OVERVIEW 2013–2014 NAIS TREND BOOK
These key trends are covered:
The Economic Outlook
• TheU.S. economy continues its slow climb out of recession.
• Economic recovery varies a great deal by region, with many metro areas that
have large concentrations of independent schools still struggling.
• Government spending cuts due to sequestration are having a big effect on
some local economies.
The Demographic Outlook
• Asians represent the largest group of new immigrants to the United States,
and Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial group in the country.
• For the first time in nine decades, cities are growing faster than suburbs in
some major metro areas.
• Americans are better educated than ever before,with more adults attaining
at least a bachelor’s degree.
The Financial Aid Outlook
• Independent school financial aid budgets increased dramatically over the
past decade.
• Discount rates are dropping, yielding greater net tuition revenue among students in the aid pool.
• Budgeting for financial aid is becoming more complex as administrators
must learn to evaluate recession-related financial circumstances.
The Philanthropy Outlook
• Female Baby Boomers give significantly more to charity than their male
counterparts.
• Philanthropic giving varies dramatically by state, city, and even zip code.
• High turnover and lengthy vacancies are common in non-profit development.
The Governance Outlook
• Governance scandals in the news have prompted calls for greater transparency and accountability for boards.
• NAIS surveys reveal that school heads and boards are aligned closely on strategic issues.
• Key measures have been identified to spur improvement among boards.
The School Safety Outlook
• In the wake of the Newtown shooting, parents are fearful for their children’s
physical safety.
• Schools have renewed their focus on security planning.
• Many schools are considering a threat assessment model to improve safety.
The Student Health Outlook
• The number of food allergies amongU.S. children is increasing.
• Diagnoses of ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder are on the rise, and the
services that these students receive in public schools may be declining due
to budget constraints.
• Greater awareness of the effects of concussions is leading to more legislation.
The Equity and Justice Outlook
• Transgender children and those who don’t fit prescribed gender roles are
more likely to be bullied, more likely to suffer from depression, and more
likely to use alcohol or drugs.
• Laws have been evolving to include transgender issues.
• Independent schools are trying to be more welcoming for all students and
faculty.
The School Climate Outlook
• Independent school students report high levels of academic pressure from
parents, teachers, and, most intensely, from themselves.
• Many independent schools are looking to mindfulness practice to reduce
stress and improve academic performance.
The Public Purpose Outlook
• More independent schools are emphasizing their public purpose.
• Independent schools have been partnering with public schools, creating
teaching centers, and starting or supporting public charter schools to demonstrate this public purpose.
The Education Technology Outlook
• Ubiquitous access to mobile devices is creating new opportunities for schools.
• Students in online courses report improved learning outcomes.
• Students report high levels of engagement with flipped learning.
• Teachers have been integrating new material into lessons with “augmented
reality,” using handheld devices to layer information about a specific location
with information or data from virtual resources.
And, in the epilogue, John Chubb offers his observations about the future of
independent education.
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