December Conference with the U.S. DoE: Presenting "Funding Meets the NJ Shore"

We were honored to attend the recent 2024 US Department of Education's Project Directors Meeting, which brought together educational leaders and evaluators from across the nation to share strategies, resources, and successes in tackling systemic challenges in education. The conference highlighted innovative approaches to resource allocation, community engagement, and fostering diversity in schools, offering invaluable insights for all attendees.

As part of the event, we presented our workshop, "Funding Meets the NJ Shore: Building Bridges from the Boardwalk," which spotlighted our collaborative work with the New Jersey School Consortium (NJSC). Our session was structured to be both informative and interactive, with activities such as:

• The Resource Braiding Map: Participants explored how to integrate local, state, federal, and private funding streams.

• The Funding Boardwalk Stroll: Attendees brainstormed creative approaches to sustain initiatives, engage community stakeholders, and generate innovative revenue streams.

Key Insights

1. Leveraging Human Capital: We emphasized professional pathways for paraprofessionals and teachers, particularly those who reflect the diversity of their student populations.

2. Equity-Focused Funding: Examples included district collaborations for STEM facilities and teacher training centers that prioritize underrepresented groups.

3. Community and Partner Engagement: From engaging non-traditional allies to storytelling with data, we highlighted methods to align resources with student needs.

Through mini case studies, such as Bogota’s Teacher Training Center and Belleville’s shared STEM facility, we demonstrated the power of cross-district collaboration to address challenges like teacher shortages and underrepresentation in education.

Attendees appreciated the hands-on approach, leaving with practical tools to braid funding, sustain programs, and foster equity-focused partnerships. Feedback highlighted the relevance of these strategies in addressing the unique needs of diverse student populations.

Our workshop underscored the potential of collective action in creating inclusive educational systems. The Consortium is grateful to the conference organizers for this opportunity to share our work and are committed to continuing these vital conversations with educators nationwide.