What are educational leaders learning during 2020 that will produce positive, long-lasting impact on schools? School Leaders are making substantial changes to their strategic plans based on their experiences so far this year.

Dr. Ashley Berner shares valuable insights about what they've learned at the Johns Hopkins University Institute for Education Policy, including why curriculum and culture remain the foundations to achieve sustainable school growth.

We’re looking for every option available to open schools and keep them open for everyone’s benefit, and we recently learned about a new COVID/infectious disease management solution for schools offered through Educator-Resources that is actually very interesting. 

While some experts have advocated for a three-pronged approach to school competitive strategy around Price, Product, and Process, even greater market advantage is gained through the development of Proximity.
Families are far more attracted by your school's ability to form deep, emotional relationships with them than any other factor.

News that Matters to Educators:

1. Heads Conference reveals confidence in getting back to normal

2. Leaders of a small business in KY just paid $150,000 as a ransom to regain access to their computers and data

3. The U.S. is officially in a recession, and it's expected to be worse than the last one

“Just like a bad relationship, our communication has broken down. You aren’t listening,” said Shawnee Mission School District teacher Amanda Coffman back in February 2020. 

Teachers across the U.S. have been saying the same thing to administrators and school boards for many years, and the volume is even louder now after the disruptions of the 2020 pandemic. 

"Are we supposed to be thoughtful or busy?"
That important question was asked by a board member at a recent Leadership Retreat we facilitated. Balancing activity with mindfulness will always be a challenge for school leaders, especially in times of such overwhelming change and fierce competition. 

School administrators come from different professional backgrounds: Some from the classroom, some from business, some from military service, etc.

This week we celebrate two post-military service leaders who have distinguished themselves with success in growing schools into places where teachers and students can thrive.

What questions should the board use to evaluate the school's leadership in 2020, especially in light of the current societal and economic disruptions caused by the pandemic? That's an inquiry we received last week that is important for all schools to consider.

What do you know about your target market of families? Everyone has a confirmation bias that clouds objectivity and the ability to genuinely listen. Cognitive bias isn't new, but it can be a huge barrier to your ability to innovate and grow enrollment in this emerging economy. 

(See Special Offer Enrollment Growth Plan PowerPack 2020 to advance your target market genius and admissions results)

As an avid reader of the School Growth blog for many years, I thought that having Scott Barron speak at our annual board retreat would be an excellent way to inspire and challenge our board. We had no idea how fortuitous that training would be, especially what we learned about the Laws of the Grapevine, with the devastating events that unfolded over the next couple of days.