Cameron Smith

Explore important steps to take once you have adopted AI policy in your K–12 school or district in this new article from #AVIDOpenAccess: https://bit.ly/3RvZxWU

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"The workshop ... addressed common misconceptions about climate change and prepared teachers to use evidence and NCSE’s no-conflict approach to help their students resolve these misconceptions." https://lnkd.in/gbgbgGWb #ClimateChange #ClimateEd #scienceteachers

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School is almost out, giving school leaders the chance to begin planning for next year. If planning to address a public-facing crisis isn’t on your list, it should be. Check out the latest data from Comsint on issues impacting America’s schools. #K12 #MAEDU #CrisisCommunications

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At Cornerstone Institute, collaboration is at the heart of innovation and growth in higher education. Our commitment to holistic student development drives us to seek strategic partnerships that transcend mere transactions—they are opportunities for transformation. CEO Basier Dramat shares insights into how these alliances bolster our financial sustainability and enhance student success. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/efQ_UQjU

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Higher education institutions are currently facing an array of challenges that are forcing them to adapt and implement strategic changes. Widespread burnout among faculty and rising dissatisfaction among higher ed employees have led to concerns about retaining top talent. Many higher education institutions are turning to professional services for guidance and support. Instead of simply reacting to immediate crises as they arise, these institutions are taking a proactive approach, seeking to anticipate and plan for future uncertainties. In the end, this is an ideal way to truly address issues as they arise. #HigherEducation #StrategicChange

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ICYMI: In a recent The Thomas B. Fordham Institute article, Jeff Murray covered our preliminary results from the University of Chicago Education Lab’s Personalized Learning Initiative.   “The top-line findings are easily summarized: Tutoring can be implemented at scale and clearly boosts participating students’ end-of-year test scores. The overall impact on math scores is equivalent to about two-thirds of a year of learning, which would be enough to reverse the effects of pandemic learning loss for the average student. Reading test scores are generally positive but far less significant.”   Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gYH4vmcD   Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/gGV_uUT4

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We’re excited for our partner Abre, K-12's #1 modern data solution, because the Cincinnati-based company recently secured a $24 million Series A investment. The funding will support Abre in improving student outcomes by transforming the way all stakeholders in and out of schools make comprehensive data-informed decisions.   Abre’s platform democratizes data intelligence, making information more accessible and actionable. Its software serves as a one-stop-shop that integrates data from hundreds of #EdTech platforms across a school district. The investment will be used to continue innovating Abre's data solution.   Congratulations to CEO James Stoffer and the rest of the team at Abre, as well as Sanket Merchant, a partner at PeakSpan Capital, which led the Series A investment round, with follow-on participation from JumpStart Ventures, JobsOhio Growth Capital Fund, and Golden Angels Investors.   Read more about Abre’s 2017 launch by two teachers and its upward trajectory as a solution for schools struggling with achievement gaps, concerns about student well-being, chronic absenteeism, teacher shortages, and more. https://lnkd.in/dkT9wczJ   And here’s the official press release: https://lnkd.in/gmmVXD4Q   #Data #DataManagement #DataIntelligence #Learning #Education

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In response to the increased pressures facing #HigherEducation, EAB recommends a shift toward proactive financial planning: anticipating potential financial downturns and determining an institution’s response in advance. This can break the cycle of reactive decision-making (and its unintended consequences), allowing leaders to chart a course toward sustainable financial health and longevity.

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Campus leaders are turning to teletherapy vendors to increase #mentalhealth support available for students. Listen to the archived webinar where panelists discuss key considerations for institutions before contracting with a vendor, as detailed in the accompanying brief from the Mental Health in Higher Education series. https://ow.ly/IQsF50RJ4v7 #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth

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Sharing a fantastic resource summarizing the macro trends impacting our K12 schools as we prepare for the 24-25 school year. The presentation compiles information across four "E" buckets: 1) Economy, 2) Enrollment, 3) ESSER, and 4) Employees. Special thanks to Rich Billings Dan Greenberg Carrie Stewart Brian Eschbacher Jason Shaad. # # # 📈 Economy ◾ Every state budget is funded through different revenue sources. Understand the key drivers of your states' budgets ◾ The more a state relies on sales and income taxes (vs. property taxes), the greater the risk of volatility and potential impact ◾ About half of states are projecting declines in overall tax revenue in FY24. ◾ Facilities payments (rent+debt service) are 70% higher compared to pre-pandemic ✏ Enrollment ◾ All-time low birth rates are driving significant and sustained declines in student enrollment, especially in major urban communities ◾ Approximately 600K fewer births in the 2016 vs 2021 cohort - which will enter K in 2026. ◾ NCES projects a 4.3% decline in public school enrollment by 2030, with only 5 states projected to grow ◾ Schools in states with attendance-based funding formulas (CA, NY, and TX) are increasingly impacted by students missing school 💲 ESSER ◾ The Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University analyzed states that provide detail on ESSER spending and concluded that half of relief funds are paying for labor costs. ◾ ~9% of ESSER funds were spent on Edtech 👨‍🏫 Employment ◾ Many districts across the country have increased staffing and are now employing more teachers to serve fewer students than before COVID-19 ◾ Even before the pandemic, many school systems have steadily increased staffing as enrollment has declined ⚖ Budgeting Advice ◾ Align on values, criteria, and roles for budget decision-making  ◾ Identify which programs, interventions, and other resources have the greatest impact on student learning. Allow time to iterate on priorities and trade-offs. ◾ If you used ESSER to cover enrollment shortfalls, fund recurring costs (e.g., teacher salaries), or buffer both school/network-level budgets, review budgets to determine gaps without ESSER funding. Potentially reset school/network-level models to achieve (or build toward) sustainability on recurring public funds ◾ If you used ESSER to fund recovery investments like new programs (e.g., tutoring, software) or staffing (e.g., additional counselors or social workers), analyze your budget to determine what you can and cannot afford without ESSER funding. Work with your team to identify the highest impact investments, make decisions on what to continue vs. phase out ◾ Budget conservatively. We recommend budgeting for at least a 3-5% enrollment shortfall and building in 1-2% expense contingency ◾ Understand the potential impact of a recession on your state's public revenues. Build plans for up, base, and down scenarios https://lnkd.in/gimJ4b4M

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Online and hybrid learning in higher ed has become increasingly prevalent, but how do faculty and campus leaders measure the ROI of investing in these new modalities? What is your cost per opportunity? This article sheds light on benefits and best practices. Worthy of a five minute read!

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Transform Your School District with Human-Centered Professional Development 🌟 At Cornerstone Equity Consultants, we believe in the power of human connection and empathy. As the premier provider of professional development services, we are dedicated to nurturing the heart and soul of your educational community. Our programs focus on: 💛 Combatting Compassion Fatigue: Empower your staff with resilience and the support they need to flourish. 💪 Mitigating Toxic Stress: Foster a healthier, more supportive environment for both students and educators. 🌟 Promoting Kindness in Leadership: Develop leaders who inspire and cultivate a culture of empathy and understanding. 🏫 Enhancing School Culture and Climate: Create a community where every individual feels valued and connected. 🔹 Why Choose Us? • Humanistic Expertise: Our team comprises seasoned professionals who understand the emotional and psychological needs of educators and leaders. • Customized, Heartfelt Solutions: We tailor our workshops to meet the unique needs and aspirations of your district, ensuring every voice is heard. • Proven Human-Centered Impact: Our strategies consistently lead to more compassionate interactions, higher satisfaction, and a nurturing school environment. In addition, our Kindness Campaigns offer a dynamic way to deepen relationships among students and staff. By fostering empathy and connection, we help schools become more inclusive and supportive spaces. 📞 Embrace Human-Centered Transformation Take the first step towards a more compassionate and resilient school district. Schedule a discovery call with us today to explore how our unique, human-centered approach can benefit your community - schedule a call with us at ebonyigreen.com or click the link below. Experience the profound difference that comes from centering humanity in education. Together, we will cultivate a culture of kindness, empathy, and excellence in your schools! #Education #ProfessionalDevelopment #HumanCentered #Leadership #Wellbeing #SchoolCulture #KindnessMatters #EmpathyInEducation

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More thoughts on the eye-opening Lumina Foundation and Gallup higher education report: These findings confirm the urgency of removing barriers for adult learners. Adults increasingly see the value in #postsecondary education. We must help them succeed. More in our latest blog. https://lnkd.in/etxwSaVV

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The 74 Media: The latest Education Recovery Scorecard report is "a major contribution to the research on school finance reforms." Kevin Mahnken breaks down how the ESSER spending structure affected student outcomes—and allowed for "perhaps the single greatest natural experiment on the effects of windfall cash on schools that has ever been attempted." “'With the second two ESSER packages, the federal government was essentially pushing $175 billion through pipes that were meant to handle $16 billion in Title I,' Kane said. 'So what might have been a $500 or $600 difference per student in Title I dollars became a $5,000 or $6,000 difference in ESSER funding per student.'    The differences were striking. The working-class district of Brockton, Massachusetts was awarded $3,224 per student from the second and third ESSER funding bills, and its students’ math achievement improved by the equivalent of .06 grade levels between 2022 and 2023; but in Dayton, Ohio, per-pupil funding increased almost three times as much ($11,444), and math scores jumped by a factor of 10 (.65 grade levels)." Now, states must pick up the reins. As CEPR Faculty Director Thomas Kane told Chalkbeat, “States’ challenge now is to generate even more growth per dollar spent. And the way to do that is with targeted funding, rather than across-the-board funding.” And as NBC News reported, “It would be right to focus the dollars on replacing the things that students lost during the pandemic, which was learning time with teachers,” he said. Continue reading: —The 74: https://lnkd.in/euytxCJe —Chalkbeat: https://lnkd.in/enfkuZhU —NBC News: https://lnkd.in/eqQrtepw

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📣 NEW COMMENTARY As AI continues to advance rapidly, critical questions about its role in shaping the future of education arise. If there are benefits to using AI in education, then they look likely to accrue to more advantaged kids. CRPE is asking questions such as: ➡ How can investments and policies ensure these benefits reach the students most in need? ➡ How will so many districts train their teachers amid other pressing priorities and increasing financial constraints? ➡ How can educators learn quickly about which AI tools and strategies work best? The latest report from the American School District Panel, our partner projecy with RAND, provides valuable insights into these questions, revealing early indications that more affluent suburban school districts are leading the way in AI adoption. However, this leaves urban, rural, and high-poverty districts at risk of falling behind, exacerbating existing disparities in education. CRPe director Robin Lake delves deeper into these issues, highlighting the urgent need for proactive measures from policymakers and philanthropists to ensure that all students have equitable access to AI-driven educational opportunities. Join the conversation and explore how we can work together to create a more inclusive and equitable future for education. #AI #EdTech #EquitableEducation #AmericanSchoolDistrictPanel https://lnkd.in/eniCs4Ts

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🚀 Transforming Budget Management in Higher Education: A Must-Read Case Study by Jim Leonard 🚀 Learn from the success stories of: UC Berkeley: $75M annual savings UNC Chapel Hill: $66M annual savings Cornell University: $85M projected savings These institutions are proving that financial stability is possible without compromising educational quality or accessibility. Read the full case study to uncover actionable insights that can transform budget management at universities. #AlwaysKeepImproving #QSG #HigherEducation #Budgeting #Finance #University #Education #Savings #Leadership #Strategy #Efficiency #Resources #CaseStudy #Innovation #Administration #Sustainability

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