Budget restrictions, culture top reasons for digital transformation in schools

As important as technology is for schools, digital transformation remains “a work in progress” as k-12 schools battle budget restrictions, culture, and lack of strategy.  The results are revealed in the 2023 THE Journal Digital Transformation Survey. The survey features 237 responses from K-12 schools and districts in U.S. about digital transformation. Participants were technology leaders and school staff.

Almost half of those surveyed cited budget restrictions as the primary obstacle to digital transformation. Other challenges include institutional culture, lack of clarity on what digital transformation means and lack of buy-in. Based on responses alone, K-12 IT leaders and administrators (non-IT) had different opinions about obstacles delaying digital transformation in schools.  K-12 IT leaders cited  institutional culture and lack of buy-in. Administrators noted budget restricts and security concerns as top reasons.

Full results of the survey are:

• Budget restrictions - 49.66 percent
• Digital literacy among students, staff, faculty – 37.93 percent
• Lack of clarity on what digital transformation means to the institution – 26.90 percent
• Culture, lack of buy-in – 32.41 percent
• Lack of institutional strategy – 22.76 percent

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