Educators often treat school culture and climate as interchangeable terms; however, they are distinct concepts. As noted in this month’s Director’s Desk article, it is the culture – the set of shared values, beliefs, and traditions – that influences people’s attitudes [...]

"Usus est magister optimus." The literal translation is “Use is the best master,” or in modern parlance, “Practice makes perfect.” As noted in the July Equity Exchange newsletter article examining Summer Learning Loss, “most teachers and coaches emphasize approximations of perfection. [...]

Director’s Desk As school summer breaks come to a close, in this month’s Equity Express, we’re turning our attention to the interconnected challenges of school climate, especially chronic absenteeism, culture, and equity. Setting expectations at the start of a school year [...]

What happens to children’s academic skills over summer break? Research shows that many students lose ground, an effect known as the 'summer slide.' Several studies conducted in the 1970s and 1980s appeared to show that children suffered significant learning losses [...]

Each year, the Annie E. Casey Foundation compiles its Kids Count Data Book from trusted data sources to help parents, educators, and policymakers understand where children across the United States are thriving—and where they need more support (see Appendix: Definitions [...]

The July Equity Exchange newsletter focuses on summer learning and the work that takes place during summer months to prepare for successful “Day One” school openings. This month, we also examine the 2025 Kids Count report and what the newest [...]