Bellwether’s Post

Leaders in other states can look to Tennessee’s funding formula implementation as one example of how to bring education finance policy into practice. Learn more from Bellwether's case study: https://lnkd.in/exngqUuh

As a member of the Northern California College Promise Coalition (NCCPC), we want to uplift the following tools for shaping college success efforts in the region. 🚩Explore and share the CA Child Savings Account Toolkit to help increase claims by 10%: https://lnkd.in/gHBteSTP. 🚩Review and help advance NCCPC’s Policy Issue Priorities: https://lnkd.in/guFBgPtA. 🚩Help implement the CA Ban on scholarship displacement: https://lnkd.in/gfUR_Eu4  🚩Transform your city or county into an Education City: https://lnkd.in/gQFYr45d Commit to one of these campaigns here: https://lnkd.in/gAG5kaY3.

🎧 Check out the latest episode of Policy Changes Lives, where we explore the role of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) in Utah. Join us as we delve into their impact on education and policy! #Education #Policy #UtahESAs https://lnkd.in/gy63QPCz

Today, the House Ways & Means Education Committee held a hearing about the FY2025 Education Trust Fund budget. The House’s proposed budget substitute bill contains several changes to Governor Ivey’s proposed budgets. Read our summary of these changes and more here: https://ow.ly/TSRY50R8So7

Are you a grandparent with a 529 college savings plan for your grandchildren? The FAFSA Simplification Act, which went into effect last month, now makes it possible for grandparents to do even more to help finance their grandchild’s education. Read more on this week's blog: https://bit.ly/3U2fIgE

New post on the Office for Education Policy blog w/ Josh B. McGee: we examine how Arkansas charter schools are funded and spend their money, compared to traditional public schools. While the charter sector has consistently grown since the early 2000s, charters have consistently spent less per pupil than TPS. They also receive less revenue per pupil. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dJZBFn28

Most people know that funding for public education in Texas lags far behind the national average. What many people may not know, however, is how badly special education is underfunded ($1.8 billion each year). To provide equitable educational opportunities for ALL students, state leadership must address special ed funding reform. Read more about it in my op-ed: https://lnkd.in/gfMAGUmX

Finally an easy to understand video of how school funding works and the interaction between property tax revenue and state funds.

Check out the new commentary in the Minnesota Reformer by Joshua Crosson and Thomas Anderson of Students United on the need for universal FAFSA in Minnesota! "In recent years, states as different as California, Alabama, Maryland and Texas have all made completing the FAFSA a high school graduation requirement. And by doing so, they have seen increases in FAFSA completion and postsecondary enrollment. In the first year of implementation, Louisiana—the first state to implement universal FAFSA—saw a 26% increase in FAFSA completion rates and an increase in college freshman enrollment...Minnesota can take the next step by ensuring each and every high school senior knows about the form on time and gets it completed so that they don’t leave money or aspirations on the table. Implementing a universal FAFSA policy would ensure students know about the availability and types of financial aid—and that they have support to complete the form even if they are the first person in their family to go through the process."   https://lnkd.in/gtRv5MDN

Wondering about how an RESP can help you save for your child's education? This is the first of a series of informative posts to come this month from Sun Life.