Carrie Hahnel
@carriehahnel.bsky.social
Senior Associate Partner at Bellwether, fellow at Policy Analysis for California Education, board member at Create CA. Striving to improve education equity. +swimmer, runner, mom, proud Californian. Views my own.
I spoke with Tarina Mehta about how property values continue to drive education funding inequalities in California, creating sharp disparities in teacher labor markets in some regions like Napa, Marin, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, and San Diego. www.pressdemocrat.com/2025/10/23/s...
How this small Napa County district pays teachers $50,000 more than its neighbors — and why the gap keeps growing
A new study shows California’s funding system lets wealthy “basic aid” districts like St. Helena Unified outspend neighbors such as Napa Valley Unified by tens of thousands per student, widening pa…
www.pressdemocrat.com
October 24, 2025 at 4:47 PM
I spoke with Tarina Mehta about how property values continue to drive education funding inequalities in California, creating sharp disparities in teacher labor markets in some regions like Napa, Marin, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, and San Diego. www.pressdemocrat.com/2025/10/23/s...
Nice to see a district engaging the community on how to reuse vacant school sites after downsizing due to enrollment declines. San Antonio ISD says the goal is to “transform these underutilized spaces into productive assets that benefit surrounding neighborhoods.” www.expressnews.com/news/educati...
SAISD seeking proposals to repurpose closed school buildings, campuses
Applicants have until Oct. 17 to submit ideas for new functions at district properties.
www.expressnews.com
October 10, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Nice to see a district engaging the community on how to reuse vacant school sites after downsizing due to enrollment declines. San Antonio ISD says the goal is to “transform these underutilized spaces into productive assets that benefit surrounding neighborhoods.” www.expressnews.com/news/educati...
I'm pleased to share a new report I coauthored with @bellwetherorg.bsky.social's Sophie Zamarripa and @edpolicyinca.org's @agallagheredpolicy.bsky.social, sharing findings from the first major study of basic aid districts since LCFF was enacted in California. edpolicyinca.org/publications... (1/6)
October 7, 2025 at 9:16 PM
I'm pleased to share a new report I coauthored with @bellwetherorg.bsky.social's Sophie Zamarripa and @edpolicyinca.org's @agallagheredpolicy.bsky.social, sharing findings from the first major study of basic aid districts since LCFF was enacted in California. edpolicyinca.org/publications... (1/6)
One more reason K-12 schools need to be watching immigration trends closely: "In a negative-immigration world, the under-18 population would quickly fall."
The US Population Could Shrink in 2025, For the First Time Ever
www.derekthompson.org/p/the-us-pop...
The US Population Could Shrink in 2025, For the First Time Ever
www.derekthompson.org/p/the-us-pop...
The US Population Could Shrink in 2025, For the First Time Ever
It's a story with massive economic and political significance. But it's receiving strangely little attention.
www.derekthompson.org
September 3, 2025 at 2:43 AM
One more reason K-12 schools need to be watching immigration trends closely: "In a negative-immigration world, the under-18 population would quickly fall."
The US Population Could Shrink in 2025, For the First Time Ever
www.derekthompson.org/p/the-us-pop...
The US Population Could Shrink in 2025, For the First Time Ever
www.derekthompson.org/p/the-us-pop...
Balanced, insightful take by @latimes.com Howard Blume on enrollment decline in LAUSD, drawing upon new data from Los Angeles nonprofit GPSN on what steeply plummeting enrollment means for LA schools, students, and families.
Hundreds of thousands fewer students, but few closed schools. Can LAUSD make the math work?
Hundreds of thousands fewer students, but few closed schools. Can LAUSD make the math work?
The closing of campuses and staff reductions in L.A. Unified fail to keep pace with declining enrollment, creating financial peril. But cutting back has risks.
www.latimes.com
August 28, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Balanced, insightful take by @latimes.com Howard Blume on enrollment decline in LAUSD, drawing upon new data from Los Angeles nonprofit GPSN on what steeply plummeting enrollment means for LA schools, students, and families.
Make the data matter. When districts see benefits (or consequences) to what they're reporting -- and when they don't feel like they're uploading information into a black hole -- data quality will improve.
Fresno Unified error skews newly released state teacher data, EdSource analysis shows. It shows how easy it is to introduce significant errors into data, which then become part of the permanent state record. edsource.org?page_id=738872 #data @californiateacher.bsky.social
Fresno Unified error skews state teacher data, analysis shows
A mistake made by a staff member deflated claims that the state added 3,000 new teachers to its ranks between 2020 and 2024.
edsource.org
August 19, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Make the data matter. When districts see benefits (or consequences) to what they're reporting -- and when they don't feel like they're uploading information into a black hole -- data quality will improve.
Reposted by Carrie Hahnel
Low-income communities and communities of color do not have to be devastated by school closures.
There’s a better way: Equity-centered whole-school magnet programs that boost enrollment AND diversity.
We partnered with the good folks at @tcfdotorg.bsky.social to map out how 🧵👇
There’s a better way: Equity-centered whole-school magnet programs that boost enrollment AND diversity.
We partnered with the good folks at @tcfdotorg.bsky.social to map out how 🧵👇
August 6, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Low-income communities and communities of color do not have to be devastated by school closures.
There’s a better way: Equity-centered whole-school magnet programs that boost enrollment AND diversity.
We partnered with the good folks at @tcfdotorg.bsky.social to map out how 🧵👇
There’s a better way: Equity-centered whole-school magnet programs that boost enrollment AND diversity.
We partnered with the good folks at @tcfdotorg.bsky.social to map out how 🧵👇
Reposted by Carrie Hahnel
🚨 NEW! 🚨
Bellwether analyzed data from over 9,300 school districts across the country to explore warning signs of coming school closures.
From Christine Dickason, Paul Beach, Carrie Hahnel, and
Andy Jacob.
bellwether.org/publications...
Bellwether analyzed data from over 9,300 school districts across the country to explore warning signs of coming school closures.
From Christine Dickason, Paul Beach, Carrie Hahnel, and
Andy Jacob.
bellwether.org/publications...
Systems Under Strain: Warning Signs of a Nationwide School Closure Surge | Bellwether
bellwether.org
August 7, 2025 at 6:13 PM
🚨 NEW! 🚨
Bellwether analyzed data from over 9,300 school districts across the country to explore warning signs of coming school closures.
From Christine Dickason, Paul Beach, Carrie Hahnel, and
Andy Jacob.
bellwether.org/publications...
Bellwether analyzed data from over 9,300 school districts across the country to explore warning signs of coming school closures.
From Christine Dickason, Paul Beach, Carrie Hahnel, and
Andy Jacob.
bellwether.org/publications...
Reposted by Carrie Hahnel
New analysis from me, Paul Beach, @carriehahnel.bsky.social, & Andy Jacob on several leading indicators that suggest school closures may become more frequent. #edusky
➡️ The analysis: bellwether.org/publications...
📰 K-12 Dive coverage @annamerod.bsky.social: www.k12dive.com/news/school-...
➡️ The analysis: bellwether.org/publications...
📰 K-12 Dive coverage @annamerod.bsky.social: www.k12dive.com/news/school-...
Bellwether warns of school closures, consolidations ahead
The nonprofit's analysis suggests enrollment declines may have cost the nation's 100 largest districts $5.2 billion.
www.k12dive.com
August 7, 2025 at 6:40 PM
New analysis from me, Paul Beach, @carriehahnel.bsky.social, & Andy Jacob on several leading indicators that suggest school closures may become more frequent. #edusky
➡️ The analysis: bellwether.org/publications...
📰 K-12 Dive coverage @annamerod.bsky.social: www.k12dive.com/news/school-...
➡️ The analysis: bellwether.org/publications...
📰 K-12 Dive coverage @annamerod.bsky.social: www.k12dive.com/news/school-...
Excellent reporting on the consequences of declining enrollment and district leaders' reluctance to make tough decisions.
NEW and important! 100 Students in a School Meant for 1,000: Inside Chicago’s Refusal to Deal With Its Nearly Empty Schools @chalkbeat.org @propublica.org
100 Students in a School Meant for 1,000: Inside Chicago’s Refusal to Deal With Its Nearly Empty Schools
Declining school enrollment has left 30% of Chicago public schools at least half-empty. The city’s failure to address this problem has come at a high cost to the district — and its students.
www.propublica.org
June 18, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Excellent reporting on the consequences of declining enrollment and district leaders' reluctance to make tough decisions.
Reposted by Carrie Hahnel
As federal support for English learners wanes, states have an opportunity - and responsibility - to lead. We lay out concrete actions states can take now to support English learners in the midst of a swiftly changing federal landscape. Read here: bellwether.org/publications... #EdPolicy #ELs
Federal Policy on English Learners: Early Actions for States in Response to Recent Changes | Bellwether
bellwether.org
May 8, 2025 at 4:13 PM
As federal support for English learners wanes, states have an opportunity - and responsibility - to lead. We lay out concrete actions states can take now to support English learners in the midst of a swiftly changing federal landscape. Read here: bellwether.org/publications... #EdPolicy #ELs
If bilingual education can thrive in Texas, it should also be possible in deep blue California. Great story from @edsource.org showing what's possible and what it would take to get there. edsource.org?page_id=730896
Why Texas is ahead of California on bilingual education
Texas enrolls its English learners in bilingual education at more than double the rate of California.
edsource.org
April 25, 2025 at 5:55 PM
If bilingual education can thrive in Texas, it should also be possible in deep blue California. Great story from @edsource.org showing what's possible and what it would take to get there. edsource.org?page_id=730896
Change is coming to California’s schools as enrollment falls. Will district leaders put off tough choices or lead the way?
Bellwether's new toolkit provides research-backed strategies for school systems facing declining enrollment.
bellwether.org/publications...
Bellwether's new toolkit provides research-backed strategies for school systems facing declining enrollment.
bellwether.org/publications...
Navigating Declining Enrollment: A Toolkit for California District Leaders to Design Stronger Schools and Systems | Bellwether
California’s K-12 enrollment is projected to decline for the next two decades due to lower birth rates, reduced immigration, and out-of-state migration. With fewer students, school districts will rece...
bellwether.org
April 16, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Change is coming to California’s schools as enrollment falls. Will district leaders put off tough choices or lead the way?
Bellwether's new toolkit provides research-backed strategies for school systems facing declining enrollment.
bellwether.org/publications...
Bellwether's new toolkit provides research-backed strategies for school systems facing declining enrollment.
bellwether.org/publications...
Portland Public Schools faces a tricky dilemma: whether to advance a costly bond to modernize high school facilities while enrollment is expected to drop steeply in the coming years. Will there be enough students to fill those high schools?
Great reporting from Joanna Hou.
Great reporting from Joanna Hou.
Portland Public Schools has a math problem. In total, the district is overbuilding by more than 4,400 students—enough to fill more than two high schools. www.wweek.com/news/schools...
Too Many High Schools
www.wweek.com
March 20, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Portland Public Schools faces a tricky dilemma: whether to advance a costly bond to modernize high school facilities while enrollment is expected to drop steeply in the coming years. Will there be enough students to fill those high schools?
Great reporting from Joanna Hou.
Great reporting from Joanna Hou.
Reposted by Carrie Hahnel
School closures are a tough reality yet thoughtful planning can help ensure value and equity in the process. @carriehahnel.bsky.social, PACE Sr. Policy & Research Fellow / Bellwether Sr. Associate Partner in Policy & Evaluation, shares key strategies. districtadministration.com/article/how-... (1/4)
How are K12 superintendents addressing looming school closures?
Three districts have discussed possible closures in the past week. Here's how their respective leaders are communicating their plans.
districtadministration.com
March 12, 2025 at 5:52 PM
School closures are a tough reality yet thoughtful planning can help ensure value and equity in the process. @carriehahnel.bsky.social, PACE Sr. Policy & Research Fellow / Bellwether Sr. Associate Partner in Policy & Evaluation, shares key strategies. districtadministration.com/article/how-... (1/4)
Reposted by Carrie Hahnel
Reforming how a state funds its higher ed institutions is hard and important work. Perhaps no one knows this better than #highered leaders in IL, who are working to pass a new funding formula that focuses on adequacy & equity. Read my new Q&A w/some of these leaders. bellwether.org/blog/dollars...
Dollars and Degrees: Perspectives From the Field — Spotlight on Illinois | Bellwether
As states grapple with how to fund colleges and universities in an equitable and sustainable way, several are revising their higher education funding formulas. These formulas — a primary mechanism by ...
bellwether.org
December 12, 2024 at 8:15 PM
Reforming how a state funds its higher ed institutions is hard and important work. Perhaps no one knows this better than #highered leaders in IL, who are working to pass a new funding formula that focuses on adequacy & equity. Read my new Q&A w/some of these leaders. bellwether.org/blog/dollars...
Grateful for local reporters tackling issues like inequitable school property taxes. I spoke with Tarini Mehta @northbaynews.bsky.social on why California "basic aid" districts like wealthy St. Helena vastly outspend needier neighbors like Napa Valley: www.pressdemocrat.com/article/napa...
Why does St. Helena Unified spend nearly 3 times as much as Napa school district per student?
Calistoga Joint Unified and St. Helena Unified are basic aid or community funded school districts while Napa Valley Unified depends on a combination of state aid and local property taxes.
www.pressdemocrat.com
December 10, 2024 at 10:24 PM
Grateful for local reporters tackling issues like inequitable school property taxes. I spoke with Tarini Mehta @northbaynews.bsky.social on why California "basic aid" districts like wealthy St. Helena vastly outspend needier neighbors like Napa Valley: www.pressdemocrat.com/article/napa...
Inspired by today's conversation about an education civil rights agenda for California's next quarter century.
Was awesome to be in a room with so many researchers, advocates, and civil rights greats like Tom Saenz, Patricia Gandara, Mark Rosenblum, Maria Echaveste, and my old prof Gary Orfield.
Was awesome to be in a room with so many researchers, advocates, and civil rights greats like Tom Saenz, Patricia Gandara, Mark Rosenblum, Maria Echaveste, and my old prof Gary Orfield.
December 6, 2024 at 2:24 AM
Inspired by today's conversation about an education civil rights agenda for California's next quarter century.
Was awesome to be in a room with so many researchers, advocates, and civil rights greats like Tom Saenz, Patricia Gandara, Mark Rosenblum, Maria Echaveste, and my old prof Gary Orfield.
Was awesome to be in a room with so many researchers, advocates, and civil rights greats like Tom Saenz, Patricia Gandara, Mark Rosenblum, Maria Echaveste, and my old prof Gary Orfield.
I enjoyed speaking with Carolyn Jones @calmatters.org about California's steep declining enrollment, state budget uncertainties, and impending school closures. calmatters.org/education/k-...
November 19, 2024 at 3:30 PM
I enjoyed speaking with Carolyn Jones @calmatters.org about California's steep declining enrollment, state budget uncertainties, and impending school closures. calmatters.org/education/k-...
Hi BlueSky! I'm a Sr Associate Partner at Bellwether, where I conduct research and advise on education policy. Things I'm passionate about these days: K12 and postsecondary finance, declining enrollment, school closures, system redesign, protecting marginalized youth, building abundance.
November 19, 2024 at 3:17 PM
Hi BlueSky! I'm a Sr Associate Partner at Bellwether, where I conduct research and advise on education policy. Things I'm passionate about these days: K12 and postsecondary finance, declining enrollment, school closures, system redesign, protecting marginalized youth, building abundance.