Federal level changes
The last time we talked at the end of 2024, things were quiet at the Department of Education (DOE).While the DOE stands, there’s still a concerted effort to dismantle the department. About half the department’s workforce has been eliminated in the name of efficiency, leaving just over 2,000 people running the department.
But that’s not all. The Trump administration has frozen federal funds earmarked for dispersal to states. A total of $6.8 billion dollars remains in limbo. The money is part of specific programs and initiatives including:
- Title I-C for migrant education ($375 million)
- Title II-A for professional development ($2.2 billion)
- Title III-A for English-learner services ($890 million)
- Title IV-A for academic enrichment ($1.3 billion)
- Title IV-B for before- and after-school programs ($1.4 billion)
- Adult basic education and literacy and civics grants ($715 million)
The frozen funds above are part of a larger swath of cuts the President is recommending to Congress. But Congress has not agreed yet to do away with the programs in question (which total $12 billion). Congress by rights would have ruled to make the cuts, but the funds are still frozen—some say pending a review of these programs for adequate educational merit.
Savvy financial forensics, or unlawful withholding of tax dollars? 24 states plus the District of Columbia have filed suit to release funds to schools in their states.
If you’re looking for ways to explain school funding to your stakeholders all across the district, take a look at this K12 Funding Primer for Parents.
Increasing parent engagement
… And maybe settling for involvement at first.The Annie E. Casey Foundation defines parental engagement differently from a parental involvement. Involvement is participation in school-centered activities. Engagement is the moment a parent decides to become an active participant in the district and its decisions and strategies. Involvement asks parents to show up. Engagement listens to parents’ ideas for improving school for everyone.
Before schools can plumb parents’ minds for nuggets of new strategy, they must build relationships—for some districts, this may look like re-building relationships. Unfortunately, education continues to be dismissed, devalued, and defunded in American society. Recently Gallup polls have reported what school staff has felt in their bones for years: public confidence in education has reached a 24-year low with a whopping 73 percent of survey respondents reporting low confidence in the education system.
As schools continue to chip away at their engagement goals, here are some actionable strategies for connecting with parents on social media, via text messages, and more strategic options within parent communication solutions.
Making an academic recovery
Part of thinking about recovering academically from pandemic-era remote learning challenges includes thinking holistically about what an effective school system looks like.We’ve learned school can take on many forms, but some are less effective than others for fostering a truly useful education. The good news is, even as national achievement scores continue to decline (hmmm perhaps a correlation with the low public confidence in education systems), schools are thinking critically about how student success is made.
Luckily, school leaders are focusing more on the climate in the building for students and staff, knowing achievement cannot bloom without psychological safety and belonging.
If you’re at square one facing an uphill climate battle, you’re not alone. One person cannot fix school culture and climate, but anyone can start the process. Here’s why it matters if students feel like showing up or not.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR YOUR EDTECH? The right combo of tools & support retains staff and serves students better. We'd love to help. Visit skyward.com/get-started to learn more.
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Erin Werra Blogger, Researcher, and Edvocate |
Erin Werra is a content writer and strategist at Skyward’s Advancing K12 blog. Her writing about K12 edtech, data, security, social-emotional learning, and leadership has appeared in THE Journal, District Administration, eSchool News, and more. She enjoys puzzling over details to make K12 edtech info accessible for all. Outside of edtech, she’s waxing poetic about motherhood, personality traits, and self-growth.
