How Connecticut Education Leaders Used ERS’ Budget Hold’em to Rethink Student Supports
“What should our priorities be?”
“Should we only consider this year’s budget or factor in long-term needs?”
“What haven’t we already done to improve student outcomes?”
These were the questions Connecticut education leaders asked during their interactive Budget Hold’em workshop. Led by ERS budget experts, more than 70 superintendents, school board members, and other high-level school leaders challenged each other to step outside of the constraints of their day-to-day decision-making.
Together, they took an altogether new approach, considering their budgets in the context of bold visions for the future of their school system. With a deck of cards in their hands and ambitious goals in their hearts, these leaders used Hold’em to find new pathways to a better future for their students, teachers, and communities.
Thinking Big With Budget Hold’em
Budget Hold’em for Districts is an interactive exercise in which players build a hand of research-backed investments proven to boost student experiences and outcomes—and strategic budget reductions to make those investments come to life. Based on data from more than two decades of hands-on district and state partnerships, the 30+ cards help leaders consider the strategies that can help them advance their core priorities.
And that’s exactly what the Connecticut team did.
I liked the structure of Budget Hold’em. It was refreshingly therapeutic. I’m recharged to go back and engage again in the process.
—Ann Gruenberg, former Connecticut Board of Education Member
Their primary goal: Finding ways to improve student experiences and outcomes. Separating into smaller groups, the leaders engaged in spirited conversations about specific strategies:
- Supporting preK and intervention. One group found that by reducing the number of special education aides, they could invest more heavily in early learning and intervention—both big-ticket items.
- Adjusting teacher compensation. Another group eliminated cost-of-living increases for teachers to invest more in professional development and special education.
- Thinking bigger and bolder. Some teams used Hold’em as an opportunity to be as creative as possible with their investments and tradeoffs, knowing the game offered them a safe place to think outside the box.
If there is any moment at which we could seriously have these kinds of discussions—it’s now. You can’t keep doing more with less. Now is the time to look at new ideas, in an era of budget shortfalls.
—Alicia Roy, former Superintendent of New Fairfield Public Schools
When Transformation Becomes Possible
Some players approached the Budget Hold’em game with skepticism. Would they be able to step outside their typical decision-making processes? Would they be able to find common ground and work through competing priorities?
Teams soon found out that not only were these things possible, but that the game was specifically designed to help teams achieve them. Players became innovative thinkers—refusing to see constraints as permanent—seeking creative solutions, and asking hard questions.
Rather than dictating specific investments or cuts, Budget Hold’em gave Connecticut education leaders the opportunity to tie budgets to strategic priorities and free the budget process from the routine of spreadsheets and incremental reductions. The game isn’t about taking drastic measures haphazardly. It’s about making creative, intentional choices to forge a better future for students and communities.
Budget Hold’em Options for Every Need
There are countless ways to find value out of our Budget Hold’em options. Don’t get waylaid by tangential needs or discouraged by tight budgets. Instead, play Hold’em to reveal creative solutions to the toughest education problems.
Play a customized game, guided by an ERS budget expert.
Gather your colleagues and lead your own Hold’em session.
Experience our free Hold’em game online with just one click.