California School Boards Association’s Post

School choice is not a republican vs democratic parent issue; it looks the same for everyone across the board, with democrats at 77% and republicans at 72% likely to support Education Savings Accounts, in Missouri also known as MOScholars (Ritter & Aldis, 2024). To help us understand the current support of school choice, we can turn to Indianapolis-based EdChoice Foundation. Each year EdChoice releases their national survey results “Schooling in America” (SIA) that looks at the opinions surrounding K-12 education in America. https://lnkd.in/g_vtnfGT

The cat's out of the bag... I submitted my name for consideration to fill the vacant seat on the Oshkosh Area School District Board of Education through the April election. In the interest of transparency, I'm linking my letter of interest and resume that I submitted earlier this week. Letter of interest: https://lnkd.in/eG-VqdXT Resume: https://lnkd.in/eRuKqYEi As I considered stepping forward, these are the priorities that rose to the top and helped me believe that I am a highly qualified and appropriate candidate to be appointed to the board right now. If appointed, I promise I will focus my efforts on: *Ensuring appropriate support for students and staff alike to succeed *Improved literacy outcomes for all students with specific efforts to meet the needs of BIPOC/BBAIR students, students with dyslexia and other unique learning needs, students identified for special education, and students identified for literacy interventions *Elimination of opportunity gaps and discipline disparities *Equitable and respectful treatment of all students *Engaging and empowering teaching and support staff to have fulfilling professional lives *Communication with parents, caregivers and community members to maximize engagement and buy in *Providing facilities that optimize learning opportunities If you have an opinion about me as a candidate to be appointed to the board, please feel free to email the members of the Board of Education at: elizabeth.wyman@oshkosh.k12.wi.us christopher.wright@oshkosh.k12.wi.us stephanie.carlin@oshkosh.k12.wi.us barbara.herzog@oshkosh.k12.wi.us timothy.hess@oshkosh.k12.wi.us kelly.dewitt@oshkosh.k12.wi.us or you may also speak during the public comments. (And obvs, if you believe in these same priorities and believe in our students and those who educate them, like I do, please feel free to share and help spread the word. And always tell your representatives what matters to you!!)

National Review was good enough to publish an OpEd I co-authored with renowned economist Stephen Moore on the need for Universal Education Freedom in Texas. We decided to address this issue after discovering that a staggering 65 percent of third- through eighth-graders in Fort Worth failed to meet minimum grade-level standards in core subjects such as reading, math, and science. This is nothing short of an educational catastrophe. Even more troubling, this failure rate marks a one percentage-point drop in proficiency from the previous year, underscoring a worrying trend in student achievement that is raising alarms among local leaders. That is why it is vital for Texas state lawmakers to come together and adopt universal education freedom, an idea championed by Governor Greg Abbott. In March, Governor Abbott summed it up perfectly: “A resounding number of Texans support educational freedom for every Texas family because they know that no child should be trapped in a failing school just because of their zip code.” Please, take the time, and read our work in National Review and help support the drive for Universal Education Freedom.

The month of October is in full swing meaning another week another vitalvoices: Register Today: https://lnkd.in/gQS64QwS "From the impact of COVID-19 to school safety concerns to teacher shortages, and educational reform, there is much to discuss regarding the current state of education in Texas. Join us for a thought-provoking panel discussion with a diverse group of education experts and stakeholders. Our distinguished panel will include PK-12 educators, university faculty, aspiring teachers, parents, and community partners, all of whom will offer their unique perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing our state's educational system. We'll examine successful strategies, discuss ongoing struggles, and explore innovative solutions to create a more equitable educational landscape. Whether you're an educator, a parent, a student, or a concerned citizen, this event offers a valuable unique opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue and contribute to the future of education in the Lone Star State. Don’t miss this chance to contribute to a thought-provoking conversation that seeks to shape the trajectory of education in our state for generations to come. Join us as we amplify vitalvoices and work together to create lasting change!" Topics of Discussion: • Successes & Struggles of Texas Education Systems • Educational Reform: Addressing Current Issues & Concerns (Houston Area Focus) • Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Impact on Teachers, Students, & Overall Success/Needs • Pre-COVID vs. Post-COVID Education: Lessons Learned & Moving Forward • School Security & Safety Concerns • School Choice: Exploring Options & Implications • Testing & Alternative Assessments: Finding the Right Balance • Teacher Pay & Shortage: Strategies for Recruitment & Retention • Empowering Educators: Effective Practices & Reducing Administrative Burdens • Future of Education in Texas: Examining Long-Term Trends & Policy Shifts • Buzzing Topic: Presidential positions on education nationally.

Attention educators, policymakers, and community members! The Illinois State Board of Education has taken a major stride toward enhancing literacy across all age groups. They have just released a Getting Started Toolkit to accompany the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan. This toolkit serves as a launching pad, guiding you through the intricacies of the literacy plan with ease and clarity. Check it out now to start making a difference in literacy education! Let CLI help you with implementation! https://lnkd.in/g3xvFgPt #LiteracyPlan #EducationReform

Our work Transform Education Now is grounded in the lived experience of community and the power of Parent Leadership. We know that in order to truly create a more effective education system, we must start with those most affected. By elevating the voices of parents across our state, we can ensure that we are focused on the problems most important to them and that the solutions we seek are grounded in their hopes and dreams for their children. That is why we are so excited to share a new survey on the state of education opportunity in the Centennial State. This survey provides not only a unique window into the opportunities available to students in our state right now but also allows us to compare those answers to parents across our region and across the country. This report is just the beginning of the the work to ensure that families across Colorado are not only heard, but have a seat at the decision making table. Families are telling law makers exactly what they need in their children’s education, its time we do more than listen, its time to act! Read the entire report at https://lnkd.in/gVpz_BqC

I have more questions than answers from this article: What defines success here? Apparently, anyone can be a private school: "A private school is defined in Section 1002.01(2), Florida Statutes, as “an individual, association, co-partnership, or corporation or department, division, or section of such organizations, that designates itself as an educational center that includes kindergarten or a higher grade” and is below the college level." Interesting. delineation of requirements of private schools vs. homeschool: https://lnkd.in/gk9XhvDz I wonder why they felt the need to include this regulation: "Private schools may not exist at either end of a runway of a publicly owned, public-use airport. s. 333.03(3), F.S." In general, private schools, as defined by Florida, and homeschools have access to all public school services but if you decimate public schools and their subsequent funding, won't those services necessarily go away? Lots of questions, especially as the article notes other states are looking at Florida as a roadmap. What's your question here?

More families are going to be able to choose their child's school and it's important to learn more about the schools they may be choosing. This point was made by director of national research at EdChoice, Mike McShane. In his new Forbes article, he briefly highlights two studies conducted, one about microschooling and the other about private schooling and civic education; both contradict stereotypes and assumptions. https://lnkd.in/dJD4PREk

Do you know where the top-rated schools in Connecticut are? For many young and growing families, choosing the right school district is crucial when purchasing a home. Sure, you might know a few standout schools across the state. But having a comprehensive list of top-performing schools can help you make a more informed decision about the best area for your family. This article by Rich Kirby on Patch.com does just that! It outlines the 50 best public schools in Connecticut, offering insights into what makes each one exceptional. Want to know more about the best schools near you? Check out the full list and start exploring your options! https://lnkd.in/e69hxxbN

Late last month, the Pittsburgh School District received new recommendations from a consulting firm in Boston that will guide their updated Facilities Utilization Plan. The plan dictates how the school district should approach changes to grade configurations throughout schools, consolidation of schools, and the closing of specific school buildings. There is no doubt that this plan will have adverse outcomes for majority Black schools in the city, where students have been historically and systemically disenfranchised and underfunded. Too often concerns like declining enrollment or poor academic achievement will be cited in school closures, with little account given to the racially imbalanced institutional standards that have hampered public education for decades. We demand that the city of Pittsburgh put a plan in place to ensure that relocated students have a guided transition and understand the full reasons for the move. Make your voice heard on potential Pittsburgh school closures and visit bit.ly/pghschools