Kyla Johnson-Trammel, superintendent of Oakland Unified School District, didn't hesitate when asked about what gives her hope for the future: "It's our kids."
The "cost of conflict" is weighing heavily on K12 budgets just as districts are losing COVID relief funding, states are tightening spending, and enrollment is falling in some regions.
Both elementary and middle schools cited trouble filling a special education vacancies with a fully certified teacher. English as a second language or bilingual teachers were the hardest posts to fill in high schools, national data suggests.
Traditionally, districts start each K12 budgeting cycle by taking last year's spending plan and deciding what needs to change. Frankly, that's an outdated approach, argues one expert.
Micro-credentials can be awarded long before a student reaches college. In fact, they're a great way for leaders to ensure historically marginalized students earn employable skills and prerequisites.
