Administration urged states to adopt strategies to increase attendance, including by adding chronic absenteeism as an indicator in their statewide accountability and improvement systems. Iowa recently adopted an indicator of chronic absenteeism that credits schools for improving attendance rates for students identified as chronically absent in the previous year.

At least 16 states operate a unique state accountability system separate from the accountability system outlined in the state ESSA plan. State plans utilize different metrics, rating systems, and reporting mechanisms. A geographically and politically diverse group of states, like California and Missouri, operate separate state accountability systems that address concerns specific to the state’s unique education context and goals.

States are evolving the way they label and communicate overall school performance, with some shifting away from A-F ratings. States most commonly rate school performance using Descriptive Ratings, like “below expectations” or “meets expectations” (13 states), Index Ratings (12 states and the District of Columbia) and Federal Tiers of Support (14 states). Six states use A-F ratings and four states use 1-5 star ratings. The most notable change over time is a shift away from using A-F ratings. This year, for example, two fewer states—Indiana and Michigan—are using A-F ratings.

You can view the full findings of the comparison here.

In addition to the 50-State Comparison, ECS has published key information for state leaders on student assessment and a Special Report that explores federal assessment requirements, flexibilities and ways that states use assessment as a measurement tool to inform policy.

You can view all resources here.

About Education Commission of the States

Education Commission of the States (ECS) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that serves as a partner to state policymakers by providing personalized support and opportunities to learn from one another. Through their resources and services, policymakers gain the insight and experience needed to create effective education policy. Learn more at ecs.org.

CONTACT: Thomas Rodgers, 601-334-6655, thomas@whiteboardadvisors.com.

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SOURCE Education Commission of the States

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139th Canton Fair Phase 3 Advances Toward a Better Life with New and Strengthened Product Zones

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May 3, 2026

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GUANGZHOU, China, May 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The 139th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) has rolled out nine newly established product zones. Phase 3 features an expanded and upgraded Intelligent Healthcare zone and the inaugural presentation of a Functional & Technical Fabrics zone.

The upgraded Intelligent Healthcare zone brings together 50 companies presenting a full spectrum of intelligent medical solutions, spanning AI-powered diagnostics, surgical robotics, and next‑generation eldercare technologies. Exhibits highlight how medical devices are becoming smaller, more precise, and increasingly non‑invasive. Capsule endoscopy systems demonstrate how gastrointestinal screening can be completed without discomfort, while AI‑enabled traditional Chinese medicine analyzers compress the inspection and inquiry process into minutes. Wearable glucose monitors make chronic disease management easier and more convenient.

Robotic technologies play a prominent role as well. Endoscopic and orthopedic surgical robots showcase enhanced precision through integrated human‑machine coordination, while bionic prosthetic hands use non‑invasive myoelectric sensing to independently control each finger. Intelligent rehabilitation systems, including lower‑limb exoskeletons and hand‑training devices, provide consistent support for patients recovering mobility. Companion‑style eldercare robots, equipped with monitoring and telemedicine functions, signal the rise of integrated home‑based health services.

The debuting Functional & Technical Fabrics zone highlights how the traditional textile industry is moving toward higher-end and smarter products. Exhibitors present materials that combine multi‑layered performance with intelligent responsiveness. Textiles featuring temperature‑regulating fibers, phase‑change materials, and light‑ or heat‑sensitive color‑shifting effects illustrate how fabrics are evolving into adaptive platforms capable of responding to environmental conditions.

Sustainability emerges as a defining theme. Bio‑based fibers, degradable films, recycled polyester, and organic cotton reflect a shift from isolated eco‑products toward full‑chain green manufacturing. High‑performance outdoor and protective applications further shape the narrative. Materials engineered for waterproof breathability, UV resistance, flame retardancy, and long‑term durability address rising demand across sportswear, professional protection, and medical environments. Smart textiles with embedded health‑monitoring modules demonstrate how apparel is beginning to function as a continuous wellness interface.

Both technology‑driven healthcare and advanced textiles are converging around a shared pursuit of a better life. As these advancements continue to evolve, they reflect a manufacturing landscape increasingly shaped by innovation, resilience, and a commitment to improving everyday living.

For pre-registration, please click: https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/register/buyer/email?source_type=16

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/139th-canton-fair-phase-3-advances-toward-a-better-life-with-new-and-strengthened-product-zones-302760704.html

SOURCE Canton Fair

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CupidFeel Insights Show How Shared Interests Affect Initial Connection Outcomes

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1 hour ago

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May 3, 2026

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New behavioral insights from CupidFeel offer a carefully considered look at how shared interests influence whether an initial connection on a dating platform is sustained or abandoned in those first critical exchanges.

GIBRALTAR, May 3, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The findings by CupidFeel are not dramatic, but they are telling. People who referenced a shared interest — whether a genre of music, a type of cuisine, a sport, a creative practice, or even a shared discomfort with small talk — within the first few exchanges of a new conversation were found to be measurably more likely to continue that conversation beyond the initial contact window. The effect was not uniform across all interest categories; certain types of shared interest appeared to carry more relational weight than others.

It was also observed by CupidFeel that the timing of when shared interests entered a conversation mattered. Connections where common ground was discovered organically — through the natural flow of exchange rather than prompted by a profile field or a direct question — showed stronger indicators of sustained interest. The discovery, in other words, carried more meaning when it felt like something found rather than something declared.

Among the most quietly striking findings in the CupidFeel data was the role of specificity. Broad shared categories — “we both like travel,” “we both enjoy cooking” — were associated with polite, often brief exchanges that rarely extended past pleasantries. But when specificity entered the picture — when one person mentioned a particular documentary that had stayed with them, or a city they had visited and could not stop thinking about — the conversational energy shifted. Something opened up.

In a CupidFeel review of trends in profile engagements, those whose profiles reflected specific, idiosyncratic interests — rather than broadly appealing ones — also showed higher rates of receiving first messages, a finding that runs gently counter to the instinct many people have to present themselves in the most universally appealing terms possible.

What seemed to matter most was not the quantity of overlap but whether the overlap that existed was felt — whether it produced a sense of being seen in some particular, non-generic way. A CupidFeel review of early conversation patterns suggests that a single deeply resonant shared interest may be more generative for early connection than a long list of surface-level commonalities that, taken together, feel more like a demographic profile than a person.

About CupidFeel

CupidFeel is an online dating platform built around the belief that meaningful connections begin with emotional honesty and the willingness to let a conversation go somewhere real. It came into being for people who are less interested in the mechanics of dating and more drawn to the possibility of something that feels grounded — exchanges that move at their own pace, guided by genuine curiosity rather than performance.

A CupidFeel review of its own design principles returns consistently to the same question: what does it take for a first message to feel like it might be worth the journey? The platform makes room for the kind of interaction that doesn’t always have a clear destination but feels, from the first exchange, like something real. CupidFeel is a place where the unexpected is not something to be managed, but something to be welcomed.

Media Contact

Timothy Albers, CupidFeel, 1 14845691657, smm@cupidfeel.com, https://cupidfeel.com/

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/cupidfeel-insights-show-how-shared-interests-affect-initial-connection-outcomes-302759951.html

SOURCE CupidFeel

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Las Vegas Review-Journal Launches VegasBusiness, a New Multiplatform Business Brand Serving Southern Nevada Leaders

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2 hours ago

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May 3, 2026

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LAS VEGAS, May 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ –The Las Vegas Review Journal today announced the launch of VegasBusiness, a new multiplatform brand designed to deliver authoritative reporting, analysis, and insight to Southern Nevada’s business leaders and decisionmakers.

VegasBusiness debuts with a biweekly print section distributed in the Sunday Las Vegas Review Journal, a new digital hub at VegasBusiness.com, a weekday business email newsletter, and a bi monthly podcast. Together, the platforms create the most comprehensive local business news and intelligence offerings in the Las Vegas market.

Vegas Business, powered by the state’s largest and most experienced business reporting team, focuses on the people, companies, and forces shaping Southern Nevada’s economy, including gaming and hospitality, real estate development, technology, finance, logistics, and small business.

“Las Vegas is one of the fastest evolving business markets in the country, and its leaders need timely, trustworthy intelligence to compete and grow,” Keith Moyer, publisher and editor of the Las Vegas Review Journal, said. “VegasBusiness expands our business journalism across platforms and delivers deeper insight, greater frequency, and broader reach for Southern Nevada’s decision makers.”

Expanded Business Coverage Across Platforms

VegasBusiness features business coverage designed for how executives consume news today—through print, digital, email, audio, video, and social channels.

Editorial franchises include CSuite Insider, featuring executive interviews; Building Las Vegas, with in depth reporting on major projects and deals; Innovation, spotlighting people and ideas driving change; Price Points, examining data and consumer trends; Small Business, highlighting enterprising local companies; and a curated Calendar of business events and conferences.

“We created this section to provide Las Vegas business leaders with practical, locally grounded intelligence so t hey can make faster, more informed decisions on growth, talent, and regulation,” Erin Edgemon, business editor of the Review Journal, said. “VegasBusiness is designed to help business leaders understand what’s happening in the economy, why it matters, and how it impacts their organizations and communities.”

A Premium Environment for Advertisers

In addition to expanded editorial coverage, VegasBusiness provides a new advertising and sponsorship platform for brands seeking to reach business decision makers in Southern Nevada. The brand offers integrated opportunities across print, digital, newsletters, podcasts, video, social media, and events, supported by advanced audience targeting and measurement.

“VegasBusiness gives advertisers access to the largest concentration of local business decision- makers in the market,” Michael LaBonia, senior vice president of sales for the Las Vegas Review Journal, said. “It’s a high impact, data driven platform that connects brands with influence, intent, and measurable results.”

Availability

VegasBusiness Magazine: Biweekly, Sundays in the Las Vegas Review JournalDigital: 24/7 at VegasBusiness.com**Newscast:** Weekday segment mornings on 7@7 a.m.**Newsletter:** Featured in the weekday Business Brief

Additional information is available at VegasBusiness.com.

Since 1909, the Las Vegas Review-Journal has been Nevada’s comprehensive media leader. Over the years, it has transformed from an award-winning newspaper that delivers local and community news and spans the globe with far-reaching topics and coverage. The Review-Journal has forged into multimedia and digital platforms through its website, Reviewjournal.com, which includes a network of niche publications, breaking news, e-newsletters, customized content, custom printing, a production studio, and more to meet the specific needs of readers and advertisers alike.

Media Contact

Wanda English Blair, Vice President of Marketing
(702) 383-0223
wblair@reviewjournal.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/las-vegas-review-journal-launches-vegasbusiness-a-new-multiplatform-business-brand-serving-southern-nevada-leaders-302760627.html

SOURCE Las Vegas Review-Journal

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