Every child deserves a quality education. Her future – and ours – depends on it.
Fenton’s work in education focuses on closing the achievement gap. We advocate for reforms and innovations inside and outside the classroom that prepare young people to succeed in today’s knowledge-based economy.
Lifting the Veil on Teacher Salaries
The Challenge: How much teachers are paid has a big influence on the quality of teachers a school can attract. But in California, teacher salaries are masked by the state’s accounting methods, which only required reporting on average salaries at the district level – leaving inequities at the school level hidden. That’s why The Education-Trust West conducted its own investigation into the unequal distribution of funding for California’s public schools.
Making Recess Count with Playworks
The Challenge: For many principals and teachers, recess has become the toughest part of the day, the flashpoint for playground fights and referrals. Some schools have eliminated recess altogether. But a growing body of research shows play is essential for kids’ development. Playworks is pioneering a program where trained coaches lead structured playtime across America. But it wanted more education leaders to catch onto the idea that playground activities could have a positive spill-over effect in the classroom.
