Check this blog for our thoughts on timely topics and issues, and relevant resources that can inform your work right away. Send your comments, suggestions for future blogs and resources to us at info@education-first.com, and let us know what you think.
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The Importance of a ‘Sound Basic Education’ in North Carolina: Perspectives from the Field
In 1994, five counties in North Carolina serving predominantly students of color and students from low-income families filed a lawsuit (Leandro vs. State of North Carolina) arguing that the state wasn’t giving districts the money they needed to provide an equal and quality education to their students. The North Carolina Supreme Court has since ruled three times—in 1997, 2004 and...
Read more >Topic: Equity in EducationService: Convene Learning Communities -
If we can’t talk about racism in education, how will we address racial inequity in education?
Advancing racial equity is central to ensuring every student in North Carolina has a sound basic education, particularly given the shifting racial demographics in our state. Earlier this year, Education First facilitated a community of practice (CoP) that included leaders across the state in discussion about private funding in public education with a focus on racial equity. As we concluded...
Read more >Topic: Equity in EducationService: Convene Learning Communities -
Race, School Funding and Power: Lessons learned from the North Carolina Racial Equity and Social Impact Community of Practice
In 1994, five counties in North Carolina serving predominantly students of color and students from low-income families filed a lawsuit (Leandro vs. State of North Carolina) arguing that the state wasn’t giving districts the money they needed to provide an equal and quality education to their students. The North Carolina Supreme Court has since ruled three times—in 1997, 2004 and...
Read more >Topic: Equity in EducationService: Convene Learning Communities -
The Magic of Building Relationships to Improve School Culture
Family. Resilience. Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Relationships. All of these terms have become mainstream during the last eighteen months, but what do they truly mean? How do we teach students and adults to be resilient by coming together to build “familial” relationships? In my eighteen years in education I have seen teachers come and go. Many did not make it...
Read more >Client: NoVo Foundation Topic: SEL in Action, Social and Emotional LearningFocus Area: Social emotional and academic development -
Releasing Control
I am standing here leaning over the kitchen sink like Elizabeth Lesser: “Broken Open.” I am happily healing from a back breaking wound witnessed by the sagging bellied dishwasher as I turned erratically to extract dishes that day 4 years ago. That day I spent writhing in pain until released from the ER with a cautionary note—not to return for...
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Becoming a Thriving Organization
An education-focused organization best achieves its mission and creates desired impact when every team member is connected, engaged and performing at the top of their game to get breakthrough results and make a positive difference for kids. The health of an organization—its ability to thrive—lies at the intersection of the employee experience and organizational effectiveness. This determines who decides to...
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Advice to the Rookie Educator…Self-Regulation is Self-Care for the Soul
To the new teachers out there, are you: Excited about what this year will bring and courageously making an entrance into the education arena for the purpose of serving today’s youth? Vowing personally to provide the utmost professionalism possible whether your initial, or second profession from a previous career? With an inner desire to reach today’s youth, you’ve selected to...
Read more >Client: NoVo Foundation Topic: SEL in ActionFocus Area: Social emotional and academic developmentService: Build coherent strategy, Convene Learning Communities, Design for equity -
Reflections on the Family Math Roadmap from Education First
Over the past three years, Education First has been working with a diverse group of family math researchers, practitioners, parents and funders to build a movement designed to grow awareness about the importance of early math for students’ success in school, work and life. As we embark on the leadership transition of the growing Family Math movement from Education First...
Read more >Focus Area: COVID-19 strategic recovery, Innovative systems and schoolsService: Design for equity -
Innovative Staffing Models to Sustain Teacher Residencies
Imagine you are applying to teacher preparation programs, eager to begin impacting students. You know your clinical experience will be critical to your preparation and are searching for teacher residencies – you like the idea of a residency program because you would have a year-long clinical experience that pairs you with a highly-effective mentor teacher for immersive training in a...
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Family Math Throughout COVID: Zeno Math
COVID-19 forced us all to make big changes, some of which are going to continue beyond the pandemic. This six-part blog series asked six different Family Math organizations how they continued to serve families during the pandemic and what they’ll keep moving forward. What is Family Math? Family Math is an emerging movement to promote math activities within the context...
Read more >Topic: familyFocus Area: COVID-19 strategic recovery, Innovative systems and schoolsService: Design for equity
