What impact will the substantial investment in education have for students?

From the Desk of Ed Lambert, Executive Director

The state budget passed by the legislature this week will increase school funding by $268.4 million, a substantial investment in our public education system. If this, as many are saying, is the first installment of a multi-year increase, shouldn’t we know what we’re getting in return?

• Is this historic investment going to lead to real, measurable progress in closing racial and socio-economic achievement gaps?
• Are districts going to send more resources to the schools that are serving the highest need students?
• Are those schools going to use the new money to invest in practices that are proven to close gaps?
• How will progress be measured?
• When will progress to be reported?
• What happens if little or no progress is achieved?

None of these questions would seem out of line if they were related to a significant investment in any other area of the budget. Yet, discussion of these issues in education are swiftly and sharply criticized. That comes at the expense of students from low-income households and communities who need this money to be put to work to ensure they’re getting the education they need to thrive and prosper in our economy.

MBAE has not opposed increased spending, we have supported it. However, to make the investment without any plan for how it will be used and any reporting on whether it is having the impact students need is a missed opportunity our most underserved student populations cannot afford.

We continue to call on state leaders to ensure that funding is tied to needed reporting and reforms that are as essential as the money.

Sincerely,
Ed Lambert