Early Returns: First Results from the New Wave of Public Funding of Private Schooling

States across the US are rapidly expanding private school choice programs, with North Carolina committing $248 million for voucher waitlists and several states, including Alabama and Louisiana, planning new or expanded programs for 2025-26. This report from FutureEd reviews the significant growth of school choice programs over the past three years, with insights on the scope of these programs and participation by race, income, and grade level. Will school choice programs result in better educated students?

Additional Research & Resources:

• Does Your School Keep Its Promises?, ExploElevate

• How to Conduct Terrible Employee Evaluations: Your 5-Step Plan on What Not to Do, FisherPhillips



• Selecting Your School’s Legal Counsel: Finding the Right Fit, ISM

• Tuition Resets 101: An Essential Overview for Independent Schools, MoonshotOS

Raising Connected Kids: The Secret Sauce for Success

Support networks provide children with vital "social capital"—practical help developing from caring relationships. Dr. Tyler Thigpen from The Forest Schools shares how schools can help students build three types of relationships to bridge gaps in opportunity, achievement, and social mobility. Bonding relationships are built with those like yourself, bridging relationships are with those different from you, and linking relationships are with others in positions of power. These diverse connections are key to expanding opportunities and fostering achievement.

Additional Research & Resources:

• AI Predators: What Schools Should Know and Do, Tech & Learning

• How Education Leaders Can Revive Teacher Engagement, Gallup



• How to Make Others Feel Like They Matter, Simon Sinek

• National Survey Finds School Safety Impacts Student Achievement, Classroom Instructional Time, and Educator Retention, Centegix

The 10 Most Significant Education Studies of 2024

This roundup from Edutopia reviews the year's top educational research findings. Learn more about the studies that showed how AI chatbots dramatically improved students' immediate math performance but inhibited long-term learning; nature journaling activities that improved cognitive skills, reduced stress, and enhanced emotional connections; and how students showed increased brain activity and better learning outcomes, despite higher anxiety levels, when teaching peers.

Additional Research & Resources:

• 15 Times to Use AI, and 5 Not To, One Useful Thing

• The Importance of Purpose-Based Learning in K-12 Education, Getting Smart

• Tool: Community Asset Map, Learner-Centered Collaborative

• What Happens When 'Play' Is Left Out of the School Curriculum, EdSurge

Planning for the 2025-2026 Enrollment Season: Key Updates to Independent Schools' Enrollment Contracts

When reviewing enrollment contracts, Venable reminds schools of several key issues to be addressed, including specific withdrawal and cancellation terms and consequences for nonpayment of tuition. While many schools have added parental cooperation clauses, they should clearly outline prohibited behaviors and potential consequences. Finally, to ensure contract enforceability, schools should strive to obtain signatures from both parents while including provisions that address various custody and financial responsibility scenarios.

Additional Research & Resources:

• Beyond Year-End Fundraising: Keep Asking, NonProfitPRO

• Great Messaging Needs Great Data, English Marketing Works

• The Secret Weapon for Year-End Fundraising, Gail Perry Group

• Why Your School’s Brand Matters More Than Ever, MoonshotOS

DEI Institute

February 12-13, 2025, Charlotte, NC

The SAIS DEI Institute brings together those doing the work of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in independent schools. Sessions will offer best practices and strategic discussions for experienced practitioners and educators supporting this work, with keynotes focused on elevating your impact as an individual contributor to this work in our schools.

During this two-day conference, day one will focus time on personal growth and development as a DEIB professional. Day two extends the conversation as attendees consider how best to support their schools’ mission, vision, and values.

Upcoming Webinars:

• Streamlining Your Curriculum Through the Storyboarding Approach: January 8, 12:00-1:00 PM EST

• Leading the Future of Independent Schools - Insights for Aspiring Leaders: January 16, 12:00-1:00 PM EST

• Practical Strategies for Accelerating Your Annual Fund With AI: January 28, 12:00-1:00 PM EST

• Trustee Education Series: Legal Landscape & Hot Topics: February 4, 5:00-6:00 PM EST

• Rethinking Middle Level Leadership Development: February 6, 12:00-1:00 PM EST

• Strategies for Recruiting and Retaining Teachers of Color in Independent Schools: February 18, 12:00-1:00 PM EST