Shamell Forbes’ Post

A message to the Gov before today's budget address: "At a moment when investing in our public schools has taken on new legal and moral urgency, proposing vouchers would be a mistake, undermining the governor’s own goals of building a constitutional public education system and ensuring opportunity for our most vulnerable students." https://lnkd.in/gAGBASMN #education #publicschools #publiceducation #noprivateschoolvouchers #fundourschools

From the archives... This is a bit of a longer read and is only focused on one element of the “school choice” issue, but it explains why I do not support any school choice efforts by the government. If it takes a government program to give me school choice, then that inherently assumes I do not currently have school choice. Also, if monies flow from the government (to a savings account, to an institution, to a family, etc.) then oversight of how those funds are expended will inevitably follow. These are the strings that will eventually encumber and restrict the individual home educating families if we allow home education to be sucked into the vortex of government school choice programs. “A fact often overlooked...is that Friedman’s voucher proposal would also place the responsibility for approving private educational options in the hands of the state.” ~James Mason #HomeEducation #homeschool #homeschooling #education #GetOutNow #PublicSchoolExit #ChristianEducation #EdcuationIsDiscipleship #ChristianHomeschoolRevolution https://lnkd.in/g_yjfx_D

California's cost of living continues to rise, making community college unaffordable for many. In response, a $30 million pilot program is offering hourly pay to students for attending school and doing homework. Learn more about this innovative initiative here: https://smpl.is/8sdh9 #EducationforAll #FutureOfEducation #comm_college

Ohio's EdChoice-Expansion sparks a surge in private school scholarships, but the catch? Most recipients never attended public schools, challenging the "public school exodus" narrative. Now, taxpayer dollars are subsidizing tuition for families who can afford it. Dive into the details below in ACS' Latest News!

President Biden’s new budget includes $8 billion for education recovery. In THE 74 Linda Jacobson breaks down the new proposal, including the likelihood of passage given partisan challenges. https://lnkd.in/edimBGZA #EducationRecovery #BidenBudget #EducationFunding #EducationPolicy #EducationForAll #EducationAdvocacy #EducationNews

Pennsylvania lawmakers on Thursday approved a $47.6 billion state budget deal after weeks of negotiations, featuring sweeping changes to the higher education landscape and how the state funds its public schools. Pennsylvania increased spending for K-12 public schools by more than $1 billion in the next fiscal year, including several new initiatives to help all of the state’s school districts offer their students an equitable and adequate education. The full budget deal includes less spending than Gov. Josh Shapiro asked for earlier this year, and invests less than what public education advocates had said was necessary to bring tangible change to underfunded schools, but that leaders said Thursday is a significant down payment. https://lnkd.in/e7yuZvwH

Students, educators, and schools are still working hard to recover from the pandemic but we have a long way to go. 🛣 One big challenge for many districts around the country is a looming fiscal cliff as federal Covid relief funding runs out, while declines in student enrollment persist. We will continue to advocate for sustained increases in funding for public education, but right now, districts are facing critical and challenging operational decisions. Historically, when it comes time for hard choices, schools predominantly serving Black, Brown, and low-income students bear the brunt of those decisions. It’s one of the reasons we have to ensure that every child has access to a well-resourced, integrated school led by diverse educators. In the meantime ⏳ , it’s up to local, state, and federal leaders to prioritize equity in every decision they make. https://lnkd.in/g6k7RH2k

As Texas ISDs grapple with the impending end of federal relief funds during a biennium budget year, many are wondering how they'll adapt to looming revenue gaps. While the answer isn't easy, there's hope! Our very own Karen Fuller, CETL has worked with many districts across Texas and beyond to maximize their IT spending, so they can stay innovative, secure, and efficient--all within budget. Dive into Karen's best practices here: https://lnkd.in/ev4FfH8n #TexasEducation #EdTech #EducationFunding

As federal relief funds dry up for Texas ISDs, many district leaders are wondering how to keep the flames of education burning bright without scorching through their IT budgets. Enter Karen Fuller, CETL—she’s got the insight you need to maximize your IT budget without sacrificing innovation and efficiency. Check out her top tips here: https://lnkd.in/ev4FfH8n #ITBudgeting #EdTechBudget #ITBudgetOptimization #ITBudgetStrategies

We are thrilled to share the groundbreaking announcement made by Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll last week. A historic expansion of financial aid, the MASSGrant Plus Expansion program, is set to transform the educational landscape for approximately 25,000 students attending the state’s public colleges and universities. With nearly $62 million in new program funding, MASSGrant Plus Expansion is a game-changer for students, covering the total cost of tuition and fees for Pell Grant-eligible individuals. As an added bonus, students will also receive an additional allowance of up to $1,200 for books and supplies. This transformative change is not just a number; it represents the removal of financial barriers for countless ambitious students. As we celebrate this remarkable initiative, it's worth noting that as many as 2,000 students currently enrolled at Northern Essex could directly benefit from this substantial expansion. Kudos to Governor Maura Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, and all those involved in making education more accessible and equitable. This is a testament to the commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders and ensuring that financial constraints are no longer a roadblock to their success. https://necc.be/47nfILZ