Whether it results from misinformation, staff complaints or faculty disagreements about new policies, all districts face employee issues. Some have learned better than others how to address problems early, before they erupt. "In large districts, there's more opportunity for a communication breakdown" says Jeff Filloon, HR director at Chandler USD in Arizona. "Most problems can […]
Breaking down silos is far from a new concept. More than 25 years ago, Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric, championed the idea of working across organizational boundaries. Today, we live in a far different world. Our communications technologies have dramatically improved, and we have instant access to massive amounts of information. The promise […]
Today's more sophisticated visitor management systems allow K12 leaders to get a better handle on who's trying to enter (or leave) their buildings—including tardy students. Lobby kiosks can perform automated and instant background checks, screen guests, and issue badges. This process can immediately identify registered sex offenders and alert staff to parental custody issues, among […]
Too many students graduate high school unprepared for college and career. There is a disconnect between what they know when they leave high school and what they are expected to know when they enter college and the workplace. They lack vital communications and critical thinking skills as well as real-world experiences. So, how do you […]
In Florida's Collier County Public Schools, educators' use of social media to connect with parents and the broader community started with "a coalition of the willing" says Greg Turchetta, executive director of communications and community development. "Resistance is at every turn. We started with school administrative teams and school accounts." Once the administrators became comfortable […]
School leaders everywhere have experienced parent, staff and student anxiety about school safety following the tragic attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. While these emotionally charged climates are understandable, making knee-jerk decisions with a "do something, do anything, do it now" mantra can lead to high-risk, high-liability actions that administrators and […]
Whether it's a small district with just a few schools or a mammoth operation that spends billions of dollars, one thing is certain: getting tech support in the right place at the right time is mission critical. This not only requires having trained staff to fix problems, but maintaining careful coordination and communication between the […]
Many elementary school students in Marion County Public Schools spend more than 20 minutes per night reading with family members. Parents in the central Florida district also report their children feel less stressed this school year.
If you've visited a classroom lately, you've likely noticed a remarkable difference in how teaching and learning happens. Computers and devices are staples in most classrooms, and you're far more likely to find students working in groups than a teacher at the front of the room lecturing. Though the teacher continues to play a crucial […]
California students in fall 2018 will be the first in the U.S. to use textbooks that highlight the historical contributions made by people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. The new curricular materials come after the state's passage of the FAIR Education Act in 2011, which requires that history instruction cover LGBT people as […]
