Council Of The Great City Schools

CGCS HELPS ITS MEMBERS IMPROVE THROUGH ASSISTANCE, RESEARCH, CONFERENCES, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.

CATEGORICAL GRANTS - THE COUNCIL RECEIVED FIVE NEW CATEGORICAL GRANTS IN FY20-21, INCLUDING SUPPORT FROM 1) THE SCHUSTERMAN FOUNDATION TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR PHASE II PROJECT (EMERGENCY RESPONSE); 2) THE HEWLETT FOUNDATION FOR SUPPORT OF CONVENING SAFE SCHOOL OPENINGS AND OPERATION DURING COVID-19; 3) THE GATES FOUNDATION ALSO FOR SUPPORT OF CONVENING SAFE SCHOOL OPENINGS AND OPERATION DURING COVID-19; 4) THE WALLACE FOUNDATION TO PROVIDE COACHING FOR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS IN 20 DISTRICTS ON HOW TO INCORPORATE PRINCIPAL PIPELINES INTO THEIR DISTRICTS' STRATEGIC PLANS AND ACTIVITIES; AND 5) THE SCHUSTERMAN FOUNDATION TO DEVELOP A STUDY ON HOW DISTRICTS USE THEIR FEDERAL ARP MONEY DURING THE PANDEMIC.CONTINUED ON PAGE 43.THE ORGANIZATION ALSO OPERATED: 1) THE SECOND AND LAST YEAR OF THE SCHUSTERMAN FOUNDATION GRANT TO PROVIDE 2020 CONTINUITY OF LEARNING SUPPORT FOR THE ORGANIZATION IN IDENTIFYING AND SHARING BEST PRACTICES AND EXEMPLARS ON ESSENTIAL ELA AND MATH CONTENT; 2) THE SECOND AND LAST YEAR OF THE WALLACE FOUNDATION GRANT TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO DISTRICTS INVOLVED IN THE PRINCIPAL PIPELINE; 3) THE SECOND AND LAST YEAR OF THE COLLEGE BOARD GRANT ENCOURAGE MEMBERSHIP SCHOOLS TO SIGN UP FOR THE START LEADERSHIP PROGRAM; 4) THE THIRD AND LAST YEAR OF THE GATES FOUNDATION FOR A "CURRICULUM SUPPORTS FOR STANDARDS IMPLEMENTATION & EQUITY POLICY SUPPORT" PROJECT; AND, 5) THE THIRD AND LAST YEAR OF THE W.K. KELLOGG FOUNDATION CONTRACT THROUGH STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT PARTNERS, INC. ON A MULTI-DISTRICT EARLY-LITERACY ACCELERATOR PILOT. OTHER GRANTS RECEIVED THIS YEAR SUPPORTED PEER-TO-PEER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TEAMS TO HELP MEMBER DISTRICTS IMPROVE INSTRUCTION AND OPERATIONS. THE COUNCIL PRODUCED A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON EACH OF THESE REVIEWS WITH DETAILED RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO IMPROVE SCHOOL-DISTRICT PERFORMANCE AND OPERATIONS.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP SERVICES THIS IS THE COMBINED ORGANIZATIONAL SERVICES OF THE COUNCIL OF THE GREAT CITY SCHOOLS, INCLUDING LEGISLATION, COMMUNICATIONS, RESEARCH, ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT/TASK FORCES, AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES. IN EACH OF THESE AREAS, THE COUNCIL CONDUCTED OVER 1,000 REGULAR ZOOM CALLS TO CONNECT MEMBER DISTRICTS TO PEERS AND SUPPORT DURING THE YEAR.CONTINUED ON PAGE 44LEGISLATION-THE COUNCIL HELPS SHAPE LEGISLATION TO STRENGTHEN THE QUALITY OF SCHOOLING FOR THE NATION'S URBAN CHILDREN BY PROVIDING INFORMATION TO FEDERAL AGENCIES AND TO THE MEMBERSHIP ON FEDERAL ACTIVITY. IN 2020-21, THE COUNCIL-- SUCCESSFULLY ADVOCATED FOR THE USE OF THE TITLE I FORMULA TO DISTRIBUTE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL EMERGENCY RELIEF (ESSER) FUNDING, INCLUDING $54 BILLION UNDER THE CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE AND RELIEF SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS (CRRSA) ACT AND $122 BILLION UNDER THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN, RESULTING IN MORE THAN $50 BILLION IN FUNDING FOR COUNCIL MEMBER SCHOOL DISTRICTS. COORDINATED COUNCIL DISTRICTS' PARTICIPATION IN THREE STATE LAWSUITS AND FILED SUPPORTING AMICUS BRIEFS OPPOSING THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S INTERIM FINAL RULE ON EQUITABLE SERVICES THAT WOULD HAVE DIVERTED AN ADDITIONAL $300 MILLION IN COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDING FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS BEYOND THE AMOUNT REQUIRED IN THE CARES ACT. - SENT DETAILED POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS TO PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN AND THE INCOMING ADMINISTRATION'S EDUCATION TRANSITION TEAM, FOCUSING ON SUBSTANTIAL FINANCIAL SHORTFALLS IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF STUDENTS AND STAFF DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, AND RACIAL AND ETHNIC EQUITY AND JUSTICE. - CIRCULATED DETAILED SUMMARIES OF THE SIX ENACTED PANDEMIC RELIEF AND RECOVERY BILLS INCLUDING EDUCATION FUNDING, HEALTH RELATED FUNDING, TAX CREDITS, AND EMPLOYMENT AND BENEFIT PROVISIONS, AS WELL AS SIMILAR SUMMARIES OF THE VARIOUS MAJOR INTERIM PROPOSALS. - PROVIDED HUNDREDS OF BRIEFINGS TO CGCS SCHOOL BOARDS, SUPERINTENDENTS, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERS, GENERAL COUNSELS, AND OTHER SENIOR DISTRICT OFFICIALS ON THE STATUS OF FEDERAL COVID-19 FUNDING, INCLUDING CONGRESSIONAL PROPOSALS, ENACTED LEGISLATION, AND AGENCY REGULATIONS AND WAIVERS. - HOSTED THE 2021 ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE/POLICY CONFERENCE VIRTUALLY, WITH REMARKS FROM THE NEW SECRETARY OF EDUCATION, THE CHAIRS OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEES ON EDUCATION & LABOR AND WAYS & MEANS, AND THE LABOR SECRETARY-DESIGNATE, AS WELL AS Q&A SESSIONS WITH STAFF FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AND CONGRESS. - SUPPORTED PROPOSALS FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND CONTINUED TO ADVOCATE FOR $100 BILLION IN SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT THROUGH THE AMERICAN JOBS PLAN, OVER $200 BILLION IN UNIVERSAL PRE-SCHOOL AND CHILD-CARE GRANTS UNDER THE AMERICAN FAMILIES PLAN, AND DOUBLING ANNUAL TITLE I FUNDING IN THE FY 2022 BUDGET PROPOSAL. - SUBMITTED REGULATORY COMMENTS TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON THE INTERIM FINAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND (ESSER) AND PROVIDED TESTIMONY ON TITLE IX REGULATORY REVISIONS TO THE OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS. - ENCOURAGED THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ENFORCE STRICT COMPLIANCE WITH THE STATE MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT PROVISIONS FOR ESSER FUNDS UNDER THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN TO ENSURE FEDERAL STIMULUS FUNDS ARE NOT OFFSET BY REDUCTIONS IN STATE AID. - SUPPORTED THE $1 BILLION EMERGENCY OPERATIONS RELIEF FOR SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAMS IN THE DECEMBER 2020 CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS BILL.- SUBMITTED COMMENTS TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SUPPORTING ADDITIONAL REGULATORY SIMPLIFICATION AND STREAMLINING IN THE REGULAR SCHOOL MEAL AND SUMMER FOOD PROGRAMS, AND SUCCESSFULLY PROMOTED THE EXTENSION OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) COVID-19 WAIVERS FOR SCHOOL MEALS TO CONTINUE TO ALLOW DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE FREE MEALS TO ALL STUDENTS THROUGH PICK-UP, DROPOFF, AND OTHER DELIVERY METHODS. - BRIEFED THE WHITE HOUSE MULTIPLE TIMES ON COUNCIL MEMBERS' EFFORTS TO VACCINATE CITIZENS, STAFF, AND STUDENTS AT SCHOOL SITES. - FILED MULTIPLE COMMENTS WITH THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (FCC) TO ENSURE THAT $10 BILLION IN COVID-19 FUNDING FOR EMERGENCY BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY AND REMOTE LEARNING WAS TARGETED TO POVERTY, REQUIRED MINIMAL APPLICATION BURDEN FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND PROTECTED STUDENT AND FAMILY PRIVACY. - FILED RECOMMENDATIONS WITH THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION SUPPORTING THE PERMANENT USE OF THE E-RATE PROGRAM FOR OFF-CAMPUS STUDENT INTERNET ACCESS AND PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO MAKE SCHOOL DISTRICT CYBERSECURITY COSTS ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT. - HOSTED A SERIES OF LEGAL WEBINARS WITH HUSCH BLACKWELL ON ISSUES AFFECTING URBAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS, INCLUDING COVID-19 TESTING AND VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS; LGBTQ+ ISSUES; LEGAL AND POLICY PRIORITIES OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION; AND FIRST AMENDMENT AND HATE SPEECH ISSUES.-COORDINATED EFFORTS AMONG MEMBER LEGAL COUNSELS TO OPPOSE AN IDEA-RELATED NATIONAL CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT. -OPPOSED THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S EDUCATION FREEDOM SCHOLARSHIP PROPOSAL, WHICH WOULD PROVIDE $5 BILLION IN FEDERAL TAX CREDITS FOR DONATIONS THAT COULD BE USED FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION. -FIELDED SCORES OF LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY QUESTIONS AND INTERCEDED FOR MEMBER SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO RESOLVE PROBLEMS WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES. COMMUNICATIONS-THE COUNCIL WORKS TO GIVE THE PUBLIC AND THE PRESS A BALANCED AND ACCURATE VIEW OF THE CHALLENGES, DEVELOPMENTS, AND SUCCESS OF URBAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. IN 2020-21 THE COUNCIL -LAUNCHED A REOPENING SCHOOLS TRACKER WITH EDUCATION WEEK TO PROVIDE UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THE OPERATING STATUS OF THE NATION'S LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICTS. -HELD AN INTRODUCTORY CONFERENCE CALL WITH COMMUNICATION DIRECTORS FROM URBAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE NEW COMMUNICATIONS TEAM FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. -FIELDED SCORES OF INQUIRIES FROM NATIONAL AND REGIONAL MEDIA OUTLETS SUCH AS THE NEW YORK TIMES, WASHINGTON POST, EDUCATION WEEK, WALL STREET JOURNAL, USA TODAY, ASSOCIATED PRESS, AND U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT. -EMAILED EIGHT ISSUES OF THE COUNCIL'S AWARD-WINNING DIGITAL NEWSLETTER, THE URBAN EDUCATOR. -CREATED THE COMMUNICATIONS TOOLKIT FOR REOPENING SCHOOLS AFTER COVID-19 TO PROVIDE DISTRICT LEADERS AND COMMUNICATIONS STAFF IN URBAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EFFECTIVE MESSAGING DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS. -HOSTED THE ORGANIZATION'S 64TH ANNUAL FALL CONFERENCE FEATURING LAURA BUSH, IBRAM X. KENDI, JULIAN CASTRO, TOM FRIEDMAN, AN ALL STUDENT PANEL DISCUSSING ISSUES OF RACE AND EQUITY, AND DOZENS OF BEST PRACTICES PANELS WITH MEMBER DISTRICTS. -PUBLISHED THE ORGANIZATION'S ANNUAL REPORT. -ISSUED MORE THAN A DOZEN PRESS RELEASES ON COUNCIL ACTIVITIES. -ISSUED STATEMENTS ON THE KILLING OF GEORGE FLOYD AND THE STORMING OF THE U.S. CAPITOL. -MANAGED THE CGCS-BERNARD HARRIS MATH AND SCIENCE SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAM. RESEARCH-TIMELY DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS ALLOW THE COUNCIL TO PREPARE COMPREHENSIVE REPORTS, PREDICT TRENDS, AND ASSESS VARIOUS REFORMS AND PRACTICES ON STUDENT PERFORMANCE. IN 2020-21, THE COUNCIL-CONDUCTED BI-WEEKLY COVID-19 MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL/ EMOTIONAL LEARNING MEETINGS WITH MEMBER DISTRICTS TO DISCUSS DISTRICT NEEDS AND PLANS FOR RESPONDING TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.-WROTE REPORT, ENSURING A DATA-DRIVEN APPROACH TO REOPENING SCHOOLS AFTER COVID-19: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RESEARCH AND ASSESSMENT, TO CLARIFY THE ROLE OF RESEARCH DEPARTMENTS IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS' RESPONSES TO THE PANDEMIC. -ANALYZED NAEP AND ACADEMIC KPI DATA TO ASSESS THE PROGRESS OF YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN OF COLOR ACROSS COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICTS AND PRESENTED IT AT THE COUNCIL'S BLACK AND LATINO YOUNG MEN AND BOYS TASK FORCE AND BLACK AND LATINA YOUNG WOMEN AND GIRLS TASK FORCE MEETINGS.-PROVIDED DATA ANALYSIS ON DISPROPORTIONALITY FOR YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN OF COLOR TO SUPPORT DISTRICT EFFORTS TO IMPROVE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL OUTCOMES FOR STUDENTS.-COMPLETED THREE NATIONAL SURVEYS IN COLLABORATION WITH THE RAND CORPORATION AS PART OF THE AMERICAN SCHOOL DISTRICT PANEL ON DISTRICT PLANS AND PROGRESS RELATED TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.-COLLECTED, ANALYZED, AND REPORTED ON THE COUNCIL'S ACADEMIC KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIS) ON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT LEVELS, ATTENDANCE, SUSPENSIONS, COURSE PARTICIPATION, AP ATTAINMENT, GRADUATION RATES, SPECIAL EDUCATION TRENDS, AND PRINCIPAL AND TEACHER DEMOGRAPHIC DATA.-EXPANDED THE COUNCIL'S ACADEMIC KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIS) TO INCLUDE ANNUAL DATA COLLECTION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS IN MEMBER DISTRICTS. -CONDUCTED RESEARCH ON URBAN SCHOOL PROGRESS ON THE TRIAL URBAN DISTRICT ASSESSMENT (TUDA) OF THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS (NAEP). -TESTIFIED BEFORE THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT GOVERNING BOARD ARGUING FOR A DELAY IN 2021 NAEP TESTING UNTIL 2022. REQUEST WAS GRANTED.

MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES -DUE TO THE ONGOING COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THE COUNCIL ONLY HELD FIVE VIRTUAL CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS IN FY20-21. THE 64TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN OCTOBER 2020 FOCUSED ON CHALLENGES FACING THE NATION'S LARGEST URBAN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, WHILE THE SPRING LEGISLATIVE/POLICY CONFERENCE IN MARCH 2021 FOCUSED ON GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND ISSUES CONCERNING FEDERAL SPENDING.