3 KEY BUILDING BLOCKS FOR DEVELOPING DEEPER LEARNING 

This RAND report, based on surveys administered to American School District Panel member district leaders, focuses on elements that promote students’ critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. To develop these abilities in youth, district leaders reported three essential building blocks: allotting educator collaboration time for setting goals and working backward from those goals, high-quality teacher training combined with modeling and coaching, and student progress monitoring that includes collaboration among teachers and staff to examine student work.
bit.ly/4hvQQaw 

88% OF COMPUTER SCIENCE TEACHERS WANT ONGOING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

According to a report on the state of computer science education, 88% of computer science teachers agreed they need professional learning to teach effectively with and about artificial intelligence. The report, from a coalition of organizations promoting coding and computer science literacy, also notes that schools may need help to employ qualified computer science teachers. The report goes on to say that schools can successfully bring computer science to all students through alternative solutions such as integrating computer science into other subject areas, virtually connecting to courses in neighboring districts, using state virtual schools, or leveraging dual enrollment course opportunities.
bit.ly/3NUcWG6

20% SUPERINTENDENT TURNOVER IN LARGEST U.S. DISTRICTS

ILO Group, a woman-founded national education strategy and policy firm, released findings from its Superintendent Research Project. It found that between July 2023 and July 2024, 100 of the top 500 largest U.S. school districts experienced a 20% leadership turnover rate, similar to the prior year. This exceeds the turnover rate cited in earlier years, which was 14% to 16%. ILO Group researchers also found that women hold 30.4% of superintendencies despite filling nearly eight in 10 teaching positions and more than half of the principal jobs. When positions open, men replace men seven out of 10 times, and men replace women six out of 10 times. bit.ly/3CdasjD

2 ILLINOIS SURVEYS DIG INTO RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT

Two Illinois educator surveys revealed a mismatch in perceptions of what causes educator shortages. In one survey, 3,478 educators — 47% former educators and 77% currently working — consider quality relationships with leaders a vital factor in staying or leaving the field. In a second survey, 50% of the 756 respondents thought insufficient compensation was responsible for educator departures, and 49% said it was due to demanding workloads. The data reflected the importance of these relationships. 63% of current educators reported having supportive relationships with leaders, while this was true for only 36% of former educators. 40% of both educators and leaders agreed that their compensation was fair. Beyond the structural factors of pay and workload, the researchers underscore the importance of simultaneously developing and retaining good leaders and educators and that investing in relationships is essential.
bit.ly/40y4NPi

480+ DISTRICT ADMINISTRATORS REFLECT ON ESSER FUNDING

Researchers from McKinsey & Company polled school administrators about how they used Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds. More than 480 public and charter school district administrators responded, representing a variety of district sizes and family income levels. In reflecting on spending, many school district leaders reported wishing they had spent more on a series of interventions that addressed pandemic impacts, including retaining and supporting the professional learning of teachers and staff. Overall, 75% of respondents believe their allocation of stimulus funds was effective in achieving their goals over the past three years.
mck.co/48BKLVN

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