Put kids, parents and school staff ahead in education discussions. Set the politics aside

• Shani Dowell is the founder and CEO of Possip, an engagement platform that empowers organizations in impactful areas like schools, human services, and civic departments.

We all need a summer break. Let's use the time to reflect on what went well this year and look forward to the next.

As we do, let's commit to making things easier for schools, teachers, and parents next year by staying focused on what’s important: our kids.

Prioritize goals over politics

Education has always been political; now, it's both politicized and weaponized. Teaching fundamental skills is hard work, made harder by political conflicts.

When issues arise, focus on what we want to achieve for the kids, families, and staff, not on rebuttal statements, zingers, or even whether you are right.

Social media can amplify outrage in minutes, but schools are filled with developing humans. Keep actions and words centered on students' and families' best interests, come with curiosity, and operate gracefully.

Focus on what it takes to create great schools where students and educators want to be and feel safe, and address the big issues of significant attendance declines, student learning, student belonging, and staffing shortages.

Consider the pace of legislative and policy change

The pace of change of federal, state, and local legislation can overwhelm students, teachers, parents and PK-16 institutions. As we can see in the new FAFSA forms and multiple education policies and initiatives in different states or localities, changes in rules have a ripple effect.

We urgently want - and need to see - improvements and positive change in our educational systems and opportunities. So I’m not proposing stagnation or limited changes. However, listening to and engaging with families, students, and teachers and administrators before implementing sweeping changes and reforms is important.

With limited resources, entrepreneurs often test a concept, get feedback, and test it again before scaling. Our policy and legislative practices could benefit from a similar concept of more small-scale testing of ideas, listening to feedback, and making changes prior to scaling.

Make policy and legislative changes thoughtful, student- and school-centered, well-planned and well-communicated.

Parents: support teachers and principals

School staff turnover rates have surged due to teacher burnout and safety concerns. National teacher turnover increased to 10% by the end of the 2021-2022 school year, and principal turnover reached 16% in the 2022-2023 school year. Schools serving high-poverty students saw a 29% teacher loss between October 2022 and October 2023.

We need the best people working with our kids. Words can be powerful tools for good or bad. Supporting teachers means celebrating successes, articulating needs, and graciously providing constructive feedback. Invite teachers to share their voices so they can shape their teaching environment.

Support schools with time, talent, or funds. Many great education organizations—local schools, convening organizations, or local education nonprofits—can all use your help. Principals and school staff shoulder great responsibilities, so they should receive love and support for their efforts.

Administrators: remember the power of parents

Parents are (typically) a child’s first teacher and greatest advocate. The pandemic reminded everyone of this. Schools had to engage families and consider their important role in students' learning and opportunities.

With the height of the pandemic in the rearview, family engagement efforts are waning. Given the politicization of parents in education, that's understandable. However, we can’t let outspoken critics hinder real engagement with families.

Creating and sustaining great schools requires effort from everyone, especially families. Engage families proactively so we can make lives easier and schools better.

Next school year, let’s make it easier for everyone by staying focused - not on ourselves but our community’s kids.

Shani Dowell is the founder and CEO of Possip, an engagement platform that empowers organizations in impactful areas like schools, human services, and civic departments.