Braid state, federal, and grant funds through a needs-based planning approach to address multiple educator workforce priority areas¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The brief's core strategy is fiscal braiding: education leaders 'coordinate, or braid, state funds, federal funds, and specialized grants' so districts can 'invest in strategies that address multiple priority areas.' Braiding starts with a needs-based planning approach (Figure 1): identify student and staff needs to determine priority areas, select a combination of strategies addressing multiple areas, then coordinate fiscal resources to fund implementation. Leaders are told to check how local priority areas overlap and align with each funding source's intent.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Start planning from identified local student and staff needs rather than from available funds
• Select strategies that address multiple priority areas simultaneously
• Align uses with the intent of each funding source and with local data on areas of need

Constraints¶

• The examples offered are explicitly 'not an exhaustive list but are offered as a guide'

Target Learners¶

• Educators and district staff in California local education agencies

Target Learning Goals¶

• Building an effective, diverse educator workforce that fosters an equitable, high-quality learning environment

Related Strategies¶

• Use Teacher Residency Grant Program funds, braided with other sources, to recruit and retain a diverse teaching workforce
• Expand transitional kindergarten and preschool by braiding UPK funds with hiring, culturally responsive curriculum, and community college partnerships

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Region 15 Comprehensive Center at WestEd. (2022). Braiding Funds to Support an Effective and Diverse Educator Workforce. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED633297