The Administrator Newsletter - July 2024

VOLUME 50 • ISSUE 1 J U LY 2 0 2 4

THE

ADMINISTRATOR

TABLE OF CONTENTS HAPPY (FISCAL) NEW YEAR!

CASTING YOUR VISION

Dr. Mike Hernandez shares some updates from the AAEA office.

Stacy DeFoor makes his introduction and offers advice for the upcoming year.

Executive Viewpoint

President’s Perspective

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Executive Viewpoint • P. 3 Safety & Wellness Segment • P. 4 President’s Perspective • P. 5 Character Connection • P. 6 Building Block • P. 6

ADMINISTRATOR SPOTLIGHT: JASON REEVES In the Spotlight this month is Jason Reeves, Assistant Principal for Alma High School.

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Administrator Spotlight • P. 7 Upcoming Events • P. 9 Asked & Answered • P. 11 CoSN • P. 11 Job Openings • P. 12 Publication Sneak Peek • P. 13

AAEA Staff

2024 Calendar of Events

Dr. Mike Hernandez Executive Director m.hernandez@theaaea.org

July

Karla Neathery Assistant Executive Director k.neathery@theaaea.org

Lenett Thrasher Assistant Executive Director l.thrasher@theaaea.org

CASBO Classes, July 11-12, 2024 Wyndham Riverfront Hotel, North Little Rock Certified Facilities Director (CFD) Classes, July 18, 2024 Crowley’s Ridge Education Service Center, Harrisburg AAEA Summer Conference, July 29-31, 2024 Marriott Hotel & Statehouse Convention Center, Little Rock

September Sharon Chuculate Fiscal Services Coordinator s.chuculate@theaaea.org

Sarah Shamburger Business Manager s.shamburger@theaaea.org

ArkASPA Fall Conference, September 24, 2024 Benton Event Center

October

Alyse Mattox Communications & Technology Specialist a.mattox@theaaea.org

ASPMA Conference, September 30-October 2, 2024 Hot Springs Convention Center

Melanie Thrasher Business Analyst m.thrasher@theaaea.org

AAEA Fall Conference, October 22, 2024 Benton Event Center

Lana Webb Administrative Specialist l.webb@theaaea.org

Rachel Blocker Administrative Assistant r.blocker@theaaea.org

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AAFC Fall Conference, September 18-20, 2024 Hot Springs Convention Center

AAGEA Conference, October 3, 2024 Benton Event Center

November AACTEA Conference, November 7, 2024 Benton Event Center

For more information, visit theaaea.org/events.

2024-2025 AAEA Board of Directors Stacy DeFoor AAEA President Assistant Superintendent, Benton

Charles Warren AAEA President-Elect Business Manager/District Treasurer, Fort Smith

Dr. Jason Reeves AAEA Secretary and AASSP President Assistant Principal, Alma

Brian Kirkendoll AAEA Past President Principal, Alma

Kelvin Gragg AASA President Assistant Superintendent, Pine Bluff

Dr. Debbie Bruick-Jones AASA President-Elect Superintendent, Bentonville

Dr. Jeremy Owoh AASA Secretary Superintendent, Jacksonville/ North Pulaski

Steven Helmick AAESP President Principal, Little Rock

Dr. Jeff Wasem AAESP President-Elect Principal, Bentonville

Shawn Rose AAESP Past President Principal, Hillcrest

Jason Selig AASSP President-Elect Principal, Lake Hamilton

Amy Marek AASSP Past President Principal, Hazen

Brandie Williams ArkASPA President Superintendent, Trumann

Kelli Cypert AACTEA President Career & Technical Administrator, ARESC

Christine Harrell AAFC President Federal Programs Coordinator, Searcy

Justin Robertson AASBO President Chief Financial Officer, Russellville

Kelsey Bailey AASBO Past President Chief Financial Officer, Little Rock

Haley Hatch AASEA President Director of Special Services, Lake Hamilton

Dr. Marcia Smith AACIA President Deputy Superintendent, Springdale

Valerie King AAGEA President Director of Gifted Programs, Siloam Springs

Bryce Bennett AAMLA President Director of Academic Assessment Services, Conway

Greg Collins ASPMA President (until Oct) Maintenance/Facilities Supervisor, Dover

Randall Bolinger ASPMA President (begin Oct) Maintenance/Facilities Supervisor, Siloam Springs

B.J. Burgess TEL-AR President Director of Technology, Greenbrier

Dr. Mike Hernandez AAEA Executive Director

2024 AAEA Corporate Sponsors Presidential

American Fidelity Assurance Co. Coryell Roofing and Construction, Inc. Curriculum Associates Educational Benefits, Inc. Lifetouch National School Studios, Inc. NIET - National Institute for Excellence in Teaching Solution Tree, Inc.

Prestigious

Bailey Education Group Cognia Just Right Reader Performance Services Renaissance Learning, Inc. School Responder

Distinguished

Capturing Kids’ Hearts Energy Systems Group Lexia Learning

Diamond

Apptegy Arkansas Public Safety Solutions Baldwin & Shell

Diamond (Continued)

ClassWallet ClearGov Edmentum Education Elements Energy Systems Group ESS First Security Beardsley Goalbook Imagine Learning Middleton, Inc. OnToCollege SmartData Dashboard Stephens, Inc. Tanium White River Services and Solutions Winsor Learning

Platinum

AAMSCO Architecture Plus, Inc. C.R. Crawford Construction, LLC Entegrity Energy Partners, LLC Hight Jackson Associates Houghton Mifflin Harcourt / NWEA Legacy Construction Management Nabholz Construction Corp.

Platinum (Continued)

Phoenix Contractors Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects Powers of Arkansas Pro Benefits Group, Inc. Progressive Technologies TRANE US, Inc.

Gold

CDI Contractors Cromwell Architects Engineers Cynergy Rehab Group IXL Learning Kinco Constructors, LLC Paragon Architecture Pearson Virtual Schools Red Comet TIPS - The Interlocal Purchasing System

Silver

Adleta American Bus Sales, Inc. Correll, Inc. French Architects, PA SEAS Varsity Tutors for Schools 2

Executive Viewpoint Dr. Mike Hernandez, AAEA Executive Director

HAPPY NEW (FISCAL) YEAR! The month of June has come to an end. I always felt like June was a time to breathe and go on vacations — a nice time to rest and reflect on the previous school year. I hope you have found some time to do this.

I spent the last few days of June going to the New Kids on the Block concert in Rogers, AR, and getting my youngest daughter’s wisdom teeth cut out. Regardless of what you do, a little time off is always good. After July 4th, our administrative wheels start to pick up steam and move full speed ahead for the upcoming school year. Seeing all the new students and staff as they return for the 2024-2025 school year will be exciting. We will also anxiously await the scores from the new ATLAS test and determine how to best support each student going forward. June is over, so bring on the new school year!

At AAEA, we have been busy making our usual visits across the state providing training in Tier I, general updates, and supporting principals. I have been able to do a couple of trainings with superintendents on supporting principals. It has been great to dive back into the LEADS rubric and discuss with district leaders how they develop goals and measure successes with their building principals. We have learned about identifying and collecting the various types of evidence and how to develop a goal for each element of the rubric. This allowed different district leaders to share ideas and consider various types of principal supports. I believe this will go a long way to helping improve the work of principals to in turn support teacher’s efforts in the classroom. We must continue to improve our practices in this everchanging environment. I know we have the right people in place leading our schools and the best is yet to come.

There are a few changes at AAEA. Mr. Mike Mertens is officially retiring but will continue to support AAEA and work some days through the coming year. Mr. Mertens has been a long-term support for administrators across our state and I appreciate his leadership and friendship. He has seen it all during his 50+ year career in education. Please join me in thanking him for his service. Dr. Karla Neathery has joined the AAEA team as of July 1st. We are excited to have someone with her background and leadership experience supporting our administrators. She has served in multiple roles such as teacher, principal, curriculum director, assistant superintendent, and superintendent. Dr. Neathery has had experiences in all areas of school leadership. I believe she will be a great addition to AAEA and will serve all of you well. Change is always hard, but it is just a part of life and we will continue to press forward in our mission of serving administrators as they improve student outcomes.

Enjoy the remainder of your summer. I know that your minds are going 90 miles an hour as we get closer to the start of school. I appreciate the work that you all do for kids. Our 49th AAEA Summer Conference is July 29-31 in Little Rock. We have a great line-up of presenters and hope to see you there. If you have not registered yet, you can find the information and the link here. Please reach out to me if I can help you with anything.

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AAEA will be exclusively using the Sched app this year for our conference schedule! Scan the QR code or visit 2024aaeasummerconference.sched.com to create your schedule in advance!

Safety & Wellness Segment Nurturing Growth: The Importance of Mentorship in K-12 Schools Submitted by Barbara Grimm, Founder and President of School Responder, and C.J. Huff, Ed.D. Mentorship plays a pivotal role in shaping the educational journey of students, particularly in K-12 schools where young minds are most impressionable. Providing personalized support tailored to the unique needs of individual students increases their academic success and creates a community of care within schools.

By nurturing a mindset of growth and instilling a passion for learning, mentorship equips students with the tools they need to excel academically. Students are empowered to overcome challenges, set goals, and stay motivated. When a mentor offers a listening ear, practical advice, or constructive feedback, students are encouraged to do their best.

One of the most significant benefits of mentorship in K-12 schools is its ability to foster a sense of belonging and community. For many students, especially those facing challenges or uncertainties, having a mentor can provide much-needed support and reassurance. Mentors serve as trusted allies and help students learn communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

Mentorship is an invaluable resource in K-12 schools and the summer months can be a great time to recruit mentors and build a mentoring program to start the new school year. By nurturing growth, fostering community, and empowering students to reach their full potential, mentorship plays a vital role in shaping the future of education and keeping our community members engaged with our youth. Learn more about school mentoring programs here.

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President’s Perspective Stacy DeFoor, AAEA Board President

CASTING YOUR VISION Hello AAEA, I would like to introduce myself and tell you how honored and excited I am to serve Arkansas administrators and the AAEA. I am beginning my third year as Assistant Superintendent at the Benton School District. Prior to that I served ten years as an elementary administrator in Conway, three years in Bigelow, and taught 3rd and 4th grade at Oak Grove Elementary in Pulaski County.

My wife, Stephanie, and I have been married for 29 years. We have three children—Caleb (23), Devin (20), and Haley (18). In my spare time, I enjoy hunting, fishing, CrossFit, and golf.

Casting your vision: As the new school year will soon be upon us, I’m sure you’ve already been thinking about your goals, needs, and previous accomplishments. I hope that you have taken the time to celebrate your accomplishments with your team so they are aware of what went well. But what made these successes possible? Whether you are a district or building level leader, we all know that effective communication is a vital part of the success of a building and/or district. When thinking of your upcoming school year and goals, have you considered how you will communicate your vision? Some thoughts about casting your vision…

1. Have you gotten feedback from others on your team?

2. What does the data tell your team?

3. What additional stakeholders need to be involved?

4. What is the best avenue for communicating your vision? (Face to face, newsletter, social media, community meetings) 5. Communicate your vision early and often. Allow others to ask questions for clarity, and revisit your vision throughout the school year.

With the many demands of daily tasks, I encourage you to make a plan to communicate your vision and follow up on it throughout the year. If you only discuss the vision at a back to school meeting and never revisit it, you may find yourself wondering why it wasn’t successful at the end of the year.

I hope you take a moment to recharge your batteries this summer. Our teachers, staff, students, and families will need us fully charged in August.

I look forward to seeing you in July at our annual AAEA Summer Conference. Please reach out to me if I can assist you in any way.

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Character Connection Start Strong, Stay Strong Submitted by Capturing Kids’ Hearts Ah, summer—the season of relaxation, beach trips, and lazy afternoons. Yet here you are, reading an article about planning and preparing for the upcoming school year. Let's face it: as educational leaders, our minds are always buzzing with ideas and strategies to make the next academic year even better for our students and staff.

One key to a successful start is the power of planning. After 30 years of supporting educators, we’ve found a few ways to help start the school year with momentum.

Begin by setting aside dedicated time to assess the previous year, celebrating successes and identifying areas for growth. Use this reflection as fuel for shaping your vision for the upcoming year, knowing that each year brings new opportunities to better meet students’ needs. Consider implementing morning greetings at the entrance on the first day of school to build connections that set a positive tone from the start. Explore monthly community-building activities that engage both staff and students to create an environment where everyone feels valued and motivated.

Imagine your school as a garden. Cultivating a positive culture is like nurturing the soil to ensure healthy growth. Student success hinges on the strength of relationships among adults in the school community.

As you soak up the summer sun, keep these ideas in mind. Soon, it'll be time to bring these plans to life. With intentional efforts, you'll set the stage for a successful and rewarding school year ahead. Stay committed to your vision, celebrate small wins, and be open to feedback and adjustments along the way. With each step, you're building a stronger, more positive environment for your students and staff.

Here's to starting strong and making a positive impact from day one! To learn more about fostering a positive school culture, visit ckh.org.

Building Block Design-Build Myths and Facts Submitted by Will Black, Business Development Manager, Performance Services In the complex design and construction world, the project delivery method can profoundly shape project outcomes. Design-build has emerged as a popular yet misunderstood procurement method amid the array of options.

Design-build projects will account for at least 47% of non-residential construction spending by 2026.

Click here to read about the myths and facts of design-build.

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Administrator Spotlight:

Jason Reeves Assistant Principal, Alma High School

Dr. Jason Reeves, Assistant Principal for Alma High School, says that despite always wanting to be a football coach, he instead pursued a bachelor's in computer science and worked as a systems/business analyst for three years before transitioning to education. He says, "I knew that you did not get 'do overs' in life, and that I would regret it if I didn't do what I felt the Lord originally called me to. So, I looked into how to become a teacher and coach and made the change."

Dr. Reeves’s first teaching position was with Darby Junior High in Fort Smith teaching 7th grade math. He also volunteered to coach football and was paid to assist with soccer at Northside High School. After a year, he moved on to Alma Middle School where he coached football and baseball and taught a variety of classes over the years. "I coached and taught in Alma for the next 12 years before knowing it was time to move to administration," he states. "My first administrator position was the assistant principal at Alma Middle School. After two years, I moved to Alma High School where I have been for the past five years and had the opportunity to work with some great people."

When it comes to his job, he says the good definitely outweighs the bad. He enjoys working with students to ensure they are able to graduate and pursue their future goals. He asserts, "Education is key to life and a high school diploma opens the door for so many options for a young man or woman. It’s an honor to be able to be a part of that." However, he says the life of an assistant principal can be difficult at times because most of the negative that happens will come to your desk. During those moments, he advises that "it is important to remember why you are here and what blessings are around you each and every day."

For anyone considering the career, he says to go for it! "Education NEEDS great people," he says. "Our students and staff NEED great people to lead by example for them. You just need to be firmly grounded in why you are here and why you are in the position you are in." He says a good piece of advice that has helped him is in his career is "If you are ever not positive on the decision to make, err on the side of the student. You can never go wrong if you are trying to help the student."

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with What might other administrators be surprised to know about you?

I run four days a week (because I like to eat) and I am somewhat OCD with it. I believe one man’s crazy is another man’s disciplined. If it is not lightning or ice covered then I can run in it. I hate running on a treadmill. I’ll do a treadmill when I can’t get outside or if I’m traveling and not really sure of my surroundings. I have also completed two full marathons.

What do you enjoy doing during your time off?

No matter what I am doing on my time off, I like it to involve my family. As a high school administrator, you have many nights and weekends where you are going to this game or that activity. When I’m not doing something for the school, I want to be home, with them. I love to eat (which is why I run) and I love watching college football. The best is when I can combine those two on a Saturday in September on my back porch relaxing, watching football, and running the smoker while the girls are swimming or playing.

What is one of the things on your “Bucket List?”

I’ve never really thought of having a “bucket list”, but I would love to travel to Israel one day and see firsthand where many of the things we read about in the Bible took place. I would love to walk where Jesus walked.

What are the goals you are still working toward?

I want to get into district leadership. I would like to be an assistant superintendent for a great district where I can learn from a great superintendent. Then, if God ordains my steps to do so, I would like to be a superintendent.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Where I see me and where the Lord sees me are two different things. I would like to be an assistant superintendent or superintendent, but ultimately, I want to be where God wants me to be. If I’m still the assistant principal at Alma High School, that’s a pretty good gig as well.

When people look back at your life, how do you want to be remembered?

I want to be remembered as a good person who was able to make the lives of those I worked with better and had a positive impact on the students and their futures. I’d like to be remembered as someone who added value to those I was around.

What do you see as the biggest benefit of AAEA membership?

The biggest benefit is being able to network with other leaders within the state. You can get new ideas on how to handle something, or you can hear of issues they are having and realize it isn’t just you and your school/district. It’s very comforting to know you can pick up the phone and call any one of numerous people who have gone through something similar or can give you advice on future decisions.

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UPCOMING EVENTS | JUL

JOIN US FOR THE 49TH ANNUAL AAEA SUMMER CONFERENCE! The 2024 AAEA Summer Conference, The Future of Education: Adapting to a Changing Landscape, will be held on July 29-31, 2024 at the Statehouse Convention Center and Marriott Hotel in Little Rock, AR. The event will feature keynote speakers, over one hundred breakout sessions from inspiring educational leaders, an exhibit hall, and hospitality events. Join administrators from across the state to network and learn new and innovative ways to support our students!

GUEST SPEAKERS Alex Kotran oversees strategy, partnerships, fundraising, and external relations for The AI Education Project (aiEDU). Prior to founding The AI Education Project, Alex built the AI Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility function for H5, Inc., a pioneering AI company in the legal services sector. At H5, Alex led strategic partnerships with organizations including the United Nations, NYU School of Law, the OECD, and IEEE to develop judicial education programs and high profile convenings.

Prior to his time in the social impact and non-profit space, Alex managed brand and policy communications for companies including Oracle, Airbnb, Nissan, HP, Adobe, and SAP. He was a lead Field Organizer in Columbus, Ohio, for the 2012 Obama Campaign and served as a Presidential Appointee under HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell, where he managed communications and community outreach for ACA Open Enrollment, two SCOTUS rulings, and the 2015 Ebola outbreak.

Dave Burgess is the New York Times Best-Selling author of Teach Like a PIRATE, co-author of P is for PIRATE, and the president of Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc. which delivers powerful, inspirational, and innovative books, keynotes, and professional development. He specializes in teaching hard-toreach, hard-to-motivate students with techniques that incorporate showmanship and creativity.

His presentations are a unique blend of outrageously energetic performance art and magic, mixed with an inspirational message of how and why to become more passionate in the classroom. All techniques and methods are modeled and fully explained so as to leave no doubt about how to apply the methods in the real-world.

Participants will leave with a tool-box full of dynamic presentational ideas that they can immediately use to improve their lessons.

As president of Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc., Dave has disrupted the publishing industry by releasing over 175 ground-breaking titles from innovative educators from across the globe. He is the co-author of P is for PIRATE and the New York Times Best-Selling author of Teach Like a PIRATE, which has sparked an educational revolution all over the world.

Register Now! 9

Register Now! Facilities Directors!

UPCOMING EVENTS | JUL

School Business Officials!

Register Now! 10

Asked & Answered Mike Mertens, AAEA Assistant Executive Director

The questions were, "Can a district give the Annual Report to the Public anytime during the school year?" and "What information is required to be in the Annual Report?"

Both questions are answered in the Rules Governing Standards of Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools. Standard 3-B.2: Each public school district board of directors shall systematically and, at least annually, explain its policies, programs, and goals to the community in a public meeting that provides opportunities for parents and other members of the community to ask questions and make suggestions concerning the school program in accordance with the laws of the State of Arkansas and DESE rules. The report shall detail the progress of the district and schools toward accomplishing program goals, accreditation standards, and proposals to correct deficiencies. The report shall be made available to the public and the public shall be notified of the meeting. The most recent report should be posted to the district website under State-Required Information.

So, the Annual Report may be given any time during the year. Also, districts have broad latitude on developing the specifics of the report as long as the report details the progress of the district and schools toward accomplishing program goals, accreditation standards, and proposals to correct deficiencies.

If you have questions for Mike, email him at m.mertens@theaaea.org.

CoSN: Support for Technology Administrators CoSN is a great resource for school technology administrators. Check this page monthly for links to articles to assist technology leaders as they navigate through digital learning transformations.

Click Here to Read About This Month’s Topics • The CoSN Resource Library • The CoSN Experience: The Ultimate Virtual Collaboration Series • CoSN Membership

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Visit arjobsined.schoolspring.com The AAEA Job Board is a calendar-year subscription that assists districts with the ever-increasing challenge of recruiting quality staff. It is a significant resource for educators, both in-state and out-of-state, seeking employment in Arkansas schools.

Over 165 school districts are participating in the program, which has been extremely helpful to schools and educators over the years. The site is used year-round and is accessed extensively during the second semester. It is not unusual to see over 400 jobs posted on the Job Board at one time. With an account, school districts may post unlimited job vacancies throughout the year.

To subscribe (by district) or to post job openings, contact Lana Webb, Administrative Specialist, at l.webb@theaaea.org or at 501-372-1691.

Job Openings District Name

Position

Maumelle Charter

Middle School Principal

Blytheville School District

Primary School Principal

Blytheville School District

Elementary School Principal

Pulaski County Special School District

Elementary Asst Principal

Woodlawn School District

Elementary Principal

Cedar Ridge School District

Superintendent

Siloam Springs School District

Elementary Asst Principal

Lavaca School District

Elementary Principal

El Dorado School District

Elementary Assistant Principal

Batesville School District

Preschool Director

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Publication Sneak Peek: Instructional Leader This segment features content from other AAEA publications. Instructional Leader is a quarterly publication available to subscribing districts. The following excerpt comes from the June 2024 issue.

VETTING APPS AND VENDORS FOR EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY Contributor: B.J. Burgess, Technology Director, Greenbrier School District Digital apps including websites, online services, applications, or mobile applications are widely used in educational technology and have become an integral part of modern classrooms, transforming teaching and learning experiences. From interactive learning platforms to educational apps, technology offers immense potential to enhance student engagement, personalize learning, and improve educational outcomes. However, with this rapid integration of technology comes the critical responsibility of school districts to vet apps and vendors effectively. Districts must ensure that students' data privacy is protected, educational standards are met, and resources are wisely invested. As artificial intelligence applications grow in popularity to enhance individualized learning, so will the increasing need for student data to be able to properly use such tools. In this article, we delve into the importance of school districts vetting apps and vendors for educational technology and provide valuable resources to facilitate this crucial process.

One of the primary concerns in the digital education landscape is the protection of student data privacy. Educational apps often collect sensitive information such as student demographics, learning progress, and behavioral patterns. School districts must ensure that any app or vendor they choose complies with relevant data privacy laws such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Further, Arkansas Act 754 of 2023 now puts some additional requirements on districts to ensure that vendors are safeguarding the privacy and security of student data.

Vetting apps and vendors involves thorough scrutiny of their data privacy policies, data security measures, and compliance with industry standards.

School districts should seek transparent disclosures 13

regarding data collection practices, data storage mechanisms, encryption protocols, and protocols for data sharing with third parties. Verifying that vendors have robust data protection measures in place is crucial to prevent potential data breaches and safeguard student privacy. One hurdle districts face is how exactly to fully vet a vendor and what data they collect and how they protect it. Most schools do not have time or the staff on hand, whether it be IT security professionals or legal counsel, to thoroughly vet individual vendor privacy policies and information security systems. When is the last time you read a website privacy policy or terms of service from start to finish? They are pretty intense.

To support school districts in the vetting process, several resources and frameworks are available: ● Common Sense Education: Provides reviews and ratings of educational apps based on criteria such as learning potential, engagement, and privacy policies. ● 1EdTech: Provides a TrustEd Apps Directory that certifies vendors that have met certain standards and also grades apps on their adherence to a rubric of best practices. ● ISTE Standards for Students: Offers guidelines for evaluating educational technology tools based on student-centered criteria such as empowerment, digital citizenship, and knowledge construction. ● Privacy Evaluation Initiative: Offers a set of rubrics and tools to assess the privacy practices of educational technology products and services. ● Education Frameworks: Align technology vetting with established frameworks such as Bloom's Taxonomy, SAMR Model, or TPACK framework to ensure educational relevance and effectiveness.

Some of these resources are paid and some are free. Whether a district chooses to use one or a combination of these, the most important step is to make a plan and procedure for your district and follow it.

Another tool that could be used to vet apps is a data privacy agreement and the vendor's willingness to sign such an agreement. The ADE pays for a membership for the A4L Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC) for all district’s in the state. This facilitates an online community to share data privacy agreements signed with vendors. If a vendor signs an agreement with a district, this essentially says the vendor is agreeing to follow proper state and federal laws applicable to student data privacy and maintain a secure infrastructure to protect that data. In addition, they agree to certain terms regarding audits, usage of data and actions required in the event of a data breach.

Districts should strive to have data privacy agreements in place for all vendor relationships that involve the sharing of student data.

Beyond data privacy, school districts must evaluate the educational quality and alignment of apps and technology vendors with curriculum standards. Not all educational apps are created equal, and some may lack pedagogical rigor or fail to align with specific learning objectives. Vetting involves assessing factors such as instructional design, learning outcomes, adaptability to diverse learning styles, and integration with existing curriculum frameworks. Districts should collaborate with educators, curriculum specialists, and technology experts to conduct comprehensive evaluations of apps and vendors. This process may include pilot testing in classrooms, soliciting feedback from teachers and students, analyzing learning analytics, and benchmarking against educational standards.

Ensuring that selected apps and vendors contribute meaningfully to teaching and learning goals enhances the overall effectiveness of technology integration in classrooms.

Effective vetting of apps and vendors also ties into financial responsibility and resource allocation.

Investing in educational technology involves substantial financial commitments, and school leaders must make informed decisions to maximize the return on investment (ROI). What if your district pays a substantial amount of money for a math curriculum that assesses student levels, tracks their progress throughout the year and estimates their performance on standardized tests. However, not

all teachers use said program and several use different online sites they found on their own. While the students may be learning the same math concepts on the free sites, the district is not getting the full benefit of the reporting of the paid software and students are not getting the benefit of the adaptive learning aspects of the more advanced application. If a district is spending money, there should be some assurance that the resource is being fully utilized. Vetting helps identify cost-effective solutions that align with budgetary constraints without compromising educational quality or data security. And having a process in place that directs teachers and staff to use preapproved apps is important. By evaluating pricing structures, licensing agreements, scalability options, and long-term support services, school districts can make strategic decisions regarding technology procurement. Collaboration with purchasing departments, financial analysts, and educational technology specialists is essential to negotiate favorable terms, assess total cost of ownership (TCO), and plan for sustainable technology adoption over time.

The importance of districts vetting apps and vendors for educational technology cannot be overstated. By safeguarding student data privacy, assessing educational quality, exercising financial responsibility, and leveraging valuable resources, school districts can make informed decisions that enhance teaching and learning experiences while following state and federal laws for data privacy.

Collaborative efforts involving educators, administrators, technology experts, and stakeholders are key to navigating the complex landscape of educational technology and ensuring positive outcomes for all students.

Interested in more from Instructional Leader? Contact our office at 501-372-1691.

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