Meeting This Moment in K-12 Education: Actionable Resources for District and State Leaders
District and state education leaders are facing a moment of profound uncertainty.
Factors such as declining enrollment, rising costs, and funding unpredictability have created a financial environment unlike any in recent memory—all while gaps in student outcomes and experiences persist, and social-emotional needs reach an all-time high.
Get in Touch
Learn how ERS can help you navigate the road ahead.
Navigating these challenges with an eye toward financial sustainability will require bold and proactive leadership toward a shared vision for student success. Leaders must work together to ensure that while making difficult decisions and trade-offs, they’re protecting the strategies and practices that matter most and have a positive impact on students.
This four-part series of articles provides more information on the current challenges we face as a field and offers practical strategies and solutions for district and state leaders looking to navigate the difficult road ahead.
4 Resources to Help Shape the Future of K-12 Education
5 Intertwining Financial Challenges Districts Are Facing
To address the mounting and intertwining challenges, we first need to fully understand the magnitude of what districts are facing. Featuring unique data and insights from our district partners across the country, as well as the latest research in the field, this resource provides a comprehensive examination of the five most critical factors threatening financial sustainability right now.
When the Future Is Unclear, Start With What Matters Most
In this moment of uncertainty, we can’t afford to simply wait it out. District leaders can meet this moment by establishing a shared vision for a transformed school system, infusing budgeting processes with more agility and transparency, and tackling legacy structures that no longer serve the district. This brief highlights how leaders can turn tough decisions into a path toward more effective schools and improved student experiences and outcomes.
Ways to Reorganize Resources in Service of Students and Financial Sustainability
While the ideal path forward in times of uncertainty involves larger, more deliberate strategy shifts, some district leaders are also looking for short-term budget cuts that can serve a longer-term vision. How those decisions are made is critical, however, since across-the-board cuts can disproportionately affect students who need the most support. In this guide, we offer ways to reduce budgets strategically, responsibly, and quickly, as a critical part of a broader, agile budgeting process.
The Shifting Role of State Education Agencies in Supporting District Sustainability
Amidst this uncertainty, state education agencies (SEAs) are well-positioned to support districts. Using their statewide lens, SEAs can help identify common challenges, surface best practices, and guide districts in making tough decisions. This brief outlines seven actions that SEAs can take right now to help districts navigate the storm of compounding financial challenges.
Let’s Make the Most of This Moment Together
No matter where you are in this moment—whether it’s simply determining the impact of these challenges on your district, or facing a specific budget target and uncertain of where to start—we’re here to help. ERS has 20 years of experience partnering with large school districts to assess their resource use and make strategic shifts in how people, time, and money are used in schools to ensure that all students succeed. Fill out the form below to see how ERS might partner with your district to navigate the road ahead.
