EdWeek chat today: Education's new economic reality

School districts across the country are struggling through the nation’s most severe economic downturn since the Great Depression, even as they face continued pressure to raise student achievement and improve instruction. Many school officials report having made deep budget cuts to electives and extracurricular activities, summer and after-school programs, and having raised class sizes and laid off teachers and other employees.

There’s little relief in sight: Economists say it could be years before state and local budgets recover to pre-recession levels. Given these realities, how are school districts likely to cope with lean budgets in the time ahead? And what strategies can school leaders consider that have the potential to keep costs low while pursuing their academic goals?

Join Education Week and its panel of education experts for a conversation about the impact of the "Great Recession" on schools and options for schools seeking to improve instruction and student learning during these difficult times.

Quality Counts 2011: Education's New Economic Reality, sponsored by Acuity. Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2 p.m. Eastern.