Managing the Digital District
October 2, 2013
The complex challenges of running today’s technology-oriented school districts can be daunting. This special report, the latest installment in an ongoing series on educational technology, aims to provide guidance for school leaders looking for new ideas and approaches for managing the digital evolution of their districts. It was produced with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Education Week had sole editorial control over the content of this report.
School & District Management Many Districts Go Without a Chief Tech OfficerEven as schools juggle a daunting array of evolving technological demands, federal data show that roughly half of districts do not have a full-time chief technology officer.Teacher Preparation Districts Developing More Intelligent Data UseSchool systems are taking a hard look at the data they have, adding to the information, analyzing it more effectively, and presenting it to educators in user-friendly ways.Standards Districts Upgrade Tech Ahead of Common-Core TestingThough more breakdowns likely are inevitable given online testing's relatively new place in schools, the ability to protect the validity, integrity, and security of the process is increasingly crucial.Classroom Technology About This ReportThis report aims to address such questions and provide guidance for school leaders looking for new ideas and approaches for managing the digital evolution of their districts.School & District Management Talented Chief Tech Officers Hard to Find for K-12Many school district leaders themselves lack an understanding of how a smart CIO or CTO can help transform their schools, experts point out.
IT Infrastructure & Management Q&A Q&A: How Los Angeles Negotiated a 1-to-1 Deal With AppleIn a question-and-answer session with Education Week, Mark Hovatter, the architect of the groundbreaking agreement, addresses issues related to the $30 million deal.Curriculum Curating Digital Content Is a Complicated TaskSchools across the country are overwhelmed by the breadth and abundance of digital resources, but they are identifying better ways to organize open-source and paid content.
Classroom Technology '1:X Computing' Aims to Tailor Digital Tools to Learning TasksThe idea of a coordinated strategy to give students a choice of devices depending on the task at hand is a potentially powerful new development, experts say.
Curriculum Building a District Culture to Foster InnovationWhat is the "secret sauce" in a district's culture of operation that allows good ideas to flourish, and how can those attitudes and approaches be replicated?
School & District Management K-12 Leaders Shift From Protectors of Status Quo to Change AgentsAdvancements in technology are forcing superintendents to put more time and energy into crafting and implementing a vision for how technology should be used to improve schools.School & District Management Ed. Leaders Balance Risk-Taking and FailureOne vital characteristic of innovative, forward-thinking districts, observers say, is a commitment to encouraging administrators, teachers, and students to take risks and not be afraid to fail.
School & District Management Q&A: Houston Schools Chief and CTO Push Digital Learning VisionHouston Superintendent Terry B. Grier and Chief Technology Officer Lenny Schad have learned important lessons about how to work together to improve the use of technology in schools.
