American Institutes for Research’s Post

For students who are already in a precarious financial position, a single unexpected financial setback can be devastating. A sudden medical expense, rent increase or car repair can derail their path to a degree—and, once a student leaves school, getting back becomes exponentially more unlikely, no matter how much they might benefit in the long term. Emergency aid can help those facing homelessness, hunger and other basic needs insecurities while pursuing college. Here's how. https://hubs.ly/Q02nxDkg0

Students, educators, and schools are still working hard to recover from the pandemic but we have a long way to go. 🛣 One big challenge for many districts around the country is a looming fiscal cliff as federal Covid relief funding runs out, while declines in student enrollment persist. We will continue to advocate for sustained increases in funding for public education, but right now, districts are facing critical and challenging operational decisions. Historically, when it comes time for hard choices, schools predominantly serving Black, Brown, and low-income students bear the brunt of those decisions. It’s one of the reasons we have to ensure that every child has access to a well-resourced, integrated school led by diverse educators. In the meantime ⏳ , it’s up to local, state, and federal leaders to prioritize equity in every decision they make. https://lnkd.in/g6k7RH2k

Many of us are concerned about the impact of the pandemic on students' well-being. District leaders, researchers, and educators across the country are working incredibly hard to make difficult and strategic decisions about spending federal relief funds by the 2024 deadline. The 74 Media covered an essential series of recommendations today that leaders and community organizers can use in designing for the wake of a post-ESSER landscape: → How to balance short-term needs and long-term goals → How to leverage federal relief funds and other sources of revenue → How to prioritize equity and student outcomes → How to engage stakeholders and communicate effectively How is your district or organization preparing for post-September 2024? #fiscalpolicy #edpolicy #schoolleaders #esser https://lnkd.in/gJeGh6zE

In 2021 the Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (#ESSER) gave states & districts an unprecedented influx of money to address the needs of their students during the pandemic. As the deadline approaches, schools & districts must consider how to spend the funds to address #UnfinishedLearning as well as racial & economic inequities that existed long before the pandemic. Learn more: https://edtru.st/3RwJXep

Great tips for long-term planning, especially for young families.

Federal pandemic funds for schools, or ESSER funds, are ending later this year. “What does this mean for pandemic learning loss?” asks Elainah Elkins for the Thomas B. Fordham Institute https://lnkd.in/eHFwEPmG #PandemicFunds #ESSERFunds #SchoolFunding #EducationPolicy #LearningLoss #EducationReform #EducationMatters #EducationAdvocacy #EducationEquity

Schools received federal aid to keep test scores up and combat the effects of the pandemic. With that money going away, we have to consider a few things: Would better-funding schools directly impact student learning? How can we measure student learning at a federal level without test scores? Without funding, how can we as teachers be resourceful in using technology or other resources to ensure students still get a quality education? https://lnkd.in/eWPeMcYx

Discoveries from the "Varying Degrees" survey showcase strong support (85%) for community college ROI, surpassing public four-year colleges (66%). At John Wood Community College, we believe in adding value to a students life through their degree. This survey shows the impact community colleges continue to make by giving back to the community, running efficiently, and spending money wisely. With 80% favoring fiscal responsibility, these institutions are seen as wise spenders. However, concerns about underfunding persist, with 58% believing community colleges lack sufficient state and federal support. Notably, 90% emphasize equity, urging efforts to expand access for historically marginalized students. The survey echoes bipartisan consensus on financial aid accountability, with 80% advocating for aid eligibility tied to graduates' financial outcomes. This insight reaffirms community colleges' crucial role in shaping education's future, inspiring accountability, and championing diversity in academia. Thank you to Matthew Dembicki for the article. View his article here: https://lnkd.in/gUEUj6qf

Many families plan on financial aid covering the cost of their college education. However, free grants and scholarships normally only cover a small portion of college costs, and many families don’t qualify for them. This is a helpful visual put together by J.P. Morgan which highlights the average amount families receive for financial aid from grants or scholarships. Only 0.3% of college students receive sufficient grants and scholarships to cover their entire college expenses. #legacycapital #leadalegacy #thewoodlands #thewoodlandstx #plan #education #educationfunding #school #planning #backtoschool

It’s no secret that affording college is already a challenge for many young Americans. But what’s less known is that many of the federal aid programs built to ease the financial burden of higher education fail to reach those who need it most. The Bipartisan Policy Center’s newest higher education explainer highlights institutional disparities within the campus-based aid distribution. Arianna Fano & Tristan Stein point out that due to flawed and dated allocation formulas for programs like Federal Work Study and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, wealthy and private nonprofit institutions tend to receive a disproportionate amount of aid compared to public institutions, despite enrolling a smaller share of low-income students. BPC is working to update research on campus-based aid funding allocations to help policymakers refine and recalibrate aid distribution, ensuring that assistance reaches the students most in need. Check out the full explainer here: https://lnkd.in/ecHEg-aJ