Online and far away. That’s what it felt like for teachers and students when COVID propelled them into the digital world. They wondered: Would it be possible for students to learn effectively outside of the classroom? Could instruction be adapted to keep learners engaged from afar? Could schools support student well-being at a distance?
“Techquity,” as defined by educator and consultant Ken Shelton in a recent edLeader Panel, sponsored by NetRef, is the intersection of the use of technology and ensuring equitable learning environments. He defines equity simply as access and opportunities for all learners to realize their full potential. Whether it is a classroom, the school, or the whole school experience, if a student’s learning environment is not culturally affirming, culturally responsive, and culturally relevant, they cannot connect learning to their real-world environment.
When addressing education inequity, it isn’t enough for superintendents and administrators to look at grades and attendance. They need to examine the social, legal, and economic factors that have supported systemic racism. But more important, said Dr. Mark T. Bedell, Superintendent of Kansas City Public Schools (MO), in an edWebinar hosted by AASA, The School Superintendents Association and AASA’s Leadership Network, school leaders need to make noise and keep fighting for policies that will support change in their communities and schools.
Ways to move the process forward, communicate effectively, and achieve meaningful improvements were discussed during a recent edWebinar, hosted by AASA, The School Superintendents Association and AASA’s Leadership Network. The presentation featured Dr. Jeannie Stone, Superintendent of the Richardson Independent School District (TX), Carrie Breedlove, Principal of J.J. Pearce High School (TX), Katrina Collins, Principal of Skyview Elementary School (TX), and Toni Jackson, a teacher at Dartmouth Elementary School (TX).
The remarkable seven-year transformation of Compton’s schools was discussed during a recent edWebinar, hosted by AASA, The School Superintendents Association and AASA’s Leadership Network, featuring Dr. Darin Brawley, Superintendent of the Compton Unified School District, and Michele Dawson, Senior Director of Technology and Innovation of the Compton Unified School District.
As educators and industry partners look ahead to the 2020-21 school year, they’re examining the impact of the pandemic and the potential transformation of all aspects of K-12 education. According to experts from the edWebinar, “The Transformation and Funding of PreK-12 Professional Learning in the COVID Era,” sponsored by Simba Information, a business of Market Research.com, research shows that recent trends in professional learning are here to stay.
Even though money from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) is meant to help school districts this year and beyond, the majority of superintendents and school leaders are being cautious with their spending. They want to make sure that any purchases demonstrate they support sustainable change that benefits teachers and learners. In the edWebinar, “Roadmap for Making the Best Decisions with Your ARP Funding,” sponsored by Project Tomorrow, the presenters offered advice to vendors on how to become partners in this new education environment.
News about economic stimulus funding for K-12 education brought a lot of excitement, confusion, and questions for both vendors and school districts. Who gets the money? How much and how is it distributed? Where can it be spent? During an edFocus Friday edWebinar, “Build Your K-12 Sales and Marketing Plans Around the ESSER Funding,” Rita Ferrandino, Founding Partner at Arc Capital Development and Innovation Consultant at Catalyst @ Penn GSE – University of Pennsylvania, explained the purpose of the three rounds of stimulus funding and how they could impact education companies.
Work on developing culturally proficient communities during the previous decade has now led to the creation of a professional learning program designed to increase equity and inclusion during the 2020s, in collaboration with the Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators.
It’s no secret that the pandemic altered K-12 education, including the relationship between vendors and schools. The question is: Are the changes here to stay? During the edWebinar, “Educators Have Spoken… This Is What Industry Partners Need to Hear,” the speakers presented trends and observations from edWeb’s recent edFocus Industry Summit and offered advice for vendors on building and maintaining connections with their customers.