A study from Harris Interactive revealed that 89 percent of teachers think edtech improves student outcomes, but only 14 percent of teachers use digital curricula weekly. A major reason for this is teacher unfamiliarity and discomfort with technology. As a result, many teachers are forced into using technology they are unfamiliar or uncomfortable using. Administrators […]
Quick quiz: After the buildings, salaries and benefits, what is one of the biggest expenses for most school districts? Chances are that it's those ubiquitous yellow buses that pick up kids in the morning and return them home (or close to it) after school. With the typical school bus costing between $45,000 and $90,000 a […]
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 […]
Last fall, a national problem arrived in Superintendent Richard Scaletta's corner of rural northwestern Pennsylvania. Principals in the General McLane School District began reporting unprecedented levels of misbehavior: students in frequent and severe distress, sometimes kicking, biting or throwing things.
New California laws make the state first in the nation to adopt human trafficking and sexual abuse prevention education and training for students and teachers. The California Healthy Youth Act, passed in 2016, requires districts to provide comprehensive sexual health and HIV prevention education, including lessons on sex trafficking. In 2017, the governor amended the […]
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 […]
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 […]
Striving to ensure the implementation of best practices that support all learners is critical to academic achievement for diverse populations. Dearborn Schools is committed to ensuring that all students reach academic success. With a population of 20,907 of which 50 percent are English learners (several refugees and newcomer students), 8 percent special education and approximately […]
