How to Learn Your Local K12 School District Landscape

Often, parents do not understand the district landscape of their child’s school. A school bus arrives in the morning, the children disappear into it and then return in the afternoon, generally happy and having learned a new thing or two.

This is not necessarily anyone’s fault; certainly, we have a long road ahead to improve school-to-community transparency.

But knowing the right questions to ask of teachers and district leadership can best inform you on selecting an appropriate school for your child and how to fill in the many gaps inherent in the American education system.

Understanding the local K12 school district landscape also better positions you to prepare your child for the harsh realities of the world, including the competitive international landscape they will be entering.

The pandemic has shifted our communities, states, nation, and world. Schools are integral in developing necessary skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of parents and the community at large to hold local districts accountable to a standard that will ensure future generations' success.

Below is a checklist of questions teachers and administrative leadership *should* be prepared to answer so you can gauge the quality, scope, and sequence of your child’s education:

Questions About District Health

• What is the annual spending per pupil?
• What areas of the budget receive prioritized funding?
• By what margin has the budget been approved by the community each year?
• Where can I locate the school’s five most recent annual state reviews?
• What percentage of the school year is spent on state test prep?
• How does this district define civic responsibility and how is that taught to students?
• Who are the members of the Board of Education? Do they have experience in education?

Why does this matter?

If the district’s budget has been voted down or approved by only slim margins, that speaks volumes of community dissatisfaction. Likewise, if pupil expenditures are sizable, it is reasonable to inquire how exactly those dollars are distributed. Admittedly, state reviews and accountability reports of districts indicate the level of student success in the district, but only to a degree. These reports are based almost entirely on state assessments, but what’s more important are the holistic ways in which the district is preparing your child for their future, including civic responsibilities and engagement. The Board of Education is the ultimate decision-making authority for the district, so if there are members who have experience in the field of education, that is a bonus.

Questions About Teachers

• Are all teachers in this district properly educated and certified in the subjects they teach?
• What is the annual teacher and administrator turnover rate?
• On average, how many days per month are students taught by a substitute teacher?
• What is the average teacher-student ratio?
• How often are teachers provided professional development opportunities?
• How often do teachers meet at the same grade level (horizontal alignment) and at grade levels above and below (vertical alignment?)

Why does this matter?

If a school has an above-average teacher and/or administrator turnover rate, that translates into some iteration of steady chaos. Students thrive within consistency. High staff turnover is indicative of poor morale and lackluster district leadership.

Also, all teachers should hold appropriate certifications. If not, that could mean the district is having trouble not only retaining, but recruiting, top talent. Smaller teacher-student ratios may or may not indicate a higher degree of attention paid to your student in class. It should be noted that highly qualified and experienced teachers will be effective regardless of class size.

While districts should offer consistent, high-level professional development to teachers to keep them informed of advancements in the field, remember that professional development means substitute teachers in your child’s classroom. Look for a healthy balance.

Horizontal and vertical alignment means teachers are highly organized and communicate often about standards, assessments, and instructional pacing.

Questions About the Day-to-Day

• Can you briefly describe the daily routine within this building?
• Do children sit at tables or desks? In any particular formation? Why?
• What is the homework policy?
• Are there extended hours before and after school?
• Who greets students at the door each day?

Why does this matter?

Block scheduling may be good for immersive educational experiences but can be exceptionally trying for students with short attention spans. Additionally, the formation of a teacher’s classroom speaks volumes about their instructional methods. If students are in groups, the classroom is likely collaborative. If the setup is desks in rows, the style is more likely lecture-based.

Homework serves a valid purpose regarding communication with parents and developing a sense of responsibility in students. Ideally, homework is given in a reasonable yet challenging amount. Extended school hours provide additional time for academic help and extracurricular activities.

Questions About Course Offerings and Curriculum

• How often are parent-teacher conferences and/or open houses offered?
• What elective courses are available?
• Is there a language immersion program?
• How are specific learning needs accommodated? (ex: advanced classes, tutoring, ELL, etc...)
• How often are students assessed in each course and grade level?

Why does this matter?

In this global age, access to electives and secondary languages is crucial. If a district offers little to no options in this regard, it could speak to staffing and funding issues. Worse yet, the school may not see the value in preparing kids with these advantages. As with many things, actions speak louder than words in this regard. Courses offered to students should reflect a variety of student academic ability, from advanced placement to remedial courses. It’s also important to ask how often students are assessed. Some districts require teachers to assess weekly, while others are project-based. Assessment is important to monitor student progress and convey that progress to parents and stakeholders, but assessments shouldn’t be over-done without justification.

Questions About Behavior Expectations

• May I review the code of conduct for students?
• What philosophy of discipline is subscribed to in this district?

Why does this matter?

Districts have widely different philosophies regarding expectations and discipline. I’ve seen districts range from restorative justice to a firm three-strikes policy. Ask questions so you are on the same page from the beginning with teachers and administrators. This could prevent miscommunication and hurt feelings in the future.

Questions About Support

• How is a student's individuality celebrated and respected?
• How is it determined a student is in need of interventions, academically or otherwise?
• Are parents encouraged to observe classes?
• How many counselors and social workers are available for students?
• How are social-emotional supports provided to students throughout the day?

Why does this matter?

At some point, every student will experience obstacles, setbacks, and identity crises. This is typical, but how will the school assist them during these trying times? There should be a well-staffed guidance department with professional support staff to support students as needed. Teachers should play a key role in teaching and modeling appropriate social responses, as well as trained to identify mental health crises or issues if a student presents with them. Most schools are not keen on parents coming in to observe classes, but this is a regular practice in Japan. It’s worth asking because if a district welcomes you with open arms, they are a keeper!

Questions About Communication

• How often (and in what format) will teachers communicate student progress to parents?
• How are the values and mission of this district reflected in each classroom?
• What are the expectations of parent involvement?
• Is there a PTA or equivalent I can participate in?

Why does this matter?

Parents should be kept informed of their children’s progress regularly. Ask if teachers send regular email updates or make phone calls home. Simply reporting a child’s progress every 10 weeks on a report card is simply not enough. A lot happens during that time and parents should be a voice in those important conversations. Most all schools have posted mission and value statements on their website, but to what degree do they uphold them? They should be able to point out how they put these ideals into action. There should also be ample opportunities for parents to be involved in their children’s educational experiences.

Questions About Technology

• What technology platforms are used district-wide?
• Are parents welcome to join these platforms?
• Do you have supporting research to show the effectiveness of these tools?
• Why did you choose these platforms?
• How often do you assess the effectiveness of these platforms?

Why does this matter?

Children are digital natives. Now more than ever, screen time concerns and potential impacts are at an all-time high. EdTech corporations make billions selling their products to districts, but who is to say those products are assisting in student learning? It is imperative to ask district leadership how they vetted the platforms they utilize. It is not beneficial to parents if every teacher utilizes different technologies. Seek districts that offer you, as a parent, consistency.

Conclusion

K12 district landscapes vary tremendously across the United States due to state and local control. While everyone wants their children to love school and enjoy learning, it is ultimately the responsibility of parents and the community at large to demand excellence and transparency from their local public schools.

Additionally, it is imperative to teach children the value of their education. Too often, I hear stories from adults who say they wished they paid more attention in school. Make sure children are fully aware of why school is important to you, them, and even the greater society for them to thrive in school. A growth mindset is the greatest gift you can give your children.

With all of this said, there is more to K12 school district landscapes than academics. Making friends, learning social skills, collaboration, conflict resolution, recognizing mistakes, and embracing unexpected challenges all prepare children for a successful launch into adulthood.