According to EAB’s 2024 “The Voice of the Superintendent” survey, superintendents acknowledge the significance of integrating AI, but perceive it as a low priority due to various non-academic challenges.
The survey, conducted online between November 27, 2023, and January 10, 2024, gathered responses from 148 superintendents across 39 states. Among the participants, 70% had been in their jobs from one to 10 years. The majority of district makeup was suburban (52%) and rural (37%).
The survey findings indicate a rise in superintendent job satisfaction, with a 9% increase in those intending to remain in their positions for the next two years, notwithstanding exhaustion and burnout.
Although 97% of superintendents believe that schools should integrate and educate students on the responsible use of AI, only 37% presently have a plan to do so. For the rest, non-academic challenges are making it nearly impossible.
Superintendents have indicated that these major challenges have either remained constant or escalated since 2023:
- Chronic student absenteeism, cited by 63% of respondents;
- Disruptive student behaviors, 77%;
- Worsening student mental health, 76%, with 77% of superintendents blaming social media (These first three challenges have been prevalent regardless of student socioeconomic status, results show.);
- Chronic staff absenteeism, 51% instructional, and 52% non instructional (with working conditions to blame); and
- Staffing shortages, i.e., open positions, 52% instructional and 66% non instructional.
The survey concludes with three major recommendations for addressing these issues:
- Establish a leadership team dedicated to identifying solutions and spearheading implementation efforts.
- Collaborate with other districts, particularly those with proven success stories, to exchange strategies for overcoming challenges.
- Initiate a task force focused on advancing AI integration, aimed at streamlining teacher administrative responsibilities and alleviating burnout.
For more details on the survey results, please download the Executive Brief here.
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