What are effective strategies for school administrators to adapt to changing educational policies?

It is important to prioritize understanding the policy context, integrating it into daily tasks, and advocating for professional development to ensure a seamless alignment with changing educational policies. Broaden understanding through the relationship beyond education policy to include social impact context in order to stay culturally informed and active.

With multiple states implementing ESA programs, expanding charter laws, and microschools on the rise, districts have more competition for both students and educators than ever. There is a real opportunity for new learning models and flexibility to compete well for both. It will take understanding how students learn best and providing the best value proposition- access to career pathways, early exploration of careers, and at least a component of competency-based learning so students have agency over their learning. Additionally, understanding that new educators entering the workforce are motivated by different incentives and providing those incentives will draw them in to your district. Innovation will attract families and educators!

With the coming end to ESSER funds, it is a critical time to look back at history. In 2009 the education market saw a similar influx of cash through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). There are clear examples of hard decisions that had to be made, and districts that handled it gracefully, and those who didn’t. Administrators always have to make hard decisions, sometimes decisions that are not politically favorable, but when it is for the good of the community and means something like a hiring freeze vs layoffs, it will be hard but ultimately will help the workforce. Most administrators today were not in their position 10 years ago, so a look back at history can help better navigate the coming funding “cliff” and landscape.

I’m not addressing the novices here but the experienced administrators. Being engaged in an ongoing processes such as research studies on effectiveness of the practices in the system. In particular, listening and monitoring what the staff members, parents and students are saying in their local goes a long way. The students all have their unique ways of learning stemming upon experience, home life, expectations and biological deportment. Some policies may support what the students need and should be explored for effectiveness. Weeding out the unfit should not be experimental and that is where experience matters. Teaching and Learning is never stagnant nor does it devoid of pitfalls but being cognizant of what works and doesn’t is the key.