Advocacy & Public Partnerships FY21 Quarterly Business Review by Keya Wondwossen https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0 en-us 2021-04-19 21:33:09 UTC 2021-04-29 18:43:46 UTC hello@padlet.com Leveraging our data to inform and "pitch" ed leaders worked-- Is this something we want to consider related to specific topics/area of focus we want to discuss. I'm specifically thinking about our racial equity and ToC focus. How can we steer education with our Toc? https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474701156 2021-04-29 16:33:32 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474701156 Advocacy's pulse on district voice could play a role in policy (legislative) decision-making; which enhances the credibility of DonorsChoose (i.e: if we're elevating teacher voices and districts are championing our work, those conversations and that data could enhance policy decisions https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474702582 2021-04-29 16:33:49 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474702582 (not sure whether or not this is a good idea!) use the Sam Keppler study to be advocates for teacher-driven funding decisions (through DC and otherwise) and the impact they can have on students. https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474703520 2021-04-29 16:33:59 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474703520 Make visible what priority schools/teachers need to have impact (map outcomes to project resources) maya369 https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474703626 2021-04-29 16:34:01 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474703626 https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474706289 By positioning ourselves as a trusted partner, we may be able to influence policies beyond crowdfunding in the future

]]> 2021-04-29 16:34:33 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474706289 Not sure if Districts would like this - but could we do even more to. be a middle man between the teacher voice in a given district and the district leaders? We can share our existing data on requests, but could we package that alongside actual words from teachers and tell a stronger story? abby195 https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474708498 This also relates to the Sam Kepler study - how do we position ourselves as a platform that provides the voice of frontline educators?]]> 2021-04-29 16:34:57 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474708498 Listening to the audio of the superintendent illuminated for me the great unknowns that exist in the return to school this Fall. I agree that pursuing restrictive policies right now is likely not going to result in a drastic change. Admins aren't going to have the time to engage. (Julia) https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474708572 2021-04-29 16:34:58 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474708572 https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474709121 Helping districts understand the importance and value of teacher voice and agency, and encouraging leaders not to stifle the creativity of their teachers]]> 2021-04-29 16:35:05 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474709121 Question about slide 210 https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474711072 209 restrictive districts resolved--wow!  Roughly what proportion of that is further research revealing "oh, they're actually not so bad, let's change the classification of that district" and what proportion reflect persuading a district to modify/change their policy?  ]]> 2021-04-29 16:35:28 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474711072 https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474716754 being advocates for the richness of a student's experience and opportunity, and the power of a teacher to impact that.]]> 2021-04-29 16:36:31 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474716754 Get testimonials from districts that don't have those concerns, and use those as talking points - for starters. maya369 https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474717299 2021-04-29 16:36:37 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474717299 storytelling on why teachers turn to these options abby195 https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474718561 2021-04-29 16:36:51 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474718561 We can help surface front-line teacher ideas from other districts - basically facilitate the info sharing that may not happen naturally geoff71 https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474719473 2021-04-29 16:37:01 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474719473 We should consider what teachers are using us today (especially teachers in priority schools) - are a lot of them in restrictive districts v. target proactive districts? abby195 https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474727324 2021-04-29 16:38:27 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474727324 Provide guidance to teachers on how to request these resources when they need them christopher306 https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474730080 ...without putting any restrictions out there... just showing districts we offer teachers help here.

]]> 2021-04-29 16:38:58 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474730080 We can provide some more context on how *we* get comfortable with the risks, or maybe share some "fact or fiction" info about the impression of risk geoff71 https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474730911 2021-04-29 16:39:07 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474730911 Could we agree to show a friendly warning to teachers in their district when posting these sorts of projects reminding them of the district policy and concerns? (like we do for IT guidelines) https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474734603  - Oliver]]> 2021-04-29 16:39:47 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474734603 Learning what is on the mind of district administrators, and sharing those things with the managed giving and marketplace teams so we can come up with ideas for pitches / fundraising asks. katiebisbee https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474735109 2021-04-29 16:39:53 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474735109 could we provide districts with valuable info on what funders are looking to support in edu right now? abby195 https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474736134 2021-04-29 16:40:04 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474736134 Are there low lift ways to address restrictive schools that would be worth doing? (Nancy) https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474745915 2021-04-29 16:41:53 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474745915 do we prioritize our efforts to overturn restrictive districts by criteria like size, priority-schools, etc? tommy139 https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474748263 2021-04-29 16:42:18 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474748263 geoff71 https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474844905 That RFP situation is so interesting. Have we thought about an 'enhanced' DPP or set of tools we could sell for an extremely low nominal price ($99/year) that would in fact allow us to be a vendor (but a vendor only of those tools), and get into these state RFP systems? Normal DPP would be free, but maybe there'd be an enhanced set of tools like expanded options for tech guidelines, an enhanced dashboard, etc.

]]> 2021-04-29 17:00:00 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474844905 https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474894907 Pairing stronger guidance for teachers around Special Needs (and maybe one or two other areas with real risk) with advocating to districts why we need to remain flexible for teachers to request these things safely]]> 2021-04-29 17:08:50 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474894907 Further collaboration and ideation with partnerships-- since it sounds like funding has a way of alleviating some district concerns. Could be cool to get advocacy engaged in campaign planning/pitching https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474898352 2021-04-29 17:09:27 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474898352 Be more transparent about our integrity measures and recent improvements/changes (e.g., work that will come out of special needs project group, TPT card use monitoring, etc.) maya369 https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474898558 2021-04-29 17:09:30 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474898558 https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474898837 Sorry if we do this already, but could we pair making it easy for them to be notified of new projects in their district with a customer service "hotline" to submit concerns about a project? - Oliver]]> 2021-04-29 17:09:33 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474898837 could we create a slide or one-pager on how DonorsChoose vets projects - both when they're submitted and when we order the materials? I wonder if showing our rigor more explicitly would help ease these concerns upfront as well abby195 https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474900225 2021-04-29 17:09:49 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474900225 With special needs projects, educating our special needs teachers on WHY the districts have concerns about these projects. That may help teachers to avoid legal risks in their project descriptions. katiebisbee https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474900554 2021-04-29 17:09:53 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474900554 https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474901334 add different screening for special needs projects to remove student identifying info (like we do with TY notes) or adding messaging on the projects on the front-end to mitigate concerns]]> 2021-04-29 17:10:01 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474901334 https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474944391 Perhaps we could also do some simple keyword-matching things, eg. if we detect "IEP" in an essay we show the teacher a warning... - Oliver]]> 2021-04-29 17:18:04 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474944391 tommy139 https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474958637 this might be a complete no-go, but would we ever agree to allow some districts the ability to screen some types of projects by expanding our existing screening feature?]]> 2021-04-29 17:20:43 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1474958637 Are any of the restrictive district leaders big influencers across the education space? Does that make any of these districts important to focus on despite an overall move away from focusing on these districts? abby195 https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1475056232 2021-04-29 17:38:19 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1475056232 Do you know the average length of time it takes to secure a DPP member, based on our past work? katiebisbee https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1475058001 2021-04-29 17:38:38 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1475058001 slight twist on Julia's idea is to only engage a restrictive district if it's a top 100 district defined by # of priority schools within the district. https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1475060436 2021-04-29 17:39:05 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1475060436 risa9 https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1475060576 Inspired by Sam & Christi's rubric earlier, I could see us setting a *really* high bar for what makes a restrictive district worth investing time in - based on # of students served, number of teachers on DC, demographics, etc.]]> 2021-04-29 17:39:06 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1475060576 https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1475063350 I agree that COVID/reopening challenges are likely to dominate districts' attn into the Fall. So I agree with that argument to de-prioritize Restrictive. Unless there's a way to "not let a good crisis go to waste" and pitch a policy reversal as an urgent measure to let DC and our backers help meet critical COVID re-opening needs and support returning teachers  - Oliver ]]> 2021-04-29 17:39:36 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1475063350 Despite not focusing on a goal, maybe you could look for a few comms moments in the year to try to get the attention of restrictive districts/try to secure a call. Like, how do you use the new focus on proactive districts to drive restrictive district re-engagement without a lot of effort and just commit to the those bare bones investments? By sharing 3 times a year who has joined the DPP, stories of their wins, updates to our policies, for example. abby195 https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1475063626 2021-04-29 17:39:39 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1475063626 Can you set up tracking on how many activities (calls, emails in Salesforce, etc.) it takes to secure a DPP member vs. to overturn a restrictive district? The ROI of these six months may become pretty clear :) katiebisbee https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1475064826 2021-04-29 17:39:52 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1475064826 Terrible idea: Is there something supply-chain limited we could *only* offer to districts in DPP? Or package together to meet the COVID needs we start to hear about in the Fall? I know -- terrible for so many reasons! (Julia) https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1475065402 2021-04-29 17:39:58 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1475065402 Any sense of how the pandemic/return to schools will affect the behavior of districts? particularly whether we expect more districts to become restrictive post pandemic? (Steen) https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1475068197 2021-04-29 17:40:22 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1475068197 risa9 https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1475070129 It seems like you hit a turning point sometime this year when the pandemic was no longer all-consuming to districts. Curious to hear more about that, and whether you think it'll sustain, or there'll be another period of single-minded focus this fall ]]> 2021-04-29 17:40:42 UTC https://padlet.com/keya12/n66nbnwz5pfgidv0/wish/1475070129