The Downtown School is a small school that takes a unique approach to school management – all faculty and staff also serve an administrative role. In addition to a strong sense of ownership, the approach lends to an immersion in school data by everyone, leading to better strategy and positive outcomes.

Data security is especially critical, including when using AI to assist with data analysis (though there are ways to do so responsibly, e.g., via API and special arrangements with the AI providers).

The model is scalable (e.g., a department could adopt this approach as opposed to the entire school) as well as flexible.

Also discussed was the work of the Center for Institutional Research at Independent Schools (CIRIS) and new AI-related initiatives they have coming.

Resources

• Harpertech.io
• The Downtown School
• CIRIS
• Data-Informed Decision Making: A Guide to Institutional Research in Independent Schools
• Canvas by Instructure
• ChatGPT
• Claude AI
• FERPA
• COPPA
• NAIS events
• ATLIS AI Resource Hub
• ATLIS content - AI
• ATLIS content - Independent School Governance and Leadership
• Visit Seattle

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