Budget Hold’em is more than a game—it's an interactive exploration of how to make the most of every dollar to accelerate student learning.

The game encourages participants to step outside of their day-to-day decision-making to consider their choices in a new way. Through this game, you’ll consider shifts to resources—such as academic advising, scheduling, and instructional time and attention—to help prepare students for their post-graduation steps. Each card was crafted using real district data and scenarios from our more than 20 years working with districts nationwide.

Play on your own to get a sense of how it works, then amplify the game's impact by playing alongside your team!

• Take the perspective of a school leader, like a Principal, Instructional Coach, Dean of Students, or Dean of Operations.
• Keep in mind your school’s most important needs and priorities.
• In the game, you'll receive "deals" of cards describing potential investments and savings. Choose to "play" cards that fit your priorities, increase student achievement, and help meet a budget target. Be realistic, but also open-minded and bold.
• In the final round, you'll find more information on the resource strategies you chose.

Across the country, education leaders are seeing urgent and increasing student needs—but they’re also facing significant challenges that impede their ability to address these needs. To truly improve student experiences and outcomes, education leaders must think differently about how they balance reductions and investments. Hold’em can help.

Budget Hold'em uses real district data and scenarios based on ERS' work from over 20 years in districts nationwide. It has been played by over 15,000 people in person and online, and continues to be used by district leadership teams, board members, teachers, and more.