As we approach the end of another year, the top challenges for school administrators remain largely unchanged. While challenges related to the pandemic are subsiding, other challenges as a result of the pandemic, namely extreme teacher shortages, continue to be a growing problem. Protecting student data and enacting the right policies and procedures to address student data privacy are also a huge challenge for school administrators, as well as IT leaders. And finding ways to evolve school curriculums to reflect the changing demands of the workforce requires innovative and creative approaches.

Addressing Teacher Shortages

Addressing teacher shortages is one of the top challenges administrators will face in the next few years. The two-pronged approach required to address this issue – increasing retention and attracting new teachers – is only partially in the control of the administration. Right now, there are fewer students choosing to go into the teaching profession, so there are systemic issues that can only be addressed through community and congressional action that ensure higher teacher pay and improved teacher support systems. At the district level, however, administrators can retain and attract educators by offering four things:

1. A seat at the table when decisions are being made about curriculum
2. A pathway to career development
3. Support in and out of the classroom
4. Tools that make managing education easier

Protecting Student Data

Data security in schools will be an ongoing discussion. Cyber criminals continue to find new ways to attack critical infrastructures; schools and other organizations must continue to find ways to thwart them. But there are specific actions schools can take to better protect their data:

1. Enact policies that require every person who works in or with your school to complete regular and ongoing cybersecurity training.
2. Insist on multi-factor authentication to access your network.
3. Employ the use of an all-in-one school system.

Evolving School Curriculums

CTE programs can be a great way to instill the technical knowledge K-12 students will need. But the future of education is not just about technology; it’s also about teaching the soft skills that students will need to navigate the future workforce. There are several edtech solutions that can help in that regard.

Being a school administrator demands a lot of responsibility, and these upcoming and ongoing challenges for administrators will require the partnership of vendors, the community, the government, parents, and students. Lumen Touch is here to help. Our goal is to connect every student to opportunity.

To learn more about how Lumen™ Touch empowers the future of learning, get in touch. Email us at sales@lumentouch.com, call us at 816.880.0066, or visit www.lumentouch.com.