Dive Brief:
- K12 Insight's new guide, "The School Leader’s Definitive Guide to Quality Customer Service," stresses the importance of schools listening and responding to feedback from parents and community members.
- Because public schools are losing students to charter and other alternative schools, they must ensure that the students and families they serve are informed, engaged and satisfied.
- The new guide sets out best practices, following on the heels of another K12 guide on social media use for school leaders.
Dive Insight:
When it comes to customer service, the Fort Wayne Community School District in Indiana is usually highlighted by District Administration as a success story. The district serves 31,000 students, and it tried to remain competitive by offering excellent “customer service” to students and their families.
Fort Wayne Superintendent Wendy Robinson previously said that one thing districts need to keep in mind is making sure that all school staff who interact with the public receive related professional development. "Every community member should know that you are committed to listening and responding to their concerns,” Robinson has said.
She also suggests a cloud-based "listening station," Let’s Talk!, designed specifically for K-12 schools, to respond to community feedback. Kent district in Washington state, on the other hand, has unveiled interactive kiosks, located in low-income communities, to help inform parents about school news and information.
