K-12 Lens: Highlights from Frontline’s Annual Survey Report

This episode of Field Trip looks at highlights from the inaugural edition of “K-12 Lens,” an annual survey report from the Frontline Research & Learning Institute.

Rebecca Strott, Vice President of Market Intelligence for research firm C+C, looks at the highlights from the survey, and explores the pressing challenges and emerging opportunities within K-12. From staffing challenges and strategies for retention to concerns around student mental health and cybersecurity to the integration of AI into education, listen as we consider the current state and future possibilities for K-12.

Timeline

00:00 - Introduction

00:25 - Exploring the "K-12 Lens" Survey with Rebecca Strott

01:46 - Deep Dive into Hiring and Staffing Challenges

04:39 - The Importance of Professional Development for Retention

06:00 - Addressing Student Mental Health in Schools

10:55 - Navigating Technology and Cybersecurity in Education

13:45 - The Future of Education: AI, Funding, and Data Analytics

18:40 - Interdepartmental Relationships and the Impact on School Operations

21:03 - Conclusion and Resources

Dig Deeper

K-12 Lens: Access the full report for a more detailed look at the data.

AI in Education: Current Outlook? What’s Coming Next? How Should Schools Respond?

Diving into the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) in K-12 education, with a focus on its implications for educators, administrators, and students! Dr. Ellen Agnello, a former classroom teacher turned consultant and researcher, shares insights from her recent study on AI's integration into schools, addressing teachers' and administrators' perceptions, the potential uses of AI for learning and administrative tasks, and the challenges involved in adopting this technology.

We also highlight:

Key differences in comfort and attitude between teachers and administrators regarding AI

The role of AI in enhancing teaching practices and professional development

The importance of AI literacy and the need to balance technological advancements with the intrinsic value of interpersonal learning experiences

What the future of AI in education may hold

Timeline

00:00 - Introduction to AI in Education: Perspectives and Potential

00:49 - From Classroom to AI Research

03:44 - Surveying Educators on AI: Insights and Surprises

07:45 - AI Detection Tools and Teacher Concerns

09:19 - Navigating the AI Spectrum in Schools

11:15 - Demystifying AI for Educators

13:57 - AI's Practical Applications in the Classroom

22:09 - Expanding AI Use Beyond the Classroom

25:17 - Looking Ahead: The Future of AI in Education

Related Resource:

The Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in K-12 Professional Development: AI has been everywhere in the news, and education is no exception. This blog post dives into AI’s place in education now and in the future.

Empowering Parents in Special Education

In this episode of Field Trip, we dive into the crucial role of parent involvement in special education. Dr. Kristen Williams, Executive Director for Disability Services in the San Antonio Independent School District, shares her extensive experience and passionate insights into the dynamics of educational support and parent engagement. With over three decades in special education, Dr. Williams offers practical advice for schools and educators on fostering positive, proactive relationships with families.

We'll uncover:

• The Importance of Parent Involvement: No one knows and loves a child more than their parents. How can schools leverage this for better educational outcomes?

• Strategies for Positive Engagement: Innovative approaches and best practices for engaging parents in their children's education, moving beyond traditional methods to create a supportive and inclusive environment.

• Real-Life Success Stories: How intentional actions and policies have led to significant improvements in parent participation.

Whether you're a parent, educator, or someone interested in the field of education, this is a must-listen for anyone looking to make a difference in the lives of children with special needs.

Timeline

00:00 - Introduction: The Importance of Parental Involvement in Special Education

00:48 - The Role of Parents in Special Education

01:59 - Strategies for Positive and Proactive Parent Involvement

02:37 - Building Parent Capacity and Encouraging Participation

04:32 - The Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)

05:14 - Effective Communication with Parents

07:12 - Empowering Parents through Education and Advocacy

09:17 - Conclusion: The Lasting Impact of Parent Involvement

Unveiling the Mysteries of Employee Data

In this 4th and final episode of our series on workforce oversight, Frontline Education’s Mitch Welch and Dr. Sundie Dahlkamp, Executive Director of Business Services at Pearland Independent School District, explore the intricacies of employee data visibility.

Good data matters. Here is why position history is so key to making HR decisions in school districts.

Takeaways:

• The Importance of Position History: Without a solid grasp of position history, the quality of employee data is compromised. Mitch and Sundie consider the challenge in tracking the historical data of positions versus the employees in those positions.

• Data Visibility and Accountability: It’s not just for internal management, but also for external accountability. Community stakeholders may want to see how positions are managed and utilized over time, underscoring the need for transparent and accessible position history data.

• Challenges in Position History: Sundie explores the challenges in tracking the creation, approval, and deactivation of positions. Position history is crucial for leadership transitions, as it preserves institutional knowledge that could be lost with staff turnover.

• The Impact on Decision Making: Good position history data is vital for making informed decisions regarding vacancies and budget allocations. Understanding the history of a position can lead to better decisions about which positions to fill.

Timeline

00:00 - Introduction

01:17 - The Importance of Employee Data Visibility

02:19 - The Challenge of Position History

04:33 - The Importance of Position History for Decision Making

06:13 - The Role of Position History in Employee Retention

07:52 - Tracking Position History

11:00 - Conclusion

Related Resources

• Template: Position Management and Control Plan

• Blog: Effective Dating & Conditional Workflows in Position Management

• Podcast: K-12’s Balancing Act of Workforce Oversight

• Podcast: Mastering the Art of Managing Positions

• Podcast: Position Management: How to Empower Your Principals

Position Management: How to Empower Your Principals

Welcome to the third episode in a short series on workforce oversight in school districts! Once again, we welcome Frontline Education’s Mitch Welch and Dr. Sundie Dahlkamp, Executive Director of Business Services at Pearland Independent School District.

This conversation is all about empowering principals. With the right processes, workflows, and technology, you can enable them to make changes to staff positions seamlessly and efficiently and ensure that any changes are communicated back to the central office. This leads to greater principal involvement and autonomy, fostering a culture of buy-in and collaboration in making personnel decisions.

They explore:

• The innovative transition from paper to digital: Sundie describes the shift from a manual, paper-based process to a sophisticated digital system, leading to a seamless, paperless workflow that empowers campus-level autonomy.

• Autonomy at the campus level: By entrusting campus principals with the authority to manage positions, including hiring and adjustments, districts can foster a sense of ownership and expedite the decision-making process.

• Creating a Culture of Success: Creating a process that prevents errors and allows for informed decision-making can help school districts not only streamline administrative tasks but also build a culture where staff feel supported and empowered. The system's success lies in its ability to promote dialogue and reflection, leading to a positive work environment and a collective focus on the district's goals.

Timeline

00:00 - Introduction

00:00 - The Importance of Principal Involvement

02:42 - The Journey from Manual to Digital Processes

04:50 - Empowering Principals with Autonomy

06:47 - The Role of Compliance and Control in Position Management

09:56 - The Impact of Effective Position Management

10:49 - Conclusion and Next Steps

Related Resources

• eBook: Position Management Playbook for School Districts: How implementing a position management plan strengthens district-wide efficiency for HR, IT, Finance and Payroll.

• Case Study: From Stacks of Paper to an HR Management System: Why the Iron County School District Human Resources Department chose Frontline HRMS, and how they’re using the system to bring all employee information into one place, save time on contract renewals and forms, and make reporting a breeze.