Chris Birr

Growing evidence points to link between autism and wildfire smoke — Grist Two new studies have identified an alarming connection between exposure to wildfire smoke during pregnancy and autism in young children. The unprecedented findings suggest the neurological…

Interesting about the potential cause of autism.

Not found in here. Would’ve been shocked at the level of boring included if I were.

www.justice.gov/epstein/search

I don’t have a question about this, more of a comment…

Gone too soon but left so much.

Coffee and Tea Intake, Dementia Risk, and Cognitive Function This prospective cohort study investigates whether coffee and tea intake are associated with dementia risk and cognitive function in female participants from the Nurses’ Health Study and male…

jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...

Not really related to educational research. But coffee strongly supports me as a school psych. Let’s hear it for side benefits.

What if the polio vaccine becomes optional? Podcast Episode · On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti · 02/06/2026 · 39m

Can’t wait for meetings where we discuss whether polio effects are eligible under OHI major or minor. What are we doing?!

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...

Just me? Male school psychs. Wear a cardigan. How long until a Mr Roger’s, neighbor, retirement, etc comment?

Third interaction for me today.

Thanks @npr for this! Great summary how #ai can help and hurt schools and students.

220,000 Fewer Workers: How Trump’s Cuts Affected Every Federal Agency (Gift Article) New data offers the first clear view of the impact of the buyouts and firings.

Source www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

The NYT has numbers on the cuts at the Dept of Education.
Almost 800 people have been cut at Federal Student Aid. That's a lot larger than I expected. And IES has been gutted.

Tests get a lot of hate, but…

Why have test scores been going down for a decade? Experts don’t really know. Leading theories include screens, school expectations, and the pandemic.

New: A look at what we know and don't know about the last decade of test score declines.
–They've been remarkably pervasive and started before the pandemic.
–Other countries have been hit too.
–Experts (and everyone else) have theories, but not definitive answers.

www.chalkbeat.org/2026/01/08/w...

a man in a suit and tie is giving a thumbs up and says sure ALT: a man in a suit and tie is giving a thumbs up and says sure

My reaction when I see requests for early elementary tutoring in reading comprehension without knowing it’s really not decoding or fluency deficits.

As a school psych, I hold parents who reply to emails with emojis in the highest regard. Not kidding.

Everyone Puts Their Windshield Wipers Up in the Snow—Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Stop putting windshield wipers up in a snowstorm. Wind and ice can damage them. Use a cover, de-ice safely, and keep visibility sharp

PSA for Ohio (might distract).

www.mensjournal.com/gear/everyon...

Attention-Deficit Neuropsychology (ADHD) Part 1 Encore with Russell Barkley Podcast Episode · Ologies with Alie Ward · 12/24/2025 · 1h 40m

This was such an excellent summary of #ADHD and evidence surrounding treatment and management. Not sure how I missed this in the past. The knock on open offices at the end was a bonus. 

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...

Holidays with extended family. My watch is worried about me.

Thought of these the other day as this year is already almost half done.

connectedmtss.wixsite.com/website/post...

Huge study finally reveals outcome for people who took Covid vaccine A major study into the impact of the Covid vaccine published in JAMA Network Open has revealed that people who took the vaccination may live longer.

Yeah, I'm gonna go with the evidence here.

www.ladbible.com/news/health/...

Australia: kudos on efforts to limit social media for kids. I predict that ban is a speed bump for kids and they already have work arounds. Probably took 10-15 minutes, maybe less.

I suspect you’d need to ban devices or ban functionality on devices.

Scientists Have Proof Coffee Can Be Connected to Longer Lifespans. Here's How Much to Drink Daily. — Men’s Health The evidence was found in the DNA of coffee lovers.

4 cups! I need to increase

apple.news/AiuwowTgESrC...

There’s a whole genre of this on Spotify! I had no idea. I lasted 6 seconds on the first song. Oh wow, these are deep cuts!

Four-day school week: What research suggests To help recruit teachers, many U.S. school districts have adopted a four-day school week. Research shows there are consequences for students.

I’m seeing chatter about the 4-day school week. I recalled achievement can remain the same or decline, appealing for recruitment to a degree, real estate can be negatively impacted, child care and services for children can be impacted. Good summary here.

journalistsresource.org/education/fo...

My prediction… the school psych shortage is going to become exponentially worse. Those who want to become one, have to be able to afford it and most likely will have differing backgrounds of where they are needed most.

As Government Reopens, Ed Department Brings Back Fired Special Education Staffers A deal to end the nation's longest-ever government shutdown is reversing plans to gut the federal special education office and providing funds for other disability programs — at least temporarily.

Back to work but probably unable to do their jobs.

www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/11/14/a...

International MTSS Association (IMA) | Enhance Education Now — Join Us Discover evidence-based MTSS solutions, global standards, and professional growth opportunities to support all learners worldwide.

The International MTSS Association

www.mtssassociation.org

New but looks like it will be a phenomenal resource.

Who Killed UFLI? The Curious Case of the Pennsylvania Curriculum List Someone has it out for UFLI, which was dinged on the PA curriculum list. Kata Solow is on the case.

I’ve seen positive effects in the real world. Intervention and curriculum review should come down to external review and local review of outcomes.

I like to respond to meeting invite acceptances telling the team member where their response placed. I find me funny.

Moved to Columbus from Milwaukee six years ago. Cannot shake the thought when I see Robins flying around at this time of year that these are the low achievers. But do they have the same thought as I walk my dog?

Daylight savings time is fantastic for dog owners.