How Do Budget Cuts Impact Schools?

How Do Budget Cuts Impact Schools?

It’s that time of year…. budget cuts. So how do budget cuts impact schools?  Across the country, schools are tightening their belts, cutting programs, and making impossible choices about where to allocate their ever-dwindling resources. And too often, one of the first things on the chopping block is social-emotional learning (SEL) support. In my kids’ district, school adjustment counselors are at risk. Terrible. Tragic. Counselors, behavioral interventionists, and mental health specialists are essential team members who help students manage their emotions, build resilience, and navigate challenges are being deleted, leaving teachers to fill the gaps. Again. So how does low funding affect education?

The Unspoken Expectation: Teachers Do It All

Since ancient times, teaching has never been just about academics. Educators are caregivers, role models, mentors, AND first responders to their students’ emotional needs. But as schools continue to slash behavioral and emotional supports, teachers are being asked to take on an even heavier emotional load. They’re expected to de-escalate conflicts, support students through trauma, and teach emotional regulation all while keeping up with academic demands, test scores, and curriculum requirements. Oh My….

It’s an impossible ask. Teachers are already stretched thin, balancing overcrowded classrooms, diverse student needs, and their own well-being (usually last on the list). And while most educators deeply care about their students’ social-emotional growth, they are not trained mental health professionals. Nor should they be expected to function as such without support.

How Does Low Funding Affect Education? The Cost of Cutting Social Emotional Learning.

Social emotional learning standards have been expanding throughout school districts in the United States for decades but seem to have lost some credibility. There have been tremendous resources given to this initiative. So why aren’t our students’ experts in empathy, self-control and cooperation?  Emotional health supports in our schools, are essential foundation for learning. Research shows that students who struggle with emotional regulation and mental well-being have a harder time focusing, absorbing information, and succeeding academically. This is the premise that TACC is built upon. We believe that you must REGULATE TO EDUCATE. Without proper behavioral and emotional learning strategies, classroom management becomes more challenging, and teachers spend more time addressing crises instead of teaching.

Ignoring social emotional learning also has long-term consequences. Students who lack emotional regulation skills are more likely to struggle with relationships, experience mental health challenges, and face academic setbacks. Ironically, schools that cut these resources to save money often end up spending more on disciplinary interventions, absenteeism, and teacher burnout. (Never mind our costs on out of district placements). These costs could be mitigated with proper support in place.

A Solution To The Elimination Of Mental Health Support Personnel: 

• Embed Social Emotional Learning in Everyday Teaching-While teachers shouldn’t bear the full burden, incorporating small, structured social emotional learning moments into daily lessons can help reinforce emotional skills.

·       Invest in Professional Development- If teachers are expected to take on more emotional regulation responsibilities, they need proper training and tools to do so effectively (without burning out). Ongoing professional development equips educators with practical, research-backed emotional regulation strategies that can be seamlessly integrated into their classrooms. Investing in this growth isn’t just about supporting teachers, it’s about ensuring they have the skills and confidence to create emotionally intelligent learning environments where students can thrive. When teachers are empowered with the right strategies, they foster resilience, improve classroom dynamics, and enhance student success.

·       Design High-Quality, Consistent Programs- with a strong foundation, ensuring teachers have a shared framework for collaboration and success.

If we want students to learn, we must first help them regulate. This a responsibility that belongs to all of us; not just the overworked teachers doing their best to hold it all together. This is what we do at TACC Consulting. We work with schools to create customized professional development that fits their needs, their teachers, and most importantly their students. We achieve success through consultation, classroom observation, high quality assessment and program development, coaching, comprehensive strategies and robust professional development for teachers.

TACC offers long-term strategies and effective approaches for building emotionally intelligent classrooms. Let’s cultivate compassionate and well-regulated classrooms dripping with connection and growth, academically, personally and socially.

Want to explore ways to boost teacher retention and support student success on your campus? Let’s chat about how TACC can enhance your classroom climate and professional development. Reach me at Kerri@taccconsulting.com

In the meantime, Download 5 emotional regulation strategies for the classroom and share with your teachers here! www.taccconsulting.com/contact 

Committed to collaboration. Together we thrive.

Kerri

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