Burbio School Tracker 7/28: Never Say Cost Savings

1. This quarter, Burbio is launching a district-level K-12 Curriculum Tracker covering curriculum usage and adoptions nationwide. The Tracker includes curriculum type (initially ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies) and tracks districts from early consideration through pilot programs to adoption. The chart below provides an early look at the market share of select ELA curriculum providers across more than 500 California districts:

2. In our review of Artificial Intelligence initiatives in school districts via Burbio's Signals Tracker, we have yet to see AI described as a cost-saving initiative. Instead, board discussions focus on investments in training, implementation, governance, and responsible use. At the same time, districts are increasingly deploying AI to improve operational efficiency. Examples include:

• Scheduling and resource coordination. Some districts are adopting AI tools to automate scheduling and resource allocation, reducing administrative coordination and manual workflows.

• Chronic absenteeism monitoring. Districts are implementing AI platforms that automatically identify students at risk of chronic absenteeism, reducing the need for manual attendance review.

• Back-office operations. At least one district paired a discussion of AI-driven administrative efficiencies with the approval of additional cybersecurity measures, reflecting that AI implementation is often accompanied by broader technology investments.

• Family and community communications. AI-powered chatbots are being deployed to handle routine parent and community inquiries, freeing staff from repetitive tasks.

• Transportation and logistics. A handful of districts are exploring AI-assisted transportation planning and route optimization, suggesting another opportunity for efficiency gains.

• HR and workforce planning. AI is beginning to influence workforce planning, from superintendent search firms incorporating AI into recruitment processes to boards discussing its role in staffing strategy, recruitment and retention strategy.

3. Burbio offers both an API and a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for accessing the PreK-12 Intelligence Hub. The MCP enables clients to use LLMs to analyze Burbio's district intelligence alongside their own data, uncovering targeted opportunities through natural-language queries. Below are early-stage athletic facility projects identified using the MCP:

• Oconee County Schools, GA, has begun planning new athletic fields. District staff have met with engineers to evaluate the property and determine the most effective layout.

• Mendota Township HSD 280, IL, is reviewing plans for an athletic facility that may be funded by a private donor.

• Union County Public Schools, NC, is evaluating architectural plans for a new field house at one of the district’s high schools.

• Yakima School District, WA, is seeking community input as it prioritizes and sequences bond-funded construction projects, including playground improvements, softball field upgrades, track resurfacing, and related infrastructure work.

• Stafford County Public Schools, VA, is exploring track and field space options to offset the impacts of a nearby elementary school construction project.

4. Burbio's foundational datasets include continuously refreshed district-level contact data for use in district outreach. Below, we profile the variety of ways districts designate assessment and accountability administrators. This is one of the most fragmented titles in K-12. Here are top titles:

While titles are highly fragmented, seven terms are commonly used to describe the position. The chart below shows the percentage of titles containing each term. Note that many titles include two terms (e.g., "Director of Data and Assessment," "Director of Testing and Accountability")