Our Blog

19 Nov

2020 State of Education in Metro Atlanta

By Learn4Life Cradle to Career, Data, Partners in Education 0

Learn4Life has just released the 4th annual State of Education in Metro Atlanta report. Read about our region’s progress along six cradle-to-career indicators, and the innovative ways in which school districts and bright spots are providing students educational opportunities through the pandemic. You can also explore these indicators on L4L’s Data Dashboard. You can view L4L’s State of Education event here. Thank you to our panelists and presenters: Atlanta Regional Commission Clayton County Public Schools

09 Nov

Pandemic Makes Case for Early Childhood Education Even Clearer

By Hanah Goldberg, Ph.D. Cradle to Career, Partners in Education, Third-Grade Reading 2

Kindergarten readiness—one of Learn4Life’s six community indicators—is shaped by a range of factors, including access to high-quality child care. While gaps in access to Quality Rated child care programs were present across the metro region prior to the pandemic, COVID-19 has presented new challenges to the region’s families. This time has been especially challenging for parents of young children, as they’ve responded to the competing and shifting demands of the workplace, child care, and school.

25 Sep

The Factors Impacting Early Literacy during the COVID Pandemic

By Shafiqua Little, Ph.D. Third-Grade Reading 2

In order to improve early grade literacy during the pandemic, Learn4Life explored the root causes (or factors) that present unique challenges to our students during this time. The common theme was many supports, beyond just those in the classroom, are necessary to have in place for students to learn. Specifically, L4L’s most recent factor analysis found that the pandemic has had a profound impact on adult literacy, attendance, children’s mental health, early childhood education, food

05 Aug

L4L’s Data Dashboard

By admin Cradle to Career, Data 1

07 Jul

Metro Atlanta School Reopening Plans – ARC Panel Discussion

By Learn4Life Cradle to Career, Partners in Education 0

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on public education. From massive budget cuts to reopening schools for the 2020-21 school year, many questions abound. How will local public school systems handle this adversity? What are some of the other tactics being used around the region? Join L4L’s Dr. Ken Zeff and L4L Leadership Council members Dr. Morcease Beasley and Dr. Pamela Whitten as they discuss implications for metro Atlanta k-12 districts and higher

16 Jun

Learning Loss in Metro Atlanta: COVID-19 Reverses Years of Progress

By Learn4Life Cradle to Career, Partners in Education 0

In 2019-20, metro Atlanta students lost nine weeks of regular instruction due to the COVID-mandated quick transition to distance learning in mid-March. Based on local and national data, if students had taken the Milestone assessments in spring 2020, the percentage of students demonstrating proficiency would be expected to drop 3.6 points in English language arts and 4.9 points in math as compared to last year. Two specific proficiency measures tracked by Learn4Life which are highly

08 Jun

Black Lives Matter

By Ken Zeff Cradle to Career, Partners in Education 0

Days after our schools closed for summer break, our country was rocked by a series of events that highlight the lingering racial tensions and injustices that Black people face. Over the last two weeks, we have been inspired by the voices of protest from every corner of our region. Learn4Life stands with our Black students and their families. In metro Atlanta, there is a profound deficit of opportunity available to Black students. We understand that

07 Apr

During this crisis, double down on your mission

By Rebecca Parshall Cradle to Career, Partners in Education 4

During this challenging season, we are heartened—but not at all surprised—to see metro Atlanta’s educational organizations quickly rise to the new demands of supporting young children and students through COVID-19. In the spirit of uplifting best practices, here are some lessons from our region’s bright spots… 1. Develop your crisis response while holding a copy of your mission statement Your organization’s vision mattered before this crisis, and it still matters now. With so many child-care,

18 Mar

L4L’s Response to COVID-19

By Ken Zeff Cradle to Career, Partners in Education 1

Friends of Learn4Life, As you know, L4L’s mission is to lift up student success throughout metro Atlanta. During these challenging times, relationships are essential so we will continue to build connections across sectors by highlighting and lifting up proven practices that support our students. While L4L’s strategy keeps us focused on the horizon, in the short-term all meetings will be virtual. This includes the 3rd Grade Literacy Network meeting on April 14. We will send

19 Dec

Build your best team: prioritize critical friends, not just colleagues

By Leslie Hazle Bussey, Ph.D. Partners in Education 2

Are you seeking ways to push your work to the next level in 2020? Building a “Core Team” of critical friends from other organizations may be the answer. Core Team is Learn4Life’s Secret Sauce. What makes L4L’s collective impact effort different? Rather than build a large staff, L4L leverages a little known volunteer corps known as Core Team as an advisory group to drive the work of each Change Action Network and convening. Comprised of

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