Hunger Free America’s Post

HOW IS CAMDEN’S INNOVATIVE SCHOOL SYSTEM MOVING THE NEEDLE FOR NEW JERSEY STUDENTS? “Amid all the bad news in the post-pandemic public education sphere, there is a bright spot in a surprising city, Camden, New Jersey. There, students, while suffering steep learning losses so common in low-income districts, are finding their way forward through the collaboration of three different public school sectors: district, charter, and an unusual hybrid called “renaissance schools.” These renaissance schools, authorized by a law that let Camden approve partnerships with high-performing, nonprofit charter school networks willing to take on the lowest-performing schools, are driving the city’s learning gains. As such, the story of Camden’s “comeback,” described in a new report by Camden Education Fund, provides a blueprint for an innovative model of public education, not just in New Jersey but throughout the country.” Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gNxe-PTB #schooldistricts #education #renaissanceschools

School choice - the only real way to improve the lives of City minorities. If Democrats really wanted to help this demographic (they claim they do), they would support School Choice. Unfortunately, school teacher unions do not care about anything then preserving their own power and control. Teacher unions fear competition, but that is the proven way for improvement to be incentivized. It is very sadly understandable why teacher unions, whose "customers" are forced by law to "buy" their services, do not want any competition. All the poor (mostly) suffer the consequences. According to this was encouraged by pres Obama's school policy. But, Biden - not at all. If you wish to improve the lives of minorities - Trump is your choice for school choice. "Every child deserves access to a quality education. For several decades my wife and I have tried to make that ideal a reality by concentrating our philanthropy and political donations on advancing school choice. We want children to have a chance at success—and, if necessary, to be able to leave schools that aren’t allowing them to meet their full potential. Often solving public-policy challenges is complicated, but in this case it isn’t. School choice is the answer. In 2007 we met with presidential candidate Barack Obama to discuss the issue. We left encouraged: He understood the costs urban public-school systems impose on families nationwide and was supportive of broad-based school choice as the solution. Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush supported charter schools, and Mr. Obama seemed poised to continue the momentum." "Yet the fruits of that giving haven’t been sweet. I was wrong to think that Democrats would support school choice to help their constituents out of poverty. Although polling consistently shows that a majority of minority parents want school choice, progressive politicians consistently oppose all such programs. To understand why, consider who’s funding their campaigns: teachers unions. For unions, choice means competition, and urban public schools with low proficiency ratings can’t compete. Unions know the only way to keep their political power is to keep children trapped in failing schools. Give parents access to other educational options, and they’ll ditch the schools that take them for granted."

A Call To Action and to re-post. All of us working in the US Higher Ed world are aware of the issues with FAFSA and that the numbers of applications are vastly down. White House and the US Department of Education (ED) are announcing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Week of Action, which will take place April 15-19. They are encouraging high school counselors, principals, and other school leaders, superintendents, after school programs, parent groups, nonprofit organizations, and other local and state education organizations to commit to taking action to raise awareness about the FAFSA. Organizers of the FAFSA Week of Action are asking stakeholders to commit to any (or all) of a series of actions, including: *Hosting an in-person or virtual FAFSA Week of Action FAFSA submission event. *Emailing, texting, or sending push notifications with information about the Better FAFSA and how to submit the form. *Incorporating information about Better FAFSA and FAFSA Week of Action into newsletters, webinars, upcoming events/conferences, or resource sites. The commitment form also includes more specific suggestions of commitments for high school counselors, district and school leaders, non-profit and community organizations, and elected officials. If you would like to commit to taking one or more of these actions, please complete this form and email back to [email protected] by 6:00 PM ET on April 5, 2024

California provides no vouchers for private school, and for low-income families, the cost of private school is quickly becoming impossible. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the average cost of K-12 private school #education would breach $500,000 for a single child. We believe all students deserve a learning environment they love--not just those who can afford it. And with our recent expansion into preschool support, we're giving students new opportunities right from the beginning. Learn more about the rising costs of private school here: https://lnkd.in/grGktdBs #educationforall #studentsuccess #scholarship2024 #nonprofit

A Call To Action! All of us working in the US Higher Ed world are aware of the issues with FAFSA and that the numbers of applications are vastly down. White House and the US Department of Education (ED) are announcing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Week of Action, which will take place April 15-19. They are encouraging high school counselors, principals, and other school leaders, superintendents, after school programs, parent groups, nonprofit organizations, and other local and state education organizations to commit to taking action to raise awareness about the FAFSA. Organizers of the FAFSA Week of Action are asking stakeholders to commit to any (or all) of a series of actions, including: *Hosting an in-person or virtual FAFSA Week of Action FAFSA submission event. *Emailing, texting, or sending push notifications with information about the Better FAFSA and how to submit the form. *Incorporating information about Better FAFSA and FAFSA Week of Action into newsletters, webinars, upcoming events/conferences, or resource sites. The commitment form also includes more specific suggestions of commitments for high school counselors, district and school leaders, non-profit and community organizations, and elected officials. If you would like to commit to taking one or more of these actions, please complete this form and email back to [email protected] by 6:00 PM ET on April 5, 2024.

As the nation's largest education non-profit, we have the privilege of hearing directly from public school teachers about what's happening in America's classrooms. Read the top 5 takeaways from the 2023-2024 DonorsChoose teacher survey: https://lnkd.in/eJsch3xB

Important takeaways from DonorsChoose’s teacher survey and how individuals can help teachers close the gap between students’ needs and how public schools resourced.

In many communities across the U.S., children and families face financial barriers that prevent them from accessing quality education and opportunities for success. Research highlights how these financial constraints can negatively affect students' academic journeys. Many talented individuals are unable to pursue their dreams and fulfill their potential without adequate resources. At DBG, we recognize that addressing financial barriers, as well as other barriers impeding progress, is crucial to creating an inclusive and equitable learning environment. For this reason, our out-of-school time programming is 100% FREE to all students. We are committed to dismantling these barriers and reshaping the landscape of educational equity through our innovative approach. Our goal is to inspire students from all backgrounds to thrive by providing scholarships, subsidized resources, and financial assistance. We believe that addressing the need through understanding the root causes of inequity has the power to transcend socioeconomic barriers and create transformative change. That's why we work tirelessly to remove all obstacles and invest in the future leaders and change-makers of tomorrow. However, we cannot do it alone. We need the support of others to continue our mission of inspiring students and removing barriers from their paths. Aligned partners and community support enable us to make a tangible difference in the lives of students, ensuring that no one is left behind due to constraints. Together, let's build a future where every student has the opportunity to thrive and succeed. 🌟 Visit our website for more information on how you can support our students on their path to success: https://lnkd.in/eyZ9b7_f

I’m thrilled to share some exciting news from the Student Basic Needs Coalition! We’ve just received a $100,000 grant from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, which will allow us to expand our peer navigator program to even more community colleges. As many of you know, community colleges serve as a critical entry point for students from diverse and often underserved backgrounds. Yet, despite their eligibility, too many students still miss out on the SNAP benefits they need to succeed. This SNAP gap has real consequences, from increased stress to higher dropout rates. This grant is a game-changer for us. It means we can train and support more peer navigators—students who have personally navigated the SNAP process—to help their peers access these essential benefits. We’re also creating a new full-time Campus Program Manager role to coordinate these efforts across multiple campuses, ensuring we reach as many students as possible. I’m incredibly grateful to the Annie E. Casey Foundation for recognizing the importance of this work. This grant represents a significant step forward in our mission to make college more accessible and equitable for all students. I look forward to sharing our progress and the impact of this initiative in the coming months. If you’re interested in learning more or getting involved, check out the blog post here: https://lnkd.in/eTCnathy #SocialJustice #StudentAdvocacy #HigherEd #SNAPGap #CommunityColleges #Grateful #SBNC #StudentAffairs #StudentSuccess

Mathematically, this investment is $10,000 per human. Vs. $36,000 per human for housing needs. Or, $72,000 per year for crisis outcomes. Let’s be ahead of the curve and invest in humans who want better. Let’s truly *invest* as if it were the Dow Jones riding on it. Or Social Security. Or famine. Because it is. Global survival depends on reaping what we sow today.