Fitzgerald Financial Group’s Post

As we stand on the brink of a new era in education, supporters of private school choice, charter schools, and microschools are eager for transformative changes. With Donald Trump back in the White House, the potential for federal action could reshape the landscape of educational opportunities. Now is the time to innovate and advocate for a brighter future for all students. Learn more about this pivotal moment here: https://okt.to/Cyv6hR

It’s not about the needle, it’s about the haystack A recent piece in the New York Times by Rachel Louise Snyder about her path back from being one of America’s over 2 million high school dropouts was both inspiring and a reminder of the work ahead for our public school system. (See link to the NYT article below.) Ms. Snyder’s story (and especially the work of the educators who believed in her all through her turbulent time in school) is an illustration of what’s possible when we stick with struggling kids even when they make it very tough to do so. But Ms. Snyder is the needle in a haystack; the vast majority of children who have failed or are failing out of high school have no good choices. Despite her success, she ends her piece on an uncertain note, fearing that we still haven’t built an educational ecosystem where our children’s futures are not irrevocably damaged by their earliest stumbles. For the charter movement, this is an opportunity: how are we, with our long-standing commitment to high-quality choices for all communities and high standards for all students, going to make sure that we are opening doors for the most challenged children? For one answer, see here: (https://lnkd.in/e_Hh-ApX). The time is now for the charter sector to build on its commitment to excellence by scaling the nation’s best alternative school models to serve the students who need effective schools the most. And if you are working to improve the alternative school space (or want to learn more), please reach out and join Groundswell (https://lnkd.in/e5mfVfnD) and its national network of leading educators and advocates in our efforts to identify, strengthen and scale the best alternative schools nationwide. Link to the NYT article: https://lnkd.in/ezHaA-WH

Come join us tomorrow to learn more about Cowen Institute's recent parent perception poll on education in New Orleans!

It’s not about the needle, it’s about the haystack A recent piece in the New York Times by Rachel Louise Snyder about her path back from being one of America’s over 2 million high school dropouts was both inspiring and a reminder of the work ahead for our public school system. (See link to the NYT article below.) Ms. Snyder’s story (and especially the work of the educators who believed in her all through her turbulent time in school) is an illustration of what’s possible when we stick with struggling kids even when they make it very tough to do so. But Ms. Snyder is the needle in a haystack; the vast majority of children who have failed or are failing out of high school have no good choices. Despite her success, she ends her piece on an uncertain note, fearing that we still haven’t built an educational ecosystem where our children’s futures are not irrevocably damaged by their earliest stumbles. For the charter movement, this is an opportunity: how are we, with our long-standing commitment to high-quality choices for all communities and high standards for all students, going to make sure that we are opening doors for the most challenged children? For one answer, see here: (https://lnkd.in/eYnmsqxR). The time is now for the charter sector to build on its commitment to excellence by scaling the nation’s best alternative school models to serve the students who need effective schools the most. And if you are working to improve the alternative school space (or want to learn more), please reach out and join Groundswell (https://lnkd.in/e3QwQTBJ) and its national network of leading educators and advocates in our efforts to identify, strengthen and scale the best alternative schools nationwide. Link to the article in the NYT: https://lnkd.in/eesadTr8

"Educated kids make educated decisions." That’s why we partner with schools and our community of caring neighbors like you to help kids to succeed in school and in life.    Watch as Rene Gellerman, our President & CEO, shares with Johnny Marx the thinking behind our United for Schools initiative – to unite community resources and volunteers to help kids early on, to help them unlock brighter futures for themselves.   And, the results speak for themselves. Dive deeper here: https://lnkd.in/gXpwEqV3

Reflecting on some heartfelt moments from our #BrownVsBoard of Education gathering. Stay tuned for more from our #BrownVsBoardofEducation gathering. Follow us for updates! #InspiringDialogue #EducationalEmpowerment #ReflectingOnHistory

✨ Gifts to Grow On! 🌟 Dive into this heartwarming article and discover how you can make a lasting impact on children's education. Let's support our future! 🌱 https://ow.ly/bgIF50SrbO9 #GiftsToGrowOn #EducationMatters #FutureLeaders

This Children's Day, empower your Child's Future with Right Investment Planning with the education planning calculator. Calculate Now: https://web-link.co/a2atm

Boldness ⚡ abounded at this morning’s education panel at #TribFest. Some thoughts and comments that will stay with me, starting with those from the former Secretaries of Education: Arne Duncan reflected on our fraying democracy—we talk a lot about political polarization, but less about the growing gulf between education haves and have-nots. He empathized with how scary it is for parents who see their kids falling on the have-not side, especially when it’s no fault of their own but rather due to a lack of high-quality public options or affordable higher ed. Margaret Spellings pushed us to get real about the THING—if kids can't read, what does it matter what they’re (not) reading? Also, ignoring the baggage of NCLB proper, no child should be left behind. I’m sure we can all agree on that. But it’s also not okay to tell students (and their parents) that they’re on track (or even ahead) when they’re not. Quality, measurement, and transparency are key. (Truth leads to trust—another great line from this session.) And our very own Allan Golston made the simple point that if we don’t (or can’t) change what happens between a student and a teacher, we’ll be having this same conversation in 20 years. It’s always those simple ideas that get you, isn’t it? So much of my work is two (or three or ten) steps removed from that fundamental learner-educator relationship, it’s easy to forget. But what are the parts of my own education that I remember, that pushed me and made me better? Teachers. 💛 Another powerful throughline that deserves its whole own panel (...or conference, for that matter) was expanding the purview of public education from K-12 to PreK-14—starting the momemtum earlier and keeping it going longer. I like it. Thank you to Adam Harris for the lively and thoughtful facilitation and to The Texas Tribune for putting together such a brilliant (and bipartisan) event. 🤠 (And to Margaret's shoes for giving this photo a pop of color. 🍎 )