Making Money Matter

“It is a hugely high stakes issue…..it is not just the investments and money, we need to make sure the policies are there to produce the biggest impact.” 

Matthew H. Joseph of ExcelinED offered this advice during the October 31, 2023 GLR Learning Tuesdays webinar, Making Money Matter. He explained that $1,000 can have double the impact on students from low-income families when we shift our focus “from inputs and micromanagement to say that what you really want to do is hold school districts accountable for outcomes.” This sentiment was echoed by Zahava Stadler of New America who talked about lessons learned from the ESSER funding cliff and reminded funders “not to get too minute.” Stadler explained that “districts got constant warnings about the fiscal cliff. Don’t spend this one-time money on recurring costs like staff, that would be irresponsible from a budgeting perspective. But you know what would be irresponsible? Trying to do anything in education without people.” This is just what Rochelle Wilcox of Wilcox Academy of Early Learning did while trying to increase funding for care for children during their “first 100 days” of life, she brought together her New Orleans community, training community members to be advocates for what will make the biggest impact for these children. 

Aleah Guthrie of Tennessee SCORE posed the question, “So how do you target your funds to student need in the way that funds are generated? How do you do more with still finite funds? How do you tell your story in a way that builds public confidence in the expenditure decisions that you’re making and that includes reporting?” One way that Tennessee did this was pairing legislation with a new approach to education funding that drew the focus back to students and their progress. For Andrea Figueroa, MPA, CNP, of the San Antonio Area Foundation they made both infrastructure and structural change to invest their dollars where the need is greatest. They looked closely at 17 ZIP codes and partnered with stakeholders and superintendents to target young people and their families. 

There are many concerns across the country regarding funding and distribution of resources. Elizabeth Gaines of the Children’s Funding Project reminded attendees that it is our responsibility to “figure out how to harness [resources] to support our youngest learners,” creating a space that is equitable and impactful.