The 2016 Digital Curriculum Strategy Survey and Assessment Tool is now available and online. The Learning Counsel survey tool was created to assist executives and curriculum and technology directors to assess readiness for greater transition to digital curriculum and content. The insight that can be gained on where a district or school stands and what’s really going on can give stability and renewed vision to where an organization needs to go from here. Educators can log in at learningcounsel.com to start the assessment.

"As our district was transitioning to digital content it was critical to conduct a needs assessment early in the program planning and development process. Without understanding the needs, interests, and objectives of our current state, we would not be able to provide the vision and resources that effectively meet the needs of our district,” stated Kahle Charles, Executive Director of Curriculum Department of Assessment, Curriculum and Instruction at Saint Vrain Valley Schools. “The Learning Council’s 2015 Digital Curriculum Strategy School Assessment Tool & Survey proved to be a valuable tool with this process! Through the survey, we were able to understand the extent of our digital content implementation, identify the gaps in our implementation of digital content, and gather the information about next steps in our action plan. This also provided a great opportunity to engage current staff members in the planning and implementation process."

View a Photo Gallery of the 2015 National Awards Event

In its third year, the assessment tool and survey was inspired by the Learning Counsel Digital Curriculum Strategy Discussion Meetings, held in 54 cities across the U.S. “Every district and school executive, curriculum director or innovations specialist we met, no matter which city we were in, were running into similar frustrations, funding barriers, and PD problems,” said LeiLani Cauthen, CEO and Publisher of the Learning Counsel. “Our friends—all the executives and instructors in education who we meet on the road ask us pointed questions about strategy and tactics, which companies to look at and best tools to use. They have all types of random hardware products, subscription sites, apps, digital content, and systems are being used in an unaligned and disorganized manner. The survey was created for them.”

Past Assessment Findings

The survey findings over the years show an acceleration of the transition “curve” towards full 1:1 or BYOD, along with heavier focus on instructor PD, tech support and network infrastructure build out. Further findings from the 2015 survey included: the number one intention of district executives when it came to digital curriculum transformation: 1) to achieve greater instructor effectiveness. This was followed by, 2) increased student engagement; 3) project-based learning for student instruction; 4) personalized learning; and 5) intervention for struggling students.

“The national perspective that the Learning Counsel provides regarding digital transformation has proven invaluable as we have embarked on this journey,” said Janell McClure, Director of Digital and Multimedia Learning at Cobb County Schools (GA). “By sharing information, processes, and research that contribute to a successful transition, the Learning Counsel has helped education leaders chart a course that includes actionable data and current trends. The survey results guide our work as we continue to strive for excellence in teaching and learning through digital platforms, tools, and practices.”

From a practical perspective, the 2016 survey and assessment tool focuses on the factors which have been found as the common transition pain points across the nation:

  • Digital Curriculum Policy
  • Transition barriers
  • Next steps to move an initiative forward
  • Network infrastructure and readiness for day-to-day operations
  • Curriculum coverage
  • Instructional models and instructional practices
  • Professional development
  • The Impact of digital curriculum use
  • OER versus paying for fully complete publisher products

National Award Winning Schools & Districts

Ten schools will be chosen from the results of the survey to be awarded based on their strategy, development and execution along any point of the digital transition continuum, no matter when they started their program for change. These winning schools will be invited to join the Learning Counsel at the Gathering and National Awards event ceremony in Orlando, Florida on November 14th and 15th to honor their achievements. Invited participants include: Senior education leaders, especially curriculum and technology executives or teams.