COUNCIL OF THE GREAT CITY SCHOOLS

MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES -THE COUNCIL HELD NINE IN-PERSON CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS IN FY24-25. THE TWO LARGEST CONFERENCES WERE THE ANNUAL FALL CONFERENCE AND THE SPRING LEGISLATIVE/POLICY CONFERENCE. THE ANNUAL FALL CONFERENCE WAS HELD ON OCTOBER 16-20, 2024, IN DALLAS, TX AND WAS ATTENDED BY SOME 1,000 BIG-CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, SENIOR ADMINISTRATORS, AND DEANS OF COLLEGES OF EDUCATION.CONTINUED ON PAGE 45HOSTED BY THE DALLAS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE FIVE-DAY CONFERENCE WAS HELD IN DALLAS UNDER THE BANNER "LEADING INNOVATION AND TRANSFORMATION." IN A TOWN HALL MEETING MODERATED BY CHUCK TODD, NBC'S CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST, TEN STUDENTS FROM URBAN SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY DISCUSSED PRESSING ISSUES SUCH AS REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS, THE ECONOMY, IMMIGRATION, GROWING RACIAL AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY, AND GUN VIOLENCE. AS A KEYNOTE SPEAKER, MR. TODD SAID THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IN THE NATION'S INFORMATION ECOSYSTEM IS THE DECLINE OF LOCAL NEWS COVERAGE AN THE TENDENCY TO NATIONALIZE LOCAL ISSUES, WHICH LEADS TO POLARIZATION.IN HER KEYNOTE ADDRESS, BESTSELLING AUTHOR ISABEL WILKERSON HIGHLIGHTED HER OWN BACKGROUND AS A GRADUATE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND PROUDLY SAID THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO WIN A PULITZER PRIZE IN JOURNALISM CAME OUT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS. SHE TOLD CONFEREES THAT IN EVERYTHING SHE DOES, SHE THINKS ABOUT HER ANCESTORS WHO SURVIVED THE MIDDLE PASSAGE AND ENDURED THE UNIMAGINABLE HORRORS OF SLAVERY SO THAT AMERICA COULD EXIST.ALSO ADDRESSING THE CONFERENCE WAS SCIENCE PIONEER KATYA ECHAZARRETA, THE FIRST MEXICAN-BORN WOMAN TO TRAVEL TO SPACE SAID HER EXPERIENCE SHOWS WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN EDUCATORS INVEST IN THEIR STUDENTS AND SPEND THE TIME REQUIRED TO GET THEM UP TO PAR, "INSTEAD OF JUST PUSHING THEM ASIDE AND HOPING EVERYTHING IS GOING TO TURN OUT OKAY FOR THEM."IN ADDITION, URBAN SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS, ADMINISTRATORS, BOARD MEMBERS, AND DEANS OF COLLEGES OF EDUCATION ASSEMBLED IN WASHINGTON, D.C. FOR THE COUNCIL'S ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE/POLICY CONFERENCE ON MARCH 22-25, 2025 TO DISCUSS THE EDUCATION PRIORITIES OF THE NEW CONGRESS. CONFEREES HEARD FROM CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT MANU RAJU WHO OFFERED SOUND ADVICE TO EDUCATORS: PRESS YOUR CASE FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION TO BOTH CONGRESS AND MEMBERS AND TO LOCAL JOURNALISTS. ANOTHER SPEAKER, POLITICAL COMMENTATOR TARA SETMAYER CALLED HERSELF A PROUD PRODUCT OF NEW JERSEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND CRITICIZED EFFORTS TO DISMANTLE THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, CALLING SUCH ACTIONS TO BE A DIRECT THREAT TO THE FUTURE OF STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND THE NATION'S ECONOMIC AND DEMOCRATIC STABILITY. IN LIGHT OF ONGOING ATTACKS ON PUBLIC EDUCATION, SHE ENCOURAGED EDUCATORS TO REMAIN RESILIENT, TO ADVOCATE FIERCELY FOR THEIR STUDENTS, AND TO REFUSE TO LET MISINFORMATION DICTATE WHAT HAPPENS IN THEIR CLASSROOMS.CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY AND FORMER U.S. COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE DAVID TATEL DISCUSSED HOW THE CURRENT PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION'S ATTEMPTS TO USE CIVIL RIGHTS LAW AGAINST PROTECTED GROUPS PRESENT VULNERABILITIES FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS. ALSO ADDRESSING THE CONFERENCE WAS JOSH COWEN, PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION POLICY AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY. HE WARNED CONFEREES ABOUT THE AGGRESSIVE EXPANSION OF SCHOOL VOUCHERS OCCURRING ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND URGED LEADERS TO CALL THEM WHAT THEY ARE: A DELIBERATE EFFORT TO DEFUND PUBLIC SCHOOLS. INSTEAD FOR VOUCHERS, COWEN ADVOCATED FOR INVESTMENTS IN PROVEN STRATEGIES SUCH AS TEACHER TRAINING, UNIVERSAL PRE-K, SCHOOL MEALS, AND TUTORING PROGRAMS.OTHER JOB-ALIKE MEETINGS WERE HELD BY THE ORGANIZATION DURING FY24-25. THESE SESSIONS INCLUDED MEETINGS OF THE ORGANIZATION'S: PUBLIC RELATIONS EXECUTIVES; CURRICULUM, RESEARCH AND INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERS; CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERS; CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCE OFFICERS; CHIEF OPERATING OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF FACILITIES, CHILD NUTRITION, SAFETY & SECURITY, AND TRANSPORTATION; BILINGUAL, IMMIGRANT/REFUGEE EDUCATION DIRECTORS; AND CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICERS.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP SERVICES THIS 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 DISTRICT STAFF TO PEERS AND SUPPORT DURING THE YEAR.CONTINUED ON PAGE 46LEGISLATION--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 2024-25, THE COUNCIL-- - SUCCESSFULLY LOBBIED AGAINST FEDERAL EDUCATION FUNDING CUTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, WITHSTANDING THREATS THAT INCLUDED STRICT BUDGET SPENDING CAPS AND A HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS PROPOSAL TO CUT TITLE I BY 25% AND ELIMINATE FUNDING FOR TEACHER EFFECTIVENESS AND ENGLISH LEARNER PROGRAMS. - ADVOCATED FOR THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF OVER $6 BILLION IN FEDERAL EDUCATION FUNDING THAT THE WHITE HOUSE AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WITHHELD FROM STATES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS PRIOR TO THE START OF THE 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR. - PROVIDED DETAILED BRIEFINGS TO CGCS SCHOOL BOARDS, SUPERINTENDENTS, AND OTHER SENIOR DISTRICT OFFICIALS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE NOVEMBER 2024 ELECTIONS ON THE EDUCATION PRIORITIES OF THE INCOMING ADMINISTRATION AND THE POTENTIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR FEDERAL FUNDING, MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENTS, PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHER PROPOSALS, AND IMMIGRATION ACTION AT SCHOOL LOCATIONS. - COMPILED AND DRAFTED RESOURCES FOR COUNCIL MEMBER LEGAL DEPARTMENTS ON RESPONDING TO REQUESTS BY U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (ICE) TO ACCESS SCHOOL GROUNDS AND ICE ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY AT SCHOOLS. - ESTABLISHED A WORKING GROUP OF GENERAL COUNSELS TO DEVELOP A LEGAL RISK ASSESSMENT MATRIX TO BE USED BY COUNCIL MEMBER LEGAL DEPARTMENTS IN EVALUATING TITLE VI PROGRAMS. - BRIEFED MEMBER DISTRICT CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICERS ON THE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION'S CYBERSECURITY PILOT PROGRAM FOR K-12 SCHOOLS. SUBMITTED COMMENTS TO THE CYBERSECURITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY AGENCY TO STRENGTHEN REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND HELP SCHOOL DISTRICTS ADDRESS GROWING CYBERSECURITY NEEDS. - FILED AN AMICUS BRIEF IN THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT OF COLORADO CASE DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS V. NOEM, ASSERTING THAT IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (ICE) ACTIVITIES SHOULD NOT OCCUR IN "PROTECTED AREAS LIKE SCHOOLS.- JOINED AMICUS BRIEFS FILED IN IN THE U.S. SUPREME COURT CASES: OKLAHOMA STATEWIDE CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD V. DRUMMOND (RELIGIOUS CHARTER SCHOOLS); A.J.T. V. OSSEO AREA SCHOOLS, INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 279 (STANDARD FOR SECTION 504 DISCRIMINATION); FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION V. CONSUMERS' RESEARCH (E-RATE FUNDING); AND MAHMOUD V. TAYLOR (CURRICULUM OPT-OUTS ON RELIGIOUS GROUNDS). - PROVIDED REGULAR UPDATES TO COUNCIL MEMBER LEGAL DEPARTMENTS ON U.S. SUPREME COURT AND FEDERAL COURT CASES AFFECTING EDUCATION. - PROVIDED UPDATES TO COUNCIL MEMBER LEGAL DEPARTMENTS, FEDERAL PROGRAM DIRECTORS, AND OTHER DISTRICT LEADERS ON NEW GUIDANCE, INTERPRETATIONS, AND COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS ISSUED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENTS OF EDUCATION, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, HOMELAND SECURITY, AND JUSTICE, AS WELL AS VARIOUS WHITE HOUSE EXECUTIVE ORDERS AFFECTING EDUCATION. - CO-HOSTED LEGAL WEBINARS FOR COUNCIL DISTRICTS WITH THE LAW FIRM HUSCH BLACKWELL ON THE IMPACT OF FEDERAL IMMIGRATION POLICY SHIFTS ON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER ON RACE IN EDUCATION. - CONSULTED WITH EXPERTS IN THE D.C. LEGAL COMMUNITY TO EXPLORE OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICTS REGARDING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S WITHHOLDING OF FEDERAL TITLE FUNDS, CANCELLATION OF GRANT FUNDS, AND REVOCATION OF WAIVERS EXTENDING FUNDS LIQUIDATION. - INITIATED MULTIPLE DISCUSSIONS AND FIELDED DOZENS OF QUESTIONS FROM MEMBER DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENTS, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERS, FEDERAL PROGRAM DIRECTORS, AND OTHER LEADERS REGARDING THE FEDERAL COVID RELIEF FUNDING DEADLINE IN SEPTEMBER 2024, ADDRESSING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ON-TIME OBLIGATION OF FUNDS AND SHARING INFORMATION ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR EXTENSIONS OF THE LIQUIDATION PERIOD. - CONVENED THE COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICT GENERAL COUNSELS FOR A PRE-MEETING BEFORE THE 2024 ANNUAL FALL CONFERENCE IN DALLAS, TX, ADDRESSING TOPICS SUCH AS THE OCTOBER 2023 AND 2024 SUPREME COURT TERMS AND THEIR POTENTIAL IMPACT ON PUBLIC EDUCATION, SOCIAL MEDIA LITIGATION, THE FISCAL IMPACT AND THE SEGREGATIVE EFFECT OF CHARTER SCHOOLS, THE OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS' "VOLUNTARY" RESOLUTION AGREEMENT PROCESS, SEXUAL ABUSE NEGLIGENCE CLAIMS AGAINST SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND OTHER LEGAL ISSUES. - HOSTED THE 2025 ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE/POLICY CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON, D.C., WITH REMARKS FROM CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT MANU RAJU AND LEGISLATIVE BRIEFINGS AND Q&A SESSIONS WITH STAFF FROM CONGRESS AND EDUCATION POLICY AND POLITICAL MESSAGING EXPERTS. - HELD MONTHLY MEETINGS WITH GENERAL COUNSELS AND SPECIAL EDUCATION LEGAL COUNSELS TO PROVIDE UPDATES ON PENDING FEDERAL AND STATE EDUCATION LITIGATION, DISCUSS COMMON ISSUES OF CONCERN, AND DISSEMINATE NEW FEDERAL REGULATIONS AND GUIDANCE.- CONVENED REGULAR MEETINGS WITH THE COUNCIL MEMBERS' GOVERNMENT RELATIONS DIRECTORS TO PROVIDE UPDATES ON CONGRESSIONAL ACTION AND SENT MULTIPLE ALERTS REGARDING THE NEED FOR DISTRICT OUTREACH TO CAPITOL HILL REGARDING EDUCATION FUNDING, BUDGET RECONCILIATION, AND OTHER LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS.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 2024-25 THE COUNCIL - ISSUED MORE THAN A DOZEN PRESS RELEASES ON COUNCIL ACTIVITIES, AS WELL AS STATEMENTS ON CRITICAL CURRENT EVENTS IMPACTING THE LIVES OF URBAN SCHOOLCHILDREN. - FIELDED SCORES OF INQUIRIES FROM NATIONAL AND REGIONAL MEDIA OUTLETS SUCH AS EDUCATION WEEK, THE NEW YORK TIMES, THE WASHINGTON POST, THE 74, THE BALTIMORE SUN, AND THE LOUISVILLE COURIER JOURNAL. - RELEASED THE LEADERSHIP TRANSITION GUIDE, A PUBLICATION THAT HIGHLIGHTS BEST PRACTICES AND LESSONS FROM SCHOOL COMMUNICATION DIRECTORS ON MANAGING CHANGES IN DISTRICT LEADERSHIP. THE PUBLICATION RECEIVED THE TOP AWARD FROM THE NATIONAL SCHOOL PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSOCIATION. - ORGANIZED A SESSION AT THE SXSW EDU CONFERENCE IN AUSTIN ON WHY HIGH STANDARDS ARE A KEY TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS, MODERATED BY COUNCIL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RAY HART. - HOSTED THE 68TH ANNUAL FALL CONFERENCE, FEATURING POLITICAL ANALYST CHUCK TODD, SCIENCE PIONEER KATYA ECHAZARRETA, AND BEST-SELLING AUTHOR ISABEL WILKERSON AS KEYNOTE SPEAKERS AND A NATIONAL TOWN HALL MEETING WITH AN ALL-STUDENT PANEL. - EMAILED EIGHT ISSUES OF THE COUNCIL'S AWARD-WINNING DIGITAL NEWSLETTER, THE URBAN EDUCATOR. COORDINATED THE CGCS MATH AND SCIENCE SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAM AND THE DR. MICHAEL CASSERLY LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP FOR EDUCATIONAL COURAGE AND JUSTICE. - HOSTED THE 24TH ANNUAL PUBLIC RELATIONS EXECUTIVES MEETING IN WASHINGTON, DC. - COORDINATED THE GREEN-GARNER AWARD CEREMONY, HONORING THE NATION'S TOP URBAN EDUCATOR. - WORKED WITH SCHOLASTIC TO PRESENT THE WINNER OF THE RICHARD M. ROBINSON LITERACY CHAMPION AWARD, RECOGNIZING A COUNCIL MEMBER SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR PROGRESS IN ADVANCING READING ACHIEVEMENT. - ORGANIZED A VIRTUAL EVENT ON THE RESULTS OF THE 2024 NATION'S REPORT CARD SPONSORED BY THE COUNCIL, COUNCIL OF CHIEF STATE SCHOOL OFFICERS, AND THE NATIONAL GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION.RESEARCHTIMELY DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS ALLOW THE COUNCIL TO PREPARE COMPREHENSIVE REPORTS, PREDICT TRENDS, AND ASSESS VARIOUS REFORMS AND PRACTICES ON STUDENT PERFORMANCE. IN 2024-25, THE COUNCIL- CONVENED MONTHLY RESEARCH, EVALUATION, AND ASSESSMENT MEETINGS WITH MEMBER DISTRICTS TO ADDRESS DISTRICT NEEDS, SHARE BEST PRACTICES IN URBAN EDUCATION RESEARCH, AND SUPPORT CONTINUED RECOVERY FROM THE PANDEMIC AND EFFORTS TO CLOSE PERFORMANCE GAPS. - CONVENED QUARTERLY CHIEF PERFORMANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICER MEETINGS TO ADDRESS DISTRICT NEEDS AND CHALLENGES, WHILE BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE TO ADVANCE THE STRATEGIC USE OF DATA IN URBAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS. - CONVENED REGULAR ASSESSMENT CONSORTIUM MEETINGS WITH MEMBER DISTRICTS USING NWEA, CURRICULUM ASSOCIATES, AND RENAISSANCE ASSESSMENTS, CREATING A FORUM TO SHARE DATA, BEST PRACTICES, AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES AND CHALLENGES. - SUPPORTED MEMBER DISTRICTS DURING THE RELEASE OF THE 2024 NAEP RESULTS BY PROVIDING KEY DATA POINTS AND TREND ANALYSES TO INFORM LOCAL COMMUNICATIONS. PROVIDED ONSITE ASSISTANCE DURING THE NCES PRE-RELEASE WORKSHOP AND ONGOING SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE RELEASE PERIOD.