Now in its 14th year, the Digital School Districts Survey Awards recognize commendable use of technology by school boards and districts. The awards are presented by the Center for Digital Education at the National School Boards Association’s annual conference each spring.
“This survey data has proven to be beneficial in districts throughout the country” said Dr. Kecia Ray, executive director for the Center for Digital Education. “We look forward to sharing our results in the Digital School Districts report and having this survey become the benchmark for which districts measure their digital transformation.”
“School boards are embracing technology initiatives that help them govern more effectively and empower their districts to operate more efficiently,” said Thomas J. Gentzel, executive director and chief executive officer for the National School Boards Association. “The variety of districts recognized by this survey in both size and urbanicity serve as examples for others who want to introduce innovative approaches within their communities.”
The Digital School Districts Survey awards the school boards/districts that most fully implement technology benchmarks in the evolution of digital education, as represented in the survey questions. All U.S. public school districts are eligible to participate.
View the full list of school districts honored below.
The Center for Digital Education thanks Canon Solutions for underwriting the survey and for their support of school districts across the nation.
About the National School Boards Association
The National School Boards Association (NSBA) is the leading advocate for public education and supports equity and excellence in public education through school board leadership. NSBA believes education is a civil right necessary to the dignity and freedom of the American people, and all children should have equal access to an education that maximizes his or her individual potential. The association represents state school boards associations and their more than 90,000 local school board members throughout the U.S. www.nsba.org
About the Center for Digital Education
The Center for Digital Education (CDE) is a national research and advisory institute specializing in K-12 and higher education technology trends, policy and funding. CDE provides education and industry leaders with decision support and actionable insights to help effectively incorporate new technologies in the 21st century. Learn more at: www.centerdigitaled.com
CDE is a division of e.Republic, the nation’s only media and research company focused exclusively on state and local government and education.
2017-2018 Digital School Districts Survey Awards - Congratulations!
Large Student Population District Category (12,000 students or more - in alphabetical order):Bibb County School District, GA
Broward County Public Schools, FL
Colorado Springs School District 11, CO
DeKalb County School District, GA
Flagler County Public Schools, FL
Forsyth County Schools, GA
Fullerton School District, CA
Hampton City Schools, VA
Northwest Independent School District, TX
The School District of Osceola County, FL
Richmond County Schools, GA
Roanoke County Public Schools, VA
Rock Hill Schools, SC
Rowan-Salisbury Schools, NC
Township High School District 214, IL
Wilson County School District, TN
Mid-sized Student Population Districts Category (3,000 - 12,000 students - in alphabetical order):
Austin Public Schools #492, MN
Bergenfield Public School District, NJ
Center Grove Community School Corporation, IN
Charlottesville City Schools, VA
City Schools of Decatur, GA
Encinitas Union School District, CA
Henry County Public Schools, VA
Jefferson City Schools, GA
Monroe County Schools, GA
Oconee County Schools, GA
Pickerington Local School District, OH
Rome City Schools, GA
St. Charles Parish Public Schools, LA
Tift County Schools, GA
Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools, VA
Small Student Population Districts Category (3,000 students or less - in alphabetical order):
Cedar Bluffs Public School, NE
Chickamauga City School District, GA
Coxsackie-Athens Central School District, NY
Goochland County Public Schools, VA
Greeneville City Schools, TN
Juab School District, Utah
Laguna Beach Unified School District, CA
Lenoir City Schools, TN
Lindop School District 92, IL
Mannheim School District 83, IL
Mineola Union Free School District, NY
Pewaukee School District, WI
Staunton City Schools, VA
West Platte School District, MO
Selected Survey Findings and Trends
IT Priorities for the Coming Year:1. Personalized Learning
2. Digital Content and Curriculum
3. Professional Development / Skills Training for Integrating Technology in the Classroom
4. Mobility (one-to-one and/or BYOD)
5. Upgrade Classroom Technologies
6. Student Data Privacy, including Policies
7. Networking Infrastructure Upgrades
8. Common Core/State Standards
9. Online Testing
10. Cybersecurity Policy
School Board meeting input:
• 100% provide meeting agendas online
• 97% provide minutes online
• 93% of districts provide Board meeting supporting documents online
• 73% post progress on Board goals online – updated annually as a minimum
• 91% of school board members can be contacted directly (without going through staff); 52% regularly update their social media presence and are responsive to public comments
• 88% reply to phone calls or emails within 48 hours
Governance: The district’s governance plan for student data includes the following:
• 98% of districts surveyed provide secure online access to attendance records and grades for students and parents.
• 90% of districts track student data longitudinally.
• 81% of districts have a data governance policy that ensures security and privacy of data.
• 73% of districts integrate data from multiple sources to create teacher/ management dashboards.
Distance/ Personalized Learning:
• 96% of districts provide software or digital curriculum to classrooms to encourage personalized learning practices.
• 77% of districts allow students to take fully online classes for core online credit.
• 76% of districts offer blended classes to meet core content.
• 65% of districts assess teachers on their implementation of personalized learning practices.
Mobility:
• 89% of districts use mobile devices for assessments
• 88% of districts have a mobile device policy in place.
• 80% of districts train teachers or have policies regarding how to protect student privacy when using mobile apps
Digital Content and Curriculum:
• 98% of districts use video and quiz tools; 93% use YouTube; 92% use interactive digital learning objects; 82% use digital textbooks; 68% use robotics; and 63% use digital gaming and music.
• 69% (up 10% over last year) of the districts have a digital content and curriculum strategy
• 76% of districts have a formal vetting process including administrators and educators.
• 75% of districts use OER as part of their digital content.
For questions, contact Janet Grenslitt, Director of Surveys and Awards, Center for Digital Education, jgrenslitt@centerdigitaled.com.
