How will we use the stimulus money in education?

That is a question on everyone’s mind right now. From the buzz out there, it sounds like this is the collective hope: we will use the stimulus money to prepare students for the 21st Century, prepare a better workforce, add career pathways, increase student achievement, reach/maintain AYP and/or XYZ state accountability, address needs of special populations including students identified as needing special services, gifted and talented, second language learners and at-risk students, decrease our drop-out rates, help us implement response to intervention, update instructional technology, build capacity for teacher leaders, implement PLCs, work on the work, increase math and science scores, make sure all students are literate, and grease whatever additional wheels are squeaking.

How will we make those decisions?

I think this is our collective fear: we will make the decisions about how to spend the money the same way that we are feeling forced to make the decisions about what to “cut” in times of shortfall, and we will get the same results: piecemeal reform, waning public confidence, new initiatives that are misunderstood and not sustainable, and more piled on the plate of already overwhelmed teachers and administrators.

And, behind door number three…

Or, maybe we could make the decision to create our own future in each individual community by making sure that the conditions within which we are operating are not mistaken for the causes and that we truly plan strategically rather than projecting (see post “Notions” from March 20th below). I hope we do make that decision as educators because we have a wonderful opportunity right now to capitalize on the urgency of an unstable economy, the promise of stimulus funds, and the collective genius of our concerned communities to focus all resources on transforming the ailing system and liberate our educators and students to create a future they choose!

Shannon Buerk
Cambridge Senior Strategist