Park City, Utah, September 17, 2024

New Era Superintendents: A Commitment to Academic Excellence

New Era Superintendents, an innovative initiative founded by Matt Kinnaman, a prominent edtech entrepreneur based in Park City, Utah, is passionately dedicated to enhancing academic proficiency in essential subjects like math and reading across the United States. The organization aims to bridge the gap between school leaders—especially superintendents—and the cutting-edge strategies and resources provided by various companies and organizations within the educational technology sector. By doing so, New Era Superintendents is on a steadfast mission to elevate academic success for students nationwide.

The Genesis of New Era Superintendents

The inspiration behind this remarkable startup stemmed from Kinnaman’s extensive experience with District Administration Magazine, a leading publication in the K-12 edtech landscape. During his tenure at the District Administration Leadership Institute, he was pivotal in forging sponsorships and partnerships with several educational technology companies, inviting them to engage with the community. A landmark event, The Superintendents Summit, was launched in 2010, setting a progressive tone for educational leadership.

Over the years, the popularity of District Administration’s events surged, culminating in seven Summit events annually, each supported by a network of ten dedicated EdTech partners. These dynamic conferences typically attracted up to 600 superintendents across the U.S. at an annual basis. “Throughout that decade with DA, I immersed myself in the realms of education leadership, edtech brokering, and fostering platforms for substantive conversations,” Kinnaman reflected.

Adapting to Challenges: The Impact of COVID-19

In May 2018, significant changes occurred when LRP Publications acquired Professional Media Group, the parent organization of District Administration. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the halting of Kinnaman’s plans to organize a similar initiative, the dire state of academic achievement post-pandemic reignited his passion for creating a solution.

The repercussions of the pandemic unveiled alarming declines in academic progress and rigor. “During the pandemic, we witnessed an urgent crisis facing American education, but this issue has been brewing for over 40 years with far too many students exiting the education system without adequate skills in reading and math,” Kinnaman stated. “Our national performance in these crucial subjects is abysmal. We are genuinely in a state of crisis.”

Kinnaman approached his friend, Dr. Quintin Shepard, who serves as the Superintendent of Pflugerville ISD—home to a diverse student body of 25,000—for input on a transformative idea. “What if every decision made by a superintendent prioritized the goal of ensuring that every student achieves proficiency in math and reading?” Kinnaman posed. Dr. Shepard’s enthusiastic response to this vision laid the foundation for the inception of New Era Superintendents.

Mission and Vision Established

Founded in late 2021 with a strong emphasis on bolstering reading and math achievements, Kinnaman officially kicked off the company’s first major event in April 2022 at ASU+GSV, a preeminent conference in the edtech sector. The event featured four well-attended sessions, bringing together superintendents from across the nation to discuss strategies and challenges in their shared mission for improvement.

Growing Support and Community Engagement

Currently, New Era Superintendents boasts over 300 members, with Kinnaman optimistic about future growth and expansion. “We are poised for significant growth opportunities that will generate revenue and, most importantly, facilitate our mission of enhancing proficiency in math and reading. We are unique in our singular focus,” Kinnaman commented as he leads his team to make an impactful difference in education.

The organization extends invitations to edtech companies to collaborate with superintendents and endorse New Era’s mission of advancing student achievement. “Superintendents must be well-informed about not only the available edtech resources but also the costs, deployment strategies, and training possibilities associated with each solution. Crucially, they need guidance on integrating these ideal resources into their districts effectively,” he added, emphasizing the need for comprehensive understanding.

A Supportive Network of Advisors

New Era Superintendents is grounded in its advisory team, consisting of experienced professionals from the edtech realm who collectively bring invaluable insights to this innovative initiative. The organization is eager to welcome new partners who are willing to take bold leadership risks and implement novel strategies to achieve academic excellence.

Upcoming Events and Future Initiatives

The next major in-person gathering of New Era Superintendents is scheduled for September 18-20, followed by plans for an AI & Achievement Summit slated for late 2024 or early 2025, with additional events on the horizon to further propel its mission.

Enhancing Clarity with AI legalese decoder

In the intricate landscape of educational partnerships and resource acquisition, legal complexities can often pose a significant hurdle. This is where AI legalese decoder comes into play. By using advanced AI algorithms, this tool simplifies legal jargon, making agreements and contracts more understandable for superintendents and educational leaders. This simplification not only aids in quick decision-making but also empowers leaders to focus on strategic initiatives, like improving math and reading proficiency, without getting bogged down by dense legal language.

For further information on New Era Superintendents and their groundbreaking work, please visit their website.