Recruitment & Hiring
Learn more about efforts to attract school and district staff and choose the best candidate for the job
The State of Teaching, 2025 Edition
New national data on the teaching profession, vivid reporting from classrooms, and resources to help support this essential profession.
Recruitment & Retention
Opinion
Are We Headed for A Teacher Shortage and Can We Fix It?
When I was growing up, my parents did everything they could to ensure I had a good education. They chose the places we lived in Ohio and Kentucky with the main goal of getting my siblings and I into great schools. My mom and dad also placed a strong focus on literature, math, science, technology, athletics, art, and most importantly, creativity. My parents were highly involved and for that I am grateful.
School & District Management
Innovation Offices Pop Up in State Education Agencies
In an effort to spawn new ideas on schooling, some states are creating innovation offices within their state education departments.
School & District Management
Study: Principal Turnover Bodes Poorly for Schools
One-fifth of new principals leave within a year or two, and their schools continue on a downward academic slide, according to the RAND Corp.
School & District Management
Enter the Innovation Officer: Districts Design New Jobs
Administrative positions with the word "innovation" in the title are cropping up in school districts and state education departments nationwide.
Recruitment & Retention
Opinion
Six Things to Remember in Your Job Search
I recently had a friend come to me for help finding a job. As an HR person, I frequently get this question from friends, friends of friends, past classmates on LinkedIn, people on Twitter, and others. I am always honored when people ask for help. We all know that there are many workers looking for jobs right now and that finding one isn't easy. Here are six things to keep in mind when hunting for a job:
Federal
Head Start Providers Stand to Lose Funding
Head Start operators are worried that new federal rules for the program could drive some good providers out of business.
Education Funding
States Seek to Boost K-12 Aid as Revenue Recovers
Gradual funding increases are in the works, though cuts from the recession and its aftermath still sting.
Recruitment & Retention
Opinion
How Should Employers Use Social Media in Recruiting?
In a previous post, "Staffing, What It Is and Isn't," I discussed the process of finding the right people and bringing them into an organization. An important part of this process is recruitment. (Note that recruitment is different from selection. Recruitment is finding and attracting talent, while selection is just that - picking who you want to hire.)
Recruitment & Retention
Opinion
Using Social Media in Candidate Selection
There are many differing views on using social networking platforms in staffing. In my last blog I explored the different parts of the staffing process, from sourcing and recruitment to selection and hiring. Specifically, in this blog we will look at how social media is used (or not used) in selection. As a refresher, selection involves using multiple measures to pick high-quality candidates. These measures could include structured interviews, writing samples, essay questions, résumé review, previous performance, case studies, portfolio grading, knowledge testing, or screening tools like PrincipalInsight, HUMANeX Ventures, and Haberman Star Administrator. While many confuse selection and recruitment, they are actually different activities.
Recruitment & Retention
Opinion
Staffing: What It Is and Isn't!
The words recruiting, sourcing, selection, hiring, screening, posting, and staffing are often used interchangeably, but they all have different meanings and represent different parts of the larger staffing process. Even I say staffing at times when I really mean hiring. So what do these terms mean, how are they different, and where do they belong in the process? Here is a breakdown.
School & District Management
Tight Budgets Put Some Superintendents on Part-Time Status
The poor economy is reshaping superintendents' work lives, causing some to share jobs, do double duty, or work part time.
Professional Development
Opinion
December 2011 - A Busy Month on Teacher Prep
While I've said this in previous posts, anyone at any level can be a manager of talent. We know that superintendents, HR directors, principals, and mentors are all talent managers in education. But, so are professional association representatives, education reform groups, public officials, and education leadership organizations. December 2011 has been a busy month in the national conversation about educator effectiveness, and talent managers at all levels have been involved in the discussion.
Recruitment & Retention
Opinion
8 Tips to Ensure Great Onboarding
Here's a short and simple question: Does your school district have a program to onboard new employees? I frequently ask this question to groups of educators, and more often than not, I get a puzzled look in return. Then, our conversation generally goes as follows:
Recruitment & Retention
Opinion
When Brand Management Meets Talent Management
Last week, I had a very interesting conversation with a friend who is in the process of looking for a new job. She shared that she is not only interested in working for an organization with a good reputation but one that is part of a strong community. While she has had success in finding job openings in several states that offer competitive pay, benefits, and opportunities for growth, she has run into trouble trying to find information about the specific characteristics of each community.