2020 and 2021 saw $190 billion in federal relief funds go to schools through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER).
But why aren’t schools spending the money? The answer–or, more accurately, answers–offers a glimpse into the complicated state of post-COVID education.
Districts received funds based on their Title I funding, and ESSER funds must be spent by September 2024. While many districts have planned how they’ll use their funding, they have not actually spent it to date.…Read More
Building a school master schedule isn’t easy. There are many moving parts to consider, including the required and elective classes for what often amounts to hundreds of students. Making all of these pieces fit together harmoniously is an art form, like conducting a thousand-piece orchestra.
If building a master schedule is like conducting an orchestra, then Jesus Amaya is a maestro. As the assistant principal of Raymondville Early College High School in Texas, Amaya has been compiling master schedules for years. Here, he reveals his secrets to doing so successfully.
Educators, students, parents, and the greater community are facing a mental health crisis.
Fortunately, with the right knowledge and tools, every stakeholder across the community, district, school, and classroom can advocate for mental wellness. By knowing how to help connect students to the right resources and providing comprehensive support for student mental health needs, we can all build a healthy, safe learning environment.
As young people respond to global circumstances, there is a new urgency to address mental health needs for all students. Learn the four reasons why schools should provide comprehensive mental health services for their students.
Social and emotional learning is critical for students’ mental well-being. And it may just be helping improve their academic achievement. Find out how.
Teaching consistently ranks as one of the most high-stress occupations. Find out how you can STOP teachers from leaving a profession they love with mindful, strength-based strategies and interventions that really work.
Learn how schools will be using ESSER funds, and as a result, ramping up processes that DocuSign can help streamline, like parent consent for IEPs and assessments, teacher and staff hiring and onboarding, and student admission enrollment forms.
Recent high-profile school emergencies have brought school safety to the forefront of the national conversation once more. Across the country, communities are debating the merits of a wide range of solutions, from staffing schools with armed guards and arming teachers, to instituting video monitoring of school buildings and grounds.
Cellular phone use in schools is prevalent, and some parent groups advocate for use of this popular technology because it can ensure mobile communications both indoors and outdoors. Most cellular emergency systems link student cell phone numbers and school eMail addresses together in order to broadcast emergency alerts. However, cellular coverage often varies by school district, and cellular technology cannot adequately locate mobile phone users indoors.
Video surveillance is another popular security enhancement to schools. Video has long been used to monitor school grounds, offering superior situational awareness to help first responders address emergencies. Cameras serve a dual purpose by capturing video footage during emergencies, and by deterring violence. However, CCTV systems do require ongoing staffing and can be costly for smaller schools.…Read More
