Report: Many Schools Have Implemented Common Core, Lack Bandwidth for Tests

In districts that have adopted the Common Core State Standards, 95.7 percent of schools have already implemented the standards or are in the process of doing so, while the remaining 4.3 percent are still in the planning stage, according to a new survey of public school principals. However, only 53.6 percent report that they have sufficient bandwidth to conduct online assessments.

The report, "4th Annual Principals' Assessment of Public Education," was conducted by MCH Strategic Data in partnership with edWeb.net and surveyed more than 500 elementary, middle and high school principals from across the country. According to a news release from MCH Strategic Data, the survey is "designed to track trends within K-12 schools" and "provide a snapshot of the current state of schools as they implement Common Core and college and career readiness standards, develop student data privacy policies and establish a better understanding of what constitutes 21st century learning."

The report found that a primary concern for public school principals is sufficient access to technology for curriculum and instruction. Implementation of Common Core State Standards and preparation for PARCC and Smarter Balanced online assessments are the primary driving forces behind technology purchases for 58.6 percent of principals.

Additional key findings from the survey include:

  • 53.6 percent of schools reported they have sufficient bandwidth for online assessments, 23.8 percent do not, and 22.6 percent said they aren't sure how they will meet the requirements for online assessments;
  • 24.2 percent of principals said they plan to purchase increased bandwidth, 12.1 percent saidd they plan to purchase mobile devices, and 63.6 percent plan to purchase both;
  • 76.4 percent of teachers use online collaboration and professional tools;
  • 48.2 percent of teachers use both school and personal technology to access services and tools, and 42.9 percent use primary school technology for professional purposes;
  • 90.7 percent of districts reported they have written policies intended to protect student data; and
  • 54.7 percent of principals told researchers they are not concerned about their network security and loss of student data, while 45.3 percent have security concerns.

The complete report is available as a free PDF download from MCH Strategic Data's site.

About the Author

Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • students using digital devices, surrounded by abstract AI motifs and soft geometric design

    Ed Tech Startup Kira Launches AI-Native Learning Platform

    A new K-12 learning platform aims to bring personalized education to every student. Kira, one of the latest ed tech ventures from Andrew Ng, former director of Stanford's AI Lab and co-founder of Coursera and DeepLearning.AI, "integrates artificial intelligence directly into every educational workflow — from lesson planning and instruction to grading, intervention, and reporting," according to a news announcement.

  • toolbox featuring a circuit-like AI symbol and containing a screwdriver, wrench, and hammer

    Microsoft Launches AI Tools for Educators

    Microsoft has introduced a variety of AI tools aimed at helping educators develop personalized learning experiences for their students, create content more efficiently, and increase student engagement.

  • laptop displaying a red padlock icon sits on a wooden desk with a digital network interface background

    Reports Point to Domain Controllers as Prime Ransomware Targets

    A recent report from Microsoft reinforces warns of the critical role Active Directory (AD) domain controllers play in large-scale ransomware attacks, aligning with U.S. government advisories on the persistent threat of AD compromise.

  • Two hands shaking in the center with subtle technology icons, graphs, binary code, and a padlock in the dark blue background

    Two Areas for K-12 Schools to Assess for When to Work with a Managed Services Provider

    The complexity of today’s IT network infrastructure and increased cybersecurity risk are quickly moving beyond many school districts’ ability to manage on their own. But a new technology model, a partnership with a managed services provider, offers a way forward for schools to overcome these challenges.