Schools face falling enrollment and shifting program funding

by Bernadette Achieng About Bernadette AchiengOctober 23, 20266 links · ~40 min read · ~1 min for the TL;DR

Office Hours by Bernadette Achieng: six links on Education every week.

TL;DR

Uncertified teachers increased and enrolled student numbers fell after a state takeover in Houston, while data indicates uneven results across other Texas districts.
School districts are reducing or pausing high-dosage tutoring following the end of pandemic funding, while some attempt to retain the most effective elements of their programs.
Democrats remain split over a new federal scholarship tax credit program that could assist public school families with educational costs but might also cause harm.
Falling birth rates have caused enrollment losses that affect not only public school districts, but also charter and private schools across California, Georgia, and Wisconsin.
Education Secretary Lucy Powell faces critical decisions regarding which school reforms to prioritize first rather than preserving the existing status quo.
Colorado officials are considering stricter regulations for homeschool enrichment programs after state spending on them reached nearly $100 million last year.

From the curator

School systems and alternative education programs face tightening budgets, dropping enrollment, and contentious policy changes. Linda Jacobson's 10-minute article for the74million.org reports that low birth rates have reduced student enrollment across public districts, charters, and private schools in California, Georgia, and Wisconsin. In Texas, Daniel H. Robinson's 6-minute article for The Conversation shows that Houston saw more uncertified teachers and fewer students following a state takeover. At the same time, NPR's 9-minute article notes that Democrats are divided over whether a federal scholarship tax credit program will help public school families pay for services or inflict harm. Meanwhile, districts are re-evaluating tutoring after pandemic funding ended, and Colorado is considering stricter rules for homeschool enrichment.

Bernadette Achieng

Curated for this issue

The Conversation6 min readState takeovers of struggling Texas school districts come at a high cost, with little evidence of success
The number of uncertified teachers rose, while enrolled student numbers dropped, following a state takeover of Houston. Data shows other uneven results across districts.

Daniel H. Robinson · curated 1 time

edsurge.com7 min readCan High-Impact Tutoring Survive Post-Pandemic Funding Loss?
Some districts have reduced or paused “high-dosage” tutoring, while others are finding ways to save the most effective aspects of their programs.

NPR9 min readCan the new federal voucher program help public schools? Democrats are torn
The new scholarship tax credit program could help public school families pay for some educational services, but advocates worry it could do more harm than good.

the74million.org10 min read‘Just Aren’t Enough Kids’: Choice Schools Feel Effects of Low Birth Rates, Too
California, Georgia and Wisconsin are among the states where enrollment loss hits not just districts, but also charters and private schools.

Linda Jacobson · curated 1 time

the Guardian3 min readThe Guardian view on schools: the hardest questions for Lucy Powell are about priorities | Editorial
Editorial: The education secretary is right that her job is not to ‘polish the status quo’. Next, she must decide what to change first

the74million.org3 min readColorado Officials Weighing Stricter Rules for Homeschool Enrichment Programs
Last year, homeschool enrichment cost the state nearly $100 million.

Ann Schimke · curated 1 time

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From the curator

edsurge.com7 min readCan High-Impact Tutoring Survive Post-Pandemic Funding Loss?Some districts have reduced or paused “high-dosage” tutoring, while others are finding ways to save the most effective aspects of their programs.

NPR9 min readCan the new federal voucher program help public schools? Democrats are tornThe new scholarship tax credit program could help public school families pay for some educational services, but advocates worry it could do more harm than good.

the74million.org10 min read‘Just Aren’t Enough Kids’: Choice Schools Feel Effects of Low Birth Rates, TooCalifornia, Georgia and Wisconsin are among the states where enrollment loss hits not just districts, but also charters and private schools.

the Guardian3 min readThe Guardian view on schools: the hardest questions for Lucy Powell are about priorities | EditorialEditorial: The education secretary is right that her job is not to ‘polish the status quo’. Next, she must decide what to change first

the74million.org3 min readColorado Officials Weighing Stricter Rules for Homeschool Enrichment ProgramsLast year, homeschool enrichment cost the state nearly $100 million.

edsurge.com7 min readCan High-Impact Tutoring Survive Post-Pandemic Funding Loss?
Some districts have reduced or paused “high-dosage” tutoring, while others are finding ways to save the most effective aspects of their programs.

NPR9 min readCan the new federal voucher program help public schools? Democrats are torn
The new scholarship tax credit program could help public school families pay for some educational services, but advocates worry it could do more harm than good.

the74million.org10 min read‘Just Aren’t Enough Kids’: Choice Schools Feel Effects of Low Birth Rates, Too
California, Georgia and Wisconsin are among the states where enrollment loss hits not just districts, but also charters and private schools.

the Guardian3 min readThe Guardian view on schools: the hardest questions for Lucy Powell are about priorities | Editorial
Editorial: The education secretary is right that her job is not to ‘polish the status quo’. Next, she must decide what to change first

the74million.org3 min readColorado Officials Weighing Stricter Rules for Homeschool Enrichment Programs
Last year, homeschool enrichment cost the state nearly $100 million.