LISC Charter School Financing ’s Post

Have you seen the new “Building Better Schools: A Proven Blueprint for Success” report? The report, from NewSchools, offers a wealth of compelling insights into the Oakland-based educational philanthropy organization’s four foundational strategies for its more than 120 public schools around the country. Here at Accelerate Institute, we applaud NewSchools for its core philosophies, which very much align with our own approach to K-12 public school education, as evidenced through our Accelerate Framework and Transformational Leadership Building Blocks foundational tools that empower school leaders to serve effectively in their roles. https://lnkd.in/gDcT4J9x

Should school district mission statements explicitly mention diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)? With political debates intensifying, it’s interesting that only 34% of district mission statements nationwide reference DEI. Some districts choose to focus on fostering inclusion and belonging for all #students without using specific buzzwords. The key takeaway? It's about actions, not just words. Every student should feel seen, heard, and valued. How do you think schools should approach this? #equityandinclusion #equityineducation #k12 #teachers #leadership #leaders #schools #education

The role of ‘SENDCo’ has changed exponentially within the last few years. The skill set and time required to fulfill the role is ever evolving. Children and young people within settings deserve that person to be given the time to undertake the role effectively. Inclusion is a leadership skill. Inclusion needs to be part of strategic planning at leadership level. Integration of SEND and inclusion is essential if we are going to ensure that all settings offer what is needed. https://lnkd.in/ekJZ-Dpu

In today's politically complex landscape, the job of superintendent is no longer just about instructional leadership—it’s about civic leadership. 🚨 Jennifer Cheatham, Senior Lecturer at HGSE, explains, “Superintendents can’t navigate local politics well without regular self-examination and awareness of the larger political realm. This helps them discern the difference between real concerns of the community and political rhetoric.” Cheatham’s insights highlight superintendents' critical role - it's not just about navigating local politics but about creating conditions for every child to thrive. She has convened scholars of education politics and practitioners to pinpoint a clearer set of skills for today’s superintendents, fostering a sense of empathy and commitment to the cause. 🔗 Read the full article on redefining the superintendency and why we need leaders who can thrive in these demanding roles on EdWeek: https://bit.ly/3Zg8KXX 🔗 Learn about our new program chaired by Jennifer Cheatham, Leading During Turbulent Times: Civic Leadership in the Superintendency: https://bit.ly/460TSOP #EdLeadership #PublicEducation #Superintendent #EdWeek

School leaders play a crucial role in fostering inclusion for students with disabilities by promoting age-appropriate, needs-driven education in general classrooms. Insights shared at the recent National School Leadership Conference highlighted how an inclusive approach benefits all students. This strategy requires high expectations, specially designed instruction, and a shift towards recognizing every student's potential. #InclusiveEducation #SchoolLeadership #DiversityandInclusion

Calling all higher ed professionals: Get prepared for a politically-heated Fall with this free webinar, "Strengthening Your Students' Civic Muscles," where we'll delve into how 14,000 college students are cultivating the leadership skills we need for a pluralistic future. 🌟 In today's rapidly changing world, empowering students with the tools to engage in meaningful civic action is more crucial than ever. This webinar will explore innovative approaches to civic education that inspire students to become proactive leaders and problem-solvers. 👥 What to Expect: - Insightful discussions on building civic muscles and fostering active participation. - Strategies for implementing experiential learning in diverse educational settings. - Real-world examples of the impact this programming has on students and campuses. Join us to learn how you can cultivate a culture of civic engagement and collaboration on your campus! 🗓️ Date: August 14th, 2024 🕒 Time: 2 P.M. Eastern / 11 A.M. Pacific 🔗 Register Here: https://hubs.li/Q02KjhK00 #CivicEngagement #HigherEducation #ExperientialLearning #UnifyAmerica

Hey everyone, just had a powerful session at Vanderbilt University that inspired me to reflect on The Power of Culturally Relevant Policymaking in Higher Education. Are our policies truly inclusive and effective in fostering success for all students, especially those from marginalized communities? Culturally relevant policymaking is crucial in creating equitable, empowering, and transformative educational environments. By embracing diversity and uplifting underrepresented voices, particularly Black and Brown students, we can ensure inclusive spaces, foster belonging, dismantle barriers, and nurture a diverse pipeline of future leaders. Let's prioritize policies that speak to the unique needs of our diverse student populations. When we lead with cultural relevance, we pave the way for real, lasting change in higher education. #HigherEd #EquityInEducation #CulturallyRelevant #DiversityAndInclusion #HigherEdLeadership #EducationPolicy #StudentSuccess #BlackExcellence

Pedro Martinez recent op-ed is a powerful reminder that true leadership in education means making difficult choices with students at the center of every decision. Leading with a student-first mindset ensures that every strategy and action ultimately benefits those who matter most: the students. As a former CPS employee, his words resonated deeply with me, particularly this quote: “I am the seventh CPS CEO in the past decade. A leadership change is extraordinarily disruptive to any school system, generating a domino effect of change among key positions that can stall progress and diminish opportunities for students.” Having personally experienced the significant disruptions caused by leadership changes during my time at CPS, I saw firsthand how these shifts trickled down into the classroom, impacting students, teachers, and the distribution of resources. Each transition led to a loss of institutional knowledge, stalling progress and directly affecting the opportunities students deserved. I commend him for his resolve in the face of adversity, his commitment to CPS, and, most importantly, his unwavering focus on a student-first mission. His leadership is exactly what we need right now in this city. https://lnkd.in/gJ-KKVDU

💡 As we celebrate #NationalPrincipalsMonth, it’s important to highlight the need for a high-quality, diverse principal pipeline. Research by the Wallace Foundation shows that strong, effective school leadership is a key factor in student success, especially for students of color. However, developing and sustaining this pipeline requires intentional efforts – recruiting diverse talent, providing robust professional development, and ensuring equitable access to leadership opportunities. Investing in diverse school leaders is an investment in the future of education. Learn more about the steps we can take to build a diverse principal pipeline in our blog post here: https://edtru.st/3U2s4ol

This summer, we encourage you to focus on preparing your successor or assistant principal to be an effective head of school. For assistant principals, seek resources to advocate for your growth in the upcoming school year. A 2021 research synthesis by The Wallace Foundation highlights the significant potential of the assistant principal role in achieving three key objectives: diversifying the principalship, preparing effective principals, and ensuring equitable student outcomes. The study reveals that people of color and women face inequitable promotion to principal positions, underscoring the need for systemic changes to fully leverage the assistant principal role. The authors of the 2021 research synthesis gave some clear recommendations on how districts can support APs, including: 📌 Develop standards and tasks that are consistent with the AP job responsibilities  📌 Create more structured recruitment and mentoring of people of color and women and clearer policies for advancement 📌 Provide principals with professional development on how to mentor assistant principals and delegate leadership tasks to help them grow and advance What do you think? Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/gAze8DDK