Tomorrow is Today

It has been an unquestionably and historically difficult year. Home foreclosures, mass layoffs and the fall of seemingly invincible corporations have, at times, made the country’s situation seem hopelessly dire. Rising unemployment, a growing national deficit and increasing cost of living added to a dismal outlook.

Education has not been immune from the recession’s effects. The economic crisis left its mark through budget shortfalls, program cutbacks and education’s share of job losses. School leaders have had to trim where they can, choosing first the cuts that would have the least impact on students, and then moving to teacher layoffs, smaller bus fleets and increased class sizes, among other things. Economic crises have a domino effect, eventually disrupting multiple facets of the public’s lives.

Throughout this paper, we’ll explore the foundation for education’s successful future by outlining the appropriate steps with a model for sustainable education. Additionally, we will explore four key areas for reshaping our educational system in response to this crisis and in preparation or a bright future: instructional methods, campus operations, workforce development and infrastructure — exploring schools that have implemented initiatives in these areas and made them work.