Barrier Breakers®, Inc.’s Post

January 29, 2025, Boston, MA—Keri Rodrigues, the president of the National Parents Union, released a statement on the 2024 NAEP Scores: “This is a national disgrace. Today’s NAEP scores confirm what parents have been sounding the alarm on for years—our education system is failing, and our leaders are letting it happen. Despite an unprecedented $190 billion in federal investment meant to accelerate learning recovery, too many states have nothing to show for it except worsening outcomes. Our children are falling further behind, and no one in power seems to care. We are demanding action. It’s time to stop pretending that ‘business as usual’ is acceptable—because these results are a disaster. We need to follow the lead of states and districts that have done well and ensure that others emulate them. States have been handed billions, yet remain out of compliance with federally mandated improvement plans while student performance plummets. Congress must step up and fulfil its duty to provide oversight and launch a full investigation into how this money was spent. https://lnkd.in/eiU9YQUr

We have been honored to work alongside the Maine Department of Education to conduct the Measure What Matters initiative on their behalf. Over the course of six months in the state, Battelle for Kids sought to listen to a wide range of voices to understand what the people of Maine think makes a great school and to ignite further conversations and ideations about new ways to report and share student success that reflects a more holistic view of student development. This includes looking beyond only test scores to find metrics that encompass students’ ability to solve problems, innovate, lead, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. The Statewide Listening and Conversations Tour provided an opportunity for participants to discuss how schools might better assess and celebrate success in ways that reflect students’ growth as learners and individuals, not just their performance on standardized tests. 🎬 Yesterday, the Department released a video, produced by Battelle for Kids, that highlights some of the themes that came out of the 19 community conversations held across Maine.

“While the work of advancing educational equity is broad and varied, our experiences together share two key commonalities: First, these efforts are successful when they are supported by both youth and adults. Second, they are most successful when they are supported by the schools themselves, through resources, funding, time and access to opportunities.”- Powerful piece written by my UP youth and adult colleagues!

I need your attention for a moment—this is really important. Imagine knowing your child isn’t getting the same opportunities as other kids, simply because they go to a charter school. That’s the reality we’re facing right here in Rochester. Charter schools only receive $0.58 for every $1.00 given to traditional public schools. This means fewer resources, fewer opportunities, and fewer chances for our kids to reach their full potential. We can’t let this slide. Our kids deserve better. They deserve the same chances, the same support, and the same future as anyone else. That's why I’m inviting you to a Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, November 16th, from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Exploration Elementary (1001 Lake Ave, Rochester, NY 14613). We’re going to talk about how YOU can make a difference—how we can fight for equity, how we can make our voices heard, and how we can change the system for our kids. This isn't just about talking. It’s about action—about standing up for our kids, reaching out to legislators, and demanding the change they need. Every child should have access to a quality education, no matter where they go to school. If you care about our community and our kids’ futures, please join us. Let’s stand together and fight for the future our kids deserve. 💙 You can register right here: https://lnkd.in/gPUq2F3T Let’s show up for our kids. Let’s change the story. See you there. 🙌📚 #FightForOurKids #EducationalEquity #CharterChampion #RochesterStrong #MakeADifference

This week in PublicSource: It wasn’t even close. University of Pittsburgh grad students decided whether to join the United Steelworkers, joining a wave of similar decisions across higher ed https://lnkd.in/dpRJ5i6H A North Side meeting laid bare conflicting community attitudes toward subsidized housing, ahead of the bankruptcy auction of a hotel that could become housing https://lnkd.in/e-aqgFkn There’s a lot of change on the North Side. Some hope for an economic revival. Others fear East End-style displacement. We're all over it, and now have a North Side page https://lnkd.in/eRsrtRsk We strive to cover Pittsburgh’s diverse neighborhoods in a way that explains issues and amplifies community voices. If you’re into that, we need your help. Anything you donate now will be doubled by generous match pool supporters https://lnkd.in/ehCGtZ7B Is postpartum weight retention driven in part by racism, sexism and misogyny? A Pitt study finds a connection https://lnkd.in/e-bPNj3R From Beechview to Homewood, the number of Pittsburgh Public Schools students who are coming to the classroom with little English is rising. Finding teachers and paraprofessionals equipped for those challenges has not been easy https://lnkd.in/eQ57-y6W A disturbingly high % of high school students report feeling hopeless. The prevalence of hopelessness correlates to the lack of certain kinds of community assets — except in a handful of “bright spots” https://lnkd.in/esFAYgJ6 Joining our team: Maddy Franklin (higher ed reporter), Lee Hood (operations and membership coordinator) and Simon Hebert (business partnerships manager). Their bios … and fave books of 2024: https://lnkd.in/eXCSjUyR What’s Pittsburgh saying? Browse 25 quotes from PublicSource stories over the past two months https://lnkd.in/ekgXWkxh

Little Gators ----------------------------- Years ago, I worked for a very prestigious and well-recognized law firm who built a name on being very successful litigators. One of the (absolute) best memories about working there was having the opportunity to run the “Little Gators” program for a school year. The “Little Gators” were the elementary students, from a low-income school area, who we (volunteer employees) read to each week. I learned a lot that year about what it really means to be a student, in poverty, and the challenges these kids face when it comes to resources and opportunities. No food, parents gone, understanding the worst of people before they knew how to do fractions. These were so common in terms of everyday challenges, it was humbling, eye-opening and heart breaking to consider how stacked the deck was against these kids through no fault of their own. I also learned that the weekly effort we made as volunteers, although small for us, made a huge difference to those kids who looked forward to our time together. “I came because I knew you would be here today” will melt even the coldest heart. As I go through my onboarding this week with EVERFI, I am reminded again about how low-to-moderate income students (and parents) are at such a disadvantage without the business community support and sponsorship; and how lucky I am that I can help level-the-playing-field through social impact partnerships. I may not work for litigators anymore, but I will always be thankful for the chance to work for the “Little Gators” who are out there. And I look forward to networking with others to go even further. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ If you want to learn more about how your organization can give back to your local community, my calendar is always open to help make a difference. #GivingBack #SchoolEducation #LocalImpact

Well done

#PublicEducation, "the Rise and Fall" of #HighSchools, interesting story by #JuliaMeoria of #SpotlightDelaware re: #AIduPontHS, A.I. du Pont HS, once #Delaware's preeminent #HS. Yes, it's an interesting, thoughtful and insightful article -- and pretty much "on the nose" in its accuracy. By the way, too, this is #JoeBiden's neighborhood HS, where he's voted, held events, and it's just a mile from his house. Disruptions from #ForcedBusing, the euphemism for #CourtOrderedBusing that broke up #Delaware's #NeighborhooodSchools in 1978, was the critical inflection point, imposed by #Judge(s) who were sending their own children to #PrivateAcademies. Only thing of consequence missing is #InstitutionalMemory that such premier schools as #AIduPont existed before it, and similarly declined. As a young reporter, I covered the beginning of #Deseg / #Desegregation. For the generation before that, albeit unmentioned in this story, seeming not a part of Delaware history, Delaware's preeminent HS was #MtPleasantHS, and, yes, #MtPleasant went through its own #Demographic changes that caused it to fall from preeminence to other-worldly status.

🏫 What you need to know about School Bond Campaigns: Key Strategies for Success🏫 Running a successful school bond campaign is about more than just securing funding—it's about building community trust, educating voters, and forging long-lasting relationships. 💡 In our latest blog, we dive into crafting a campaign that not only wins votes but empowers your community for the future. 🌟 👉 Read more: https://hubs.li/Q02Yhsx10 #SchoolBonds #CommunityEngagement #EducationLeadership #SchoolDistricts #BondCampaigns #EdTech

Hey Texas Target lovers! Just a friendly reminder that College Possible Texas is still in the running for Target Circle's Community Giving Program! We're a month into the campaign, and every vote counts. How to keep supporting with your Target runs: Shop at your favorite Texas Target (we all know the feeling!) Make sure you use your Target Circle at checkout (it's free to join!). Cast your vote for College Possible Texas with each purchase! Remember, your Target trips translate to more students getting on track for college! Let's keep the momentum going and unlock the potential of Texas students together! #TargetCircle #CollegePossibleTX #TexasTargetGivesBack P.S. Still need to join Target Circle? Head over to target.com/circle to get started!