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 Put yourself to the test with this pop quiz for district leaders
Five questions. Five hot topics in K-12 education. Ten follow-up resources for your district to brush up on weak spots.
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  Put yourself to the test with this pop quiz for district leaders
Five questions. Five hot topics in K-12 education. Ten follow-up resources for your district to brush up on weak spots.
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What can district leaders do to help staff—and their district as a whole—reach their full potential?
| a) | Set higher expectations for staff |
| b) | Manage staff more closely |
| c) | Equip staff with tools and personal development/leadership opportunities |
Reveal Answer
Correct answer is:
C – Equip staff with tools and personal development/leadership opportunities
Monet was probably a swell guy, but he wouldn’t have left his mark on the world without his paints and brush. The principle is the same for district leaders. No matter how gifted they are, when they’re empowered with time-saving tech and ongoing knowledge, they’re more likely to soar—and help their district do the same.
New teachers with mentors are less than half as likely to quit within five years, and their students experience months-worth of educational gains. (Edutopia)
Resources:
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10 Do’s and Don’ts for Effective Teacher MentorshipTeacher mentorships are an effective way to boost retention. Learn 10 ways to improve and 10 things to avoid in your program. Read the article |
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10 Digital Badges Worth PursuingDigital badges are a great self-paced professional development option. These 10 free badges are perfect for anyone who is getting started or gearing up their online portfolio. Read the article |
Next question
When it comes to maintaining a robust staff, one of district leaders’ biggest initiatives should be:
| a) | Proactively hiring additional staff |
| b) | Prioritizing district culture and staff morale |
| c) | Offering incentives for staff who hit certain milestones |
Reveal Answer
Correct answer is:
B – Prioritizing district culture and staff morale
It’s simple: happy employees tend to stick around. Providing staff with a healthy, comfortable environment will reduce turnover, keep employees more engaged in their work, and help ensure they enjoy coming to school each day.
Employees who don’t like their organization’s culture are 24% more likely to quit. (TINYpulse)
Resources:
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How Edtech and Culture Work Together to Retain TeachersDistricts have to get creative to keep teachers happy. Here are a few tips: Invest in culture, ease the burden of administrative tasks, and ensure edtech is easy to use. Read the article |
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Leaders, Spark New JoySchool culture is precious, and it sets the tone for learning and working every day. Here's how administrators can cultivate joy in classrooms and coaching sessions. Read the article |
Next question
Which of the following has led to new vulnerabilities to cyberattacks?
| a) | An increase in new devices and access points |
| b) | A downward trend in the quality of security software |
| c) | An increase of "stu-spies," or "student spies," who work for hackers |
Reveal Answer
Correct answer is:
A – An increase of new devices and access points
The pandemic-induced remote work spurred a rise in cyberattacks; in fact, they reached an all-time high in 2021. While you can’t fully eliminate the risk of your district becoming a victim, there are steps you can take to minimize it. A strong defense starts with up-to-date technology, reliable backups, and educated staff.
8,253,516 devices in the education industry encountered malware over 30 days in December 2021—far more than any other industry. (Microsoft Security Intelligence)
Resources:
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Not New in 2022: Ransomware ThreatsSchools face plenty of dangers and threats, from a pandemic to budget cuts, but ransomware may be one of the most pernicious, transcendent, and frightening—and it’s not going away. Read the article |
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The Cost of Proactive vs. Reactive Data SecurityInvesting in your district's data security? Here's why being proactive pays dividends as ransomware risks increase for school districts. Read the article |
Next question
In the past few years, guardians have become more engaged in students’ education. While exciting, new demands can put additional stress on teachers. What should teachers do?
| a) | Allow parents to contact them on their personal devices to save time |
| b) | Lean on edtech to simplify communications |
| c) | Do nothing; as the pandemic winds down, things will go back to normal |
Reveal Answer
Correct answer is:
B – Lean on edtech to simplify communications
Edtech was built to lighten the load. Teachers can use their tech in a variety of ways to sustain this engagement—without collapsing under the additional weight or giving out their personal information.
More than three-quarters of educators say parent-school communication increased during the pandemic. (EdWeek Research Center)
Resources:
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How to Develop Automated Messages with HumanityAutomated communication can save a lot of time but can feel off-putting to the audience. Use these writing principles, plus a hefty dose of your school culture, to make the conversation feel more genuine. Read the article |
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11 Ways Schools Can Reach Out to Families Learn some high-tech methods for keeping in touch with students and families. Read the article |
Next question
Digital tools have primarily evolved from ___________ to ____________.
| a) | engagement tools to learning platforms |
| b) | complex to user-friendly |
| c) | passive to interactive |
Reveal Answer
Correct answer is:
A – engagement tools to learning platforms
Technology has been important in education for a long time, but in the last few years, its role has both grown and shapeshifted. Now, edtech is at the center of so much of education—not only engaging students, but simplifying processes and even making learning possible.
83% of educators said edtech makes engaging students easy—and actually improves their own performance. (Promethean)
Resources:
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7 Reasons Your SIS Is the Cornerstone of LearningLearn how a simple student information system becomes a crucial part of communication, data insight, and whole-child wellness. Read the article |
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Video Edtech Playbook: When Is It Time for a New SIS?When should you start looking for a new SIS? When the red flags keep adding up and you are no longer on the cutting edge. Take a look to see where your district stands. Watch the videos |
Finish
So. how'd you do?
Whether you nailed or bombed it, you can stay in the know on the latest in K-12 technology, culture, and leadership from now on!
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You want to better serve students, right? That becomes a lot easier when you have more time to invest in the things that matter most. For Boerne ISD in Texas, using the right SIS and ERP systems was an important step in the right direction. Read the story |
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Achieve your district’s goals faster. Skyward’s school administration software can help! Learn more at www.skyward.com. Learn more |