The pandemic is creating what some have referred to as a “new normal” for school districts. Teachers have been forced to seamlessly integrate technology into their instructional practices, interaction with parents has been enhanced, and competition for students has increased due to the introduction of micro schools and other forms of flexible learning models.
Although most believe school districts will bounce back to a more “traditional” educational format post-pandemic, it will never be the same as it was before. The reality is superintendents and other school leaders need carve out time to conceptualize (collaboratively) how a post-pandemic school system might look. As Peter Drucker, well known business consultant said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” So, here a few thoughts regarding how superintendents and other school leaders might focus that task.
Enhanced Communication and Customer Service:
School districts have not always been expert in communicating with parents and providing quality customer service. The elementary level typically does better than high school, but if school districts are going to compete in a post-pandemic landscape, where educational options abound, they must get better at these components.
The key being that school districts must become more communicative, and customer focused to survive. Although our primary focus is providing a quality education, we must also realize that students and families have an increasing number of options. If we are going to be their choice, we must redouble our efforts in these areas.
Non-Traditional Options:
Post-pandemic, a percentage of parents (and students) will desire the non-traditional options they have had available or observed in their region. To compete, school districts must become increasingly nimble, creative, and focused on innovation. The days of reacting to education market innovations must give way to taking a leadership position. I think this is different in every community, but school districts must seek to understand how parents view K-12 education today, and start to develop quality programmatic options which will serve these needs.
The challenge is that simultaneously superintendents, and other school leaders, must both “see & start creating the future”, while maintaining the traditional system. It is the nuance of this vision, and transition, which will separate the successful from those who will be left behind.
Technology Integration:
It is amazing how quickly and effectively educators, and society, have increased their tech skills. Most of us didn’t know what Zoom was prior to the pandemic, and we only had a passing knowledge of Google’s G Suite. Now, these are tools which drive the everyday lives of educators, students, and even the business world.
The question is how does a post-pandemic school district move forward from here? Chromebooks, through funding sources like the CARES Act, have become ubiquitous, and transformative conversations are taking place around the digital divide, and increased Internet access.
It seems that school districts will want to engage teachers, and parents, in conversations (virtual town halls?) related to what worked well with tech integration during the pandemic, with an eye toward how this might impact the future. Clearly the options are endless from academic intervention services, to parent/teacher conferences, to community presentations. Frankly, the sky is the limit, and although each school district context will be unique, it seems clear that the use, and integration of technology will change how we operate moving forward.
I hope this post spurs thought for you as you think about how to “create” a post-pandemic school district. Please place your feedback and ideas in the comment section below, and as always, we all gain when we interact and share with each other.
Your words are going to prove to be very true.
Thanks, Howard. Hopefully districts will take the time to “create” an effective post-pandemic school district. Many challenges, but tons of opportunity too!
My mother used to say, “la necesidad hace el maestro,” essentially, “necessity is the mother of mastery, solutions, and innovation.” These themes, computer guided learning, flexible learning, hybrid learning, choice options, and responsive customer service have been pushing us to adapt for years, and the pandemic just accelerated it. It is up to us to embrace it to thrive in the post pandemic world.
Great points, Manny. Your mother was a wise lady! The themes outlined are not new, but rather have accelerated as a result of the pandemic. Hopefully districts can take a leadership position in figuring out these next steps.