Key points:
As K-12 administrators strive to improve operations and maximize results, they are increasingly focused on growing human capital, supporting students holistically and protecting essential district resources, according to a new survey of Frontline education.
The report, K-12 Lens: Frontline Education Survey Reportis based on responses from nearly 700 K-12 administrators nationwide and is designed to help district leaders carefully plan initiatives that drive meaningful improvements for their staff and students.
Developed in partnership with C+C Research, the comprehensive report establishes benchmarks that will be tracked annually to monitor trends over time. In doing so, their goal is to help district leaders align their strategies with recent research. In addition to key data findings, the report provides practical strategies to guide district leaders' decision-making and improve staffing, student support, and budget operations.
The report presents key data and insights related to each critical priority.
Growing human capital
Sixty-seven percent of K-12 administrators say they have experienced increased staffing difficulties over the past year, and 41 percent report a staff retention rate between 81 and 90 percent. A large majority (96 percent) believe that professional development will lead to greater engagement and retention.
According to respondents, the impact of shortages also differs by content area. While more than three-quarters of respondents indicated they need special educators and substitute teachers, less than a quarter indicated they lack speech therapists.
Nearly all respondents indicated that they are prioritizing the following changes to professional learning because they believe it will lead to greater engagement and retention:
- 99 percent: greater transfer of new learning to classroom practice
- 98 percent: More teacher acceptance of professional learning agendas
- 97 percent: Greater connection between professional learning and teacher goals
- 96 percent: Greater alignment between teacher evaluation results and professional learning activities
Support students comprehensively
Student mental health is a top priority for K-12 administrators, emphasizing the importance of focusing on students' mental and emotional well-being to improve academic outcomes.
They noted factors related to students' home or community environment that may affect their mental and emotional well-being. These include the quality of relationships between their caregivers and their schools, financial security, and lifestyle factors that can disrupt learning, such as student mobility.
Many respondents highlighted the connection between students' mental and social-emotional health and their attendance, behavior, and academic performance. They also mentioned the need for better identification of students requiring intervention. Fifty-two percent track risk early warning indicators for grades 1-5 to monitor variables such as attendance, behavior, and grades. About half of surveyed K-12 administrators know for sure which students are receiving intervention based on these early warning indicators, and one-third know the percentage of chronically absent students in their districts.
While districts provide various special services, there are still opportunities for improvement. These include:
- Understand factors that impact student mental well-being and outcomes of mental health challenges
- Help overburdened district mental health providers with important supports, such as a software tool to document students' mental health needs and a schedule for mental health screenings.
- Use student attendance, behavior, and grade data to identify at-risk students at each grade level.
Protect essential district resources
About a quarter of K-12 administrators say they lack confidence in budgeting for the district's future technology needs, and 45 percent saw a decrease in funding due to legislative changes. Its main technological challenge is to promote cybersecurity.
District resources, especially technological assets, have become integral to teaching and learning. The report highlights several opportunities to improve financial operations at the district level. These include:
- Anticipation of legislative impacts on district spending
- Using a software system to assist with strategy and budget forecasting.
- Plan ahead for significant technology expenses related to the repair and replacement of new devices.
- Work with IT to develop a cybersecurity plan
- Know the costs and plan ahead for a cyber attack
“This report is not just a snapshot; is a roadmap for informed decision making, providing actionable data and strategies designed to empower school leaders to address both current realities and emerging trends. We plan to publish similar reports annually, ensuring the K-12 community has access to the latest knowledge and resources to drive positive change in their schools and communities,” said Mark Gruzin, CEO of Frontline Education.
This press release originally appeared online.
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