Podcast

In part one of a two-part series, North Dakota State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler describes the unique aspects of learning in rural communities as it relates to education recovery. She also describes the critical role school boards play in our education system – and how we can support these leaders.

Linda Jacobson, senior writer at the 74 Million, uses her unique point of view to talk education recovery in the media—how her outlet is approaching stories about what assessment results are showing and how federal recovery funds are being spent to drive improved outcomes for students. She describes the tension between identifying the good but not sugarcoating challenges, and the importance of lifting up the voices of school leaders, students and families.

Mike Petrilli, the president of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, describes what’s needed to make a significant and long-lasting impact on America’s schools. He argues that the life-altering impact learning loss has had on students should motivate leaders to seek out the best practices and investments transforming outcomes for students.

Join Collaborative for Student Success Director Jim Cowen and guest Maryland State Superintendent Mohammed Choudhury as they discuss the toll COVID-19 disruptions had on students and how Maryland is quadrupling down on federal funding with a state investment in public schools of over $4 billion. Listen in to hear about Maryland’s “very historic moment” for students and schools.

Tom Kane, an education economist from Harvard, describes the urgent need to address pandemic learning loss while federal recovery funds are available to support states and districts. He argues that district leaders need to be transparent with parents about what it’s going to take to get students caught up and discusses what research shows is effective in helping them do so.

Brad Billings, the career and technical education program administrator in Alaska, describes steps the Last Frontier has taken to bolster career and technical education using federal recovery funds. Efforts include the development of a resource clearinghouse serving industry representatives, schools, university systems and others as well as funding skills camps. Billings also tells of how career and technical education has transformed to better help students develop more advanced skills.

Austin Reid, senior legislative director for the National Conference of State Legislatures, shares the nuts and bolts on how states are distributing federal recovery funds and what role state legislators play in the process. He also dives into how labor shortages are impacting the ability of states and school districts to spend recovery funds and the need for more accurate and actional data to help shape recovery-focused decisions.

Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker explains how Connecticut has partnered with colleges and universities to determine the effectiveness of summer school and other programs funded by recovery dollars. In turn, Connecticut has become a leader in the transparent spending of federal funds, as well as in engaging students and their communities in determining how federal dollars should be invested.

Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn describes the “big bet” Tennessee has taken with recovery funds to address flagging literacy with high dosage tutoring. Schwinn highlights how the pandemic allowed parents to more meaningfully engage in schools and gives a preview of what’s next for Tennessee’s schools.