Linda Darling-HammondMarjorie WechslerStephanie LevinMelanie Leung-GagnéSteve Tozer
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High-quality learning opportunities for principals can improve their effectiveness, teacher retention, and student achievement—and state and district policies can influence principals’ access to these opportunities. Key policy levers include standards for leadership practices, preparation programs, and licensure as well as investments in induction programs, leadership pipeline programs, and professional development.
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There is widespread agreement that addressing physical safety threats students may encounter at school should be a priority. But how this can best be accomplished is hotly debated. A new study reveals that some popular approaches can have unintended consequences.
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In 2013, California implemented an ambitious school funding reform, the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), which allocates funding by the proportion of high-need students in the district. LCFF-induced funding increases improved students’ academic achievement, reduced grade repetition, and enhanced the likelihood of students graduating from high school and being college-ready.
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California has invested billions in community schools strategies in the past several years. In addition to leveraging these state funds, blending and braiding local, state, and federal funding sources may help to sustainably finance a community schools strategy in the long term.
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Across the country, many schools have adopted restorative practices in an effort to improve school climate and student outcomes while reducing exclusionary discipline. Restorative practices improve students’ academic achievement and decreases suspension rates and disparities.
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Infrastructure at Oakland Unified School District helped to successfully implement a community schools approach by centralizing processes and systems and providing support for family engagement and professional learning and development.
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Examining how Oakland Unified School District successfully implemented a community schools approach, researchers found structures that support effective partnerships, Coordination of Services Teams, community school managers, professional learning and development, and family engagement.
Daniel EspinozaMichael GriffithDion BurnsPatrick M. Shields
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While federal funding to support the more than 1 million students experiencing homelessness has increased over the past several years, the level of funding remains meager relative to the need. Policy changes concerning funding amounts, distribution, and data collection may improve educational opportunities for these students.
Aneesha Badrinarayan Linda Darling-HammondMichael A. DiNapoli Jr.Tara KiniTiffany MillerJulie Woods
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The Every Student Succeeds Act presented new possibilities for innovative state assessments that support deeper learning; however, constraints have limited states’ abilities to fully realize such opportunities. Federal executive actions that offer time, support, and permission to innovate could encourage assessment systems that bolster high-quality teaching and learning.
Karin GarverG. G. WeisenfeldLori Connors-TadrosKatherine HodgesHanna MelnickSara Plasencia
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As states expand access to public preschool, most must do so across a variety of settings, such as schools, Head Start agencies, child care centers, and family child care homes. To examine what policies support high-quality preschool at scale, experts look at five states and the unique approaches they have taken.
