Reading Partners’ Post

It's never too late to address educational inequality caused by poverty. Early intervention and targeted support can make all the difference to improving learning outcomes for students experiencing disadvantage. Working in partnership with almost 800 schools, our evidence-based learning and mentoring programs provide practical support for children to help them make the most of their education. "Our support starts early and lasts until that child has finished their education," says our CEO Doug Taylor. "This gives them the tools and resources they need to keep up with their peers, complete their education, and go on to further study or work." Learn more about sponsoring a child's education during our Back to School Appeal at https://bit.ly/3u5zEEQ #learntodaychangetomorrow

The #Meals4AllNY coalition created this interactive map to illustrate the landscape of universal school meals in New York. Despite recent expansions, the reality is that access to universal school meals is inequitable across the state. More than 320,000 children in nearly 660 schools are excluded from the far-reaching benefits of universal no-cost meals—reduced hunger, less stigma, improved learning, and financial relief for families amid skyrocketing prices at the grocery store. Three regions in the state—Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and Western New York—account for 78 percent of schools and 81 percent of students without access. These are largely communities where poverty is prevalent but less concentrated or high-cost-of-living areas. The bottom line: Too many schools are left to operate means-tested programs that undermine the culture of inclusivity that New York schools are striving to cultivate. New York can and must do better for its children. The only way to ensure equitable access to school meals is also the simplest solution: Feed all the kids. We call on Carl Heastie, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Governor Kathy Hochul, and state lawmakers to fully fund #Meals4AllNY in the final enacted state budget. View the map: bit.ly/HSMFANY-Map

"The current method of funding #PublicEducation – primarily through property taxes – perpetuates #Inequality. It inherently favors affluent communities with higher property values, while leaving economically disadvantaged communities struggling to provide even the most basic resources for their schools. This creates a vicious cycle where schools in low-income districts receive less funding, leading to lower-quality education, which in turn limits opportunities for students to break free from the cycle of poverty." Incredible article from our partners Schott Foundation for Public Education, authored by John H. Jackson, Glenn Harris, and Sara Sneed. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gp-WQdHr #Vouchers #SchoolVoucherProgram #TruthAboutVoucherPrograms #EducationFunding #EducationEquity #SchoolLeaders

Make a difference in the lives of the young adults around you by sharing information about AmeriCorps NCCC. Did you know we have a Parents and Educators Toolkit to help you learn about program opportunities with AmeriCorps NCCC, benefits, requirements, and how young adults can get involved? Download the toolkit and other resources: https://lnkd.in/gSYfcCSv #NationalService #LeadershipDevelopment #ServiceOpportunities #MoneyForSchool

A hat tip to SchoolHouse Connection for a practical and informative new American Rescue Plan-Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) resource: Maximize Final ARP-HCY Funds: Quick Spending and Cost Guide https://lnkd.in/eu_VB9ME Trying to spend down your district's ARP-HCY funds in keeping with U.S. Department of Education Guidelines as the obligation deadline approaches? Check out this new resource for practical spending options to help #students across a range of topics like #identification, #transportation, #summer activities, #technology, #training, #supplies, emergency short-term #housing, #college transition, early childhood, #academic support and more across a variety of budget amounts! #Homeless #HomelessEducation #McKinneyVento #AmericanRescuePlan #ARPHCY #Spending #Budget #EarlyChildhood

Where does your district fall with third grade literacy proficiency in accordance with poverty rates? Check out this article and let's talk. Which School Districts Do the Best Job of Teaching Kids to Read? – The 74 (the74million.org)

Poverty impacts everyone so how might educational systems create actions? 5 high impact strategies are outlined. Who is joining me? I’m going to listen mindfully for ways to provide strategy.

This interactive map highlights the inequitable access to universal school meals across the state. More than 320,000 children in nearly 660 schools are excluded from the far-reaching benefits of universal no-cost meals—reduced hunger, less stigma, improved learning, and financial relief for families amid skyrocketing prices at the grocery store. There is significant need in schools without access. Nearly one-quarter of the children in these schools are low-income. Three regions in the state—Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and Western New York—account for 78 percent of schools and 81 percent of students without access. These are largely communities where poverty is prevalent but less concentrated or high-cost-of-living areas. New York has made great strides in expanding access to free school meals, but without statewide universal meals, too many schools are left to operate means-tested programs that leave hungry children behind. New York can and must do better for its children. The only way to ensure equitable access to school meals is also the simplest solution: Feed all the kids. We call on Governor Kathy Hochul, Carl Heastie, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and state lawmakers to fully fund #Meals4AllNY in the state budget. View the map: bit.ly/HSMFANY-Map 

We know higher education is one of the most important factors in overcoming youth homelessness. That's why Covenant House has endorsed a new bipartisan bill that would help lower barriers to attending college for young people experiencing homelessness. Among other changes, the Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act of 2024 would give housing-insecure students priority for federal work-study jobs, spots in school housing during breaks, and in-state tuition at state schools. Everyone deserves a chance at higher education, and the support offered in this bill would help ambitious young people at Covenant House achieve their goals and dreams. Read more about this bill and its bipartisan sponsors here: https://bit.ly/3yCiNeR

In Georgia, many school districts have lost students - where there are no charter schools at all. Families decided that they wanted something different (homeschooling, microschools, private schools). We have a unique opportunity to offer public schools that provide a different kind of education that families are asking for. Most charter schools in our state are centered around Atlanta, with large areas of the state (including the Atlanta region) without any charter schools. Make no mistake - we do not need charter schools for the sake of having more charter schools. We need community-responsive charter schools that meet children's needs and enhance a community's roster of public schools. New Analysis Finds Charter School Sector Still Has Plenty of Room to Grow – The 74 (the74million.org)