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 AND CONTRACT IN FY21-22, INCLUDING SUPPORT FROM 1) THE GATES FOUNDATION FOR SUPPORT OF LARGE SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN COVID-19 RECOVERY BY HELPING BUILD INTERNAL DISTRICT CAPACITY THROUGH STRENGTHENING THREE CORE PROCESSES PLANNING, CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT/MATERIALS SELECTION AND PROCUREMENT; 2) THE WALLACE FOUNDATION TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE SCHOOL BOARDS OF THE DISTRICTS PARTICIPATING IN THE EQUITY-CENTERED PIPELINE INITIATIVE;CONTINUED ON PAGE 52 3) THE WALLACE FOUNDATION TO PROVIDE DISTRICTS IN THE PRINCIPAL PIPELINE LEARNING COMMUNITY WITH FREE CONSULTATION ON THE USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS TO ACHIEVE THEIR STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES; 4) THE COUNCIL CHIEF STATE SCHOOL OFFICERS (CCSSO) TO SUPPORT THE COALITION TO ADVANCE FUTURE STUDENT SUCCESS BY SERVING AS PRINCIPAL PARTNER TO EXECUTE STRATEGY AND DISSEMINATION WORK THAT DIRECTLY SUPPORTS THE SUCCESS OF THE STUDENTS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS (ACCT83); AND 5) THE WALLACE FOUNDATION TO DEVELOP A PRACTITIONER TOOL TO HELP DISTRICTS WITH AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN IMPLEMENTATION AND IN PARTICULAR, USING PRINCIPAL PIPELINES AS A MAIN STRATEGY TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS.THE ORGANIZATION ALSO OPERATED: 1) THE SECOND AND FINAL YEAR OF THE SCHUSTERMAN FOUNDATION GRANT TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR PHASE II PROJECT (EMERGENCY RESPONSE); 2) SECOND AND FINAL YEAR OF THE HEWLETT FOUNDATION GRANT FOR SUPPORT OF CONVENING SAFE SCHOOL OPENINGS AND OPERATION DURING COVID-19; 3) THE SECOND AND FINAL YEAR OF THE GATES FOUNDATION SUPPORT FOR CONVENING SAFE SCHOOL OPENINGS AND OPERATION DURING COVID-19; 4) THE SECOND AND FINAL YEAR OF THE WALLACE FOUNDATION GRANT 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 SECOND AND FINAL YEAR OF THE SCHUSTERMAN FOUNDATION GRANT TO DEVELOP A STUDY ON HOW DISTRICTS USED THEIR FEDERAL ARP MONEY DURING THE PANDEMIC.ONGOING PROJECTS CONTINUE FOR CONTRACTS WITH: 1) THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT IRVINE TO PARTICIPATE IN A LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT BASED ON PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ON THE TEACHING OF WRITING SKILLS; 2) THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION (ISTE) TO LEAD AND COORDINATE DISTRICT LEVEL INTEROPERABILITY AND PROCUREMENT LISTENING TOUR AND ROUNDTABLE EFFORTS AND CREATE THE FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENTS OF A RUBRIC/GUIDELINES IN SUBSEQUENT WORKS AND ANTICIPATED USES; 3) THE RAND CORPORATION FOR ADMINISTERING AMERICAN SCHOOL DISTRICT PANEL (ASDP) SURVEYS; AND 4) THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT GOVERNING BOARD (GOVERNING BOARD) FOR A TRIAL URBAN DISTRICT ASSESSMENT (TUDA) ADVISORY GROUP.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP SERVICESTHIS 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 43LEGISLATION--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 2021-22, THE COUNCIL PROVIDED DOZENS OF BRIEFINGS TO CGCS SCHOOL BOARDS, SUPERINTENDENTS, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERS, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS DIRECTORS, GENERAL COUNSELS, AND OTHER SENIOR DISTRICT OFFICIALS ON THE STATUS OF FEDERAL COVID-19 FUNDING, INCLUDING ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL EMERGENCY RELIEF (ESSER) FUNDS AND CONGRESSIONAL PROPOSALS FOR SCHOOL FACILITIES AND UNIVERSAL PRE-SCHOOL, AS WELL AS UPDATES TO FEDERAL AGENCY GUIDANCE, REGULATIONS AND WAIVERS.-SUBMITTED MULTIPLE SETS OF COMMENTS AND DETAILED POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION REQUESTING FLEXIBILITY IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR ESSER FUNDS, GARNERING ADDITIONAL TIME FOR THE DEPARTMENT'S EXTRAORDINARY DATA COLLECTION REQUEST AND A LOCAL COMPLIANCE EXCEPTION FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF EQUITY PROVISION BASED ON SCHOOL-LEVEL SHIFTS IN STAFFING, SALARIES, AND ENROLLMENT.-WORKED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ENSURE THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS CONTINUED TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE TITLE I FISCAL WAIVERS THAT WERE PROVIDED AT THE START OF THE PANDEMIC AGAIN IN SCHOOL YEAR 2021-22, ALLOWING FOR CARRYOVER OF FUNDS AND LONGER PERIODS OF AVAILABILITY. -ADVOCATED FOR PRIORITIZING $7 BILLION IN THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION'S EDUCATION CONNECTIVITY FUND ON LOW-INCOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR THE PURCHASE OF DEVICES AND INTERNET ACCESS TO BE USED BY STUDENTS AND STAFF AT HOME AND OFF-CAMPUS.-SUPPORTED THE SUCCESSFUL PASSAGE OF AN ADDITIONAL $1 BILLION IN TITLE I APPROPRIATIONS FOR FEDERAL FY 2022, THE LARGEST SINGLE-YEAR INCREASE IN MORE THAN TWENTY YEARS AND WHICH RAISED THE BASELINE AMOUNT OF THE ANNUAL PROGRAM TO $17.5 BILLION.-WORKED WITH THE WHITE HOUSE AND THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) TO CLARIFY THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS COULD SUBMIT REIMBURSEMENT REQUESTS FOR COVID-19 MITIGATION COSTS INCURRED SINCE MARCH OF 2020 UNDER FEMA'S PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, AND IF APPROVED, RE-PROGRAM THE DISTRICT'S INITIAL UPFRONT PAYMENT BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL SOURCE. -SUBMITTED COMMENTS TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SUPPORTING SCHOOL DISTRICT FLEXIBILITY IN THE RETURN TO REGULAR SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAMS AND ENCOURAGED THE EXTENSION OF SCHOOL MEAL COVID-19 WAIVERS THROUGH SCHOOL YEAR 2022-23. -LAUNCHED A SURVEY ON ESSER FUNDING IN THE GREAT CITY SCHOOLS TO COLLECT BASELINE FINANCIAL INFORMATION TO CONTINUE ADVOCATING FOR FLEXIBILITY AND DEMONSTRATE TO POLICYMAKERS AND THE PUBLIC THAT URBAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE USING THE FUNDS WISELY TO ADDRESS BOTH LOST INSTRUCTIONAL TIME DUE TO COVID-19 AND THE PRE-EXISTING CHALLENGES THAT MAY IMPEDE RECOVERY FROM THE PANDEMIC.-SUBMITTED COMMENTS SUPPORTING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY'S PROPOSED RULE WHICH CLARIFIED THAT ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION IN CERTAIN PROGRAMS, SERVICES, AND BENEFITS INCLUDING THE NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM AND SCHOOL-BASED MEDICAID WOULD NOT NEGATIVELY AFFECT AN INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY MEMBER'S FUTURE APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION, EXTENSION, MAINTENANCE, ADJUSTMENT IN IMMIGRATION STATUS, OR APPLICATION FOR CITIZENSHIP.-DISSEMINATED A SURVEY ON URBAN SCHOOL DISTRICT EFFORTS TO ADDRESS GAPS IN STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES USING RACE-CONSCIOUS OR RACE-NEUTRAL POLICIES FOR A CGCS AMICUS BRIEF ON A SUPREME COURT CASE SEEKING TO PROHIBIT NARROWLY TAILORED, RACE-CONSCIOUS MEASURES TO PROMOTE DIVERSE STUDENT BODIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION.-HOSTED A SERIES OF LEGAL WEBINARS WITH HUSCH BLACKWELL ON ISSUES AFFECTING URBAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS, INCLUDING NAVIGATING CONVERSATIONS ON RACE AND FIRST AMENDMENT CONSIDERATIONS IN THE AGE OF SOCIAL MEDIA. -SUBMITTED COMMENTS TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTING URBAN SCHOOL DISTRICT PRACTICES IN ADVANCE OF REGULATORY CHANGES TO SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. -FILED MULTIPLE SETS OF COMMENTS WITH THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (FCC) HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPORTANCE OF REDUCING APPLICANT BURDEN AND SUPPORTING DISTRICT CYBERSECURITY COSTS UNDER THE E-RATE PROGRAM AND SECURING THE USE OF A SCHOOL'S PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMUNITY ELIGIBILITY PROGRAM (CEP) AS AN AUTOMATIC ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES UNDER THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM. -HOSTED THE IN-PERSON 2022 ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE/POLICY CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON, D.C., WITH REMARKS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE'S SENIOR EDUCATION POLICY ADVISOR, DEPUTY SECRETARY OF EDUCATION, AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR CIVIL RIGHTS, AS WELL AS LEGISLATIVE BRIEFINGS AND Q&A SESSIONS WITH STAFF FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND CONGRESS.-FIELDED SCORES OF LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY QUESTIONS AND INTERCEDED FOR MEMBER SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO RESOLVE PROBLEMS WITH VARIOUS FEDERAL AGENCIES.COMMUNICATIONSTHE 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 2021-22 THE COUNCIL -ISSUED MORE THAN A DOZEN PRESS RELEASES ON COUNCIL ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE COUNCIL AND THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE.-COORDINATED THE CGCS-BERNARD HARRIS MATH AND SCIENCE SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAM.-WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PUBLICIZE AND HIGHLIGHT BEST PRACTICES ON HOW COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICTS ARE UTILIZING AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN (ARP) FUNDS. -PARTNERED WITH 11 EDUCATION ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COALITION TO ADVANCE FUTURE STUDENT SUCCESS, AN EFFORT TO ENSURE ARP FUNDS ARE SPENT EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY. PARTICIPATED IN MEETINGS WITH THE ADVISORY GROUP TO CREATE THE NEWSLETTER AND WEBSITE AND MADE SURE EXAMPLES FROM COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICTS WERE INCLUDED. -COORDINATED A NATIONAL TOWN HALL MEETING ON "AMPLIFYING THE VOICE OF STUDENTS: FROM CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS TO CONCRETE ACTIONS," MODERATED BY AWARD-WINNING JOURNALIST RAY SUAREZ. -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 CHALKBEAT. -EMAILED EIGHT ISSUES OF THE COUNCIL'S AWARD-WINNING DIGITAL NEWSLETTER, THE URBAN EDUCATOR. -HOSTED A THREE-DAY VIRTUAL CONFERENCE FOR COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTORS IN COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICTS, FEATURING A SESSION WITH NATIONAL EDUCATION REPORTERS. -PUBLISHED THE ORGANIZATION'S ANNUAL REPORT, RECEIVING RECOGNITION FROM THE NATIONAL SCHOOL PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSOCIATION. -MANAGED THE ORGANIZATION'S BLUE RIBBON CORPORATE ADVISORY GROUP.-COORDINATED THE GREEN-GARNER AWARD CEREMONY, HONORING THE NATION'S TOP URBAN EDUCATOR. -WORKED WITH SCHOLASTIC TO PRESENT THE INAUGURAL WINNER OF THE RICHARD M. ROBINSON LITERACY CHAMPION AWARD, RECOGNIZING A COUNCIL MEMBER SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR DEMONSTRATING PROGRESS IN ADVANCING READING ACHIEVEMENT.RESEARCHTIMELY DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS ALLOW THE COUNCIL TO PREPARE COMPREHENSIVE REPORTS, PREDICT TRENDS, AND ASSESS VARIOUS REFORMS AND PRACTICES ON STUDENT PERFORMANCE. IN 2021-22, THE COUNCIL-COORDINATED BI-WEEKLY COVID-19 RESEARCH, EVALUATION, AND ASSESSMENT MEETINGS WITH MEMBER DISTRICTS TO DISCUSS DISTRICT NEEDS AND PLANS FOR RESPONDING TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.-COORDINATED MONTHLY COVID-19 EQUITY LEADER MEETINGS WITH MEMBER DISTRICTS TO DISCUSS THE SPECIFIC WORK OF EQUITY LEADERS IN DISTRICT OFFICERS AND STRATEGIES THEY USE TO EMBED EQUITY THROUGHOUT THE WORK OF DISTRICTS.-CONTINUED TO DEVELOP WWW.EDWIRES.ORG AS A TOOL TO COORDINATE DOCUMENT AND INFORMATION SHARING AMONG DISTRICT LEADERS ACROSS MEMBER DISTRICTS AS WELL AS TO HOST COMMUNITY FORUMS TO FACILITATE DISCUSSIONS AMONG COUNCIL ROLE-ALIKE STAFF FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND DISCOURSE. -ANALYZED NAEP, ACADEMIC KPI AND OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS DATA TO ASSESS THE PROGRESS OF YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN OF COLOR ACROSS COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICTS AND TO UNDERSTAND DISPROPORTIONALITY OF YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN OF COLOR. THE ANALYSIS WAS SHARED AT THE COUNCIL'S MALES OF COLOR TASK FORCE MEETING, MEETING OF THE BLACK AND LATINA YOUNG WOMEN AND GIRLS TASK FORCE, AND IN THE ANNUAL ACADEMIC KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS REPORT. THESE DATA ARE USED TO SUPPORT DISTRICT EFFORTS TO IMPROVE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL OUTCOMES FOR STUDENTS.

MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES-DUE TO THE ONGOING COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THE COUNCIL ONLY HELD FOUR IN-PERSON CONFERENCES (CIO, LEGISLATIVE/POLICY, CFO/HRD, AND BIRE CONFERENCES IN 2022) AND TWO VIRTUAL CONFERENCES (2021 PUBLIC RELATIONS EXECUTIVES CONFERENCE AND 2021 ANNUAL FALL CONFERENCE) IN FY21-22. THE VIRTUAL 65TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN OCTOBER 2021 FOCUSED ON CHALLENGES FACING THE NATION'S LARGEST URBAN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, WHILE THE IN-PERSON SPRING LEGISLATIVE/POLICY CONFERENCE IN MARCH 2022 FOCUSED ON GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND ISSUES CONCERNING FEDERAL SPENDING.