The Skillman Foundation的动态

We know first-hand what is most important and needed for students who look like us: in our classrooms, in our policies, and in our communities. EdLoC member, 2023 Boulder Fund Recipient, and CEO and Founder of Diversity in Leadership Institute Dr. Laura M. recently shared a piece on EdSource advocating for continued investment in teacher diversity recruitment and retention. Amid fiscal challenges in California's education system, the need for diverse representation in classrooms remains paramount. Research shows students thrive when taught by educators who reflect their backgrounds. It's time for school districts to prioritize teacher diversity to ensure all students feel seen and supported. As we commend the local and state initiatives driving teacher diversity, transparency, and community engagement remain crucial for sustained progress. Fiscal uncertainties shouldn't deter leaders from upholding commitments to teacher diversity. Continued investment in these efforts is vital for building a brighter future for California's diverse student population. Read Dr. Laura McGowan-Robinson's full article: https://shorturl.at/oswKL #WeAreEdLoC

In nearly 20 years - I’ve personally worked in schools in Pittsburgh, Chicago (city and suburbs), San Francisco, and the North Bay of San Francisco. One thing is consistently true - our schools are systemically and historically segregated - racially and socio-economically. Overwhelmingly, Black and Latino/a students attend schools that abhorrently under-resourced in every aspect - staffing, educational resources, enrichment opportunities, safety, and basic best practices. Meanwhile, their predominantly white peers at neighboring school districts benefit, learn, and grow with ample opportunities and resources (and of course funding from various sources including active parent associations filling the gaps). I’ve dedicated the majority of my work to bridging access to the arts and creativity for systemically marginalized communities — here is the part where I tell you all the data that points to the arts as a catalyst for increasing student opportunity and potential —— I believe that AND it’s not enough. Our SYSTEMS need significant and sweeping change. 70 years since #BrownvsBoardofEducation…but our education and socioeconomic policies continue to uphold systems that are hurting families and students. This OpEd resonated with my tired arts advocate heart. Our work helps - but we are swimming against currents and tides that need more sweeping change in direction. If you’re out there - and work in this space - let’s keep working toward sweeping change. I believe it can happen. #education #hope #artseducation

Excellent article in Crains Chicago Business about the challenge being faced by Chicago Public Schools. It’s clear that when families are provided with information, they choose with their feet and seek schools for their children that meet their needs and provide excellent academic opportunity and outcome. The focus of CPS should be solely on children and families. Use current models of success to rebuild all schools across the district at a scale that works for todays enrollment.

Throughout the year, we honor the 70th anniversary of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision. This pivotal ruling declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, laying the groundwork for educational equity and civil rights in the United States. Why is this decision important? It reaffirmed that every child deserves equal access to quality education, regardless of race. It set a precedent for dismantling systemic barriers and continues to inspire efforts toward inclusive and equitable schooling for all students. Here is a list of tools and resources for educators to support and enhance their efforts in creating inclusive, equitable learning environments. https://lnkd.in/eF3yT5ex #BrownvBoard70 #EducationEquity Southern Education Foundation

Massachusetts: "Institutions of higher education may continue to make every effort to recruit and support transfer students, including learners from the Massachusetts community colleges. To that end, institutions should deepen relationships with the full range of associate-degree awarding institutions in the Commonwealth and create meaningful experiences for transfer students. Institutions should continue to work to implement all elements of state policy and programs like MassTransfer and/or consider joining the Massachusetts Transfer Guarantee. Colleges and universities can evaluate whether they have developed clearly articulated, well-publicized pathways from two-year institutions to four-year institutions for transfer students, like the DHE-developed Associate to Baccalaureate (A2B) Mapped Pathways." #HigherEd #Massachusetts #CommunityCollege #Transfer

(These opinions are my own) I recently had the opportunity to participate in two impactful education conferences: Yes.Every.Kid’s Stronger Together Denver Cohort and ExcelinEd’s ESA Administrators Network in Minneapolis. These experiences caused me to reflect on school accountability within our education system, particularly in relation to market-based approaches. I find myself aligned with ExcelinEd’s CEO, @Patricia Levesque who borrowed a line from her friend 50CAN’s president Derrell Bradford by stating, “you regulate a monopoly different than a market.” Levesque points out that accountability assessments are crucial for traditional public schools due to their monopoly status, whereas market-driven education relies on parental choice as a robust accountability measure. (Regulating Public, Private Schools: Parental Choice Is The Key (excelined.org)?I particularly value ExcelinEd’s A-F accountability framework for its clarity in assessing school performance, which is essential for both schools and families. (ExcelinEd.PolicyToolkit.AFSchoolGrading.ModelPolicy.2019.pdf)??? As I continue my residency at ExcelinEd, I look forward to exploring these nuances further and continuing my development as an education policy leader.

In 2024, policymakers across the country championed student-centered education policies. From advancing school accountability to expanding school choice, they reshaped education in many of their states. As we look forward to 2025, state lawmakers will need to build on this momentum and continue to prioritize policies that drive meaningful, student-centered change. ExcelinEd CEO Patricia Levesque's latest blog post outlines the key policy trends she believes will shape the education landscape in the year ahead. From expanding college and career pathways to maintaining high standards for student achievement, these trends are essential for addressing today’s challenges while preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/g3w3jHUS

Principals are the heart and soul of schools. The Minnesota Principals Survey, conducted by the College of Education and Human Development - University of Minnesota, confirms this. Top 10 takeaways 1. Feel their jobs are unsustainable. 2. Demonstrate slight improvement in some measures of well-being.? 3. Don’t have enough time for instructional and community-engaged leadership.? 4. Engage less frequently in some culturally responsive school leadership practices.? ?5. Lost confidence in their ability to carry out many leadership activities.? ?6. Perceive student mental health as their single greatest challenge. 7. Are frustrated with unfunded mandates and a lack of state guidance to meet their requirements. 8. Demand more funding from the legislature.? 9. Foster well-being at school by authentically listening, building relationships, and demonstrating care.? 10. Love their jobs despite the challenges. Full report: https://lnkd.in/gsBBQi5n #education

In depth discussion with the co-authors of one of the most recent books out on adult learners. Join me and my panel distinguished faculty experts! #myfootpath #adultlearners #myfootpathinterviews

From the one and only Julie Mack in this month's Crain's Detroit Business Forum: Since 2009, 80% of Michigan’s traditional school districts have experienced enrollment declines. The reason is no secret: The number of children in Michigan is shrinking. The trend has major implications for the state’s education system; and leaders have tough choices ahead. Full story: https://lnkd.in/grxxZcJf