Perry A. Zirkel, Retired Professor of Education Law , Author at eSchool News

Mis-identifying “504-only” students

February 6, 2026 by Perry A. Zirkel, Retired Professor of Education Law

At a time of teacher shortage, high percentages of students with 504 plans contributes to current recruitment and attrition problems.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits discrimination against students and other individuals with disabilities, is far less visible than the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)…

Student Well-Being

How early cognitive training leads to lifelong brain strength

February 4, 2026 by Dominick Fedele, Mastermind

Cognitive training can help improve student engagement and performance, while building a foundation for robust brain health in the future.

As we continue to make strides in understanding the brain--its strengths and weaknesses, how it develops, and its incredible potential--one idea has continued to strike conversation: the profound…

AI in Education

The digital divide redux: Why AI is the new broadband

February 3, 2026 by Dr. Mark Taormino, College of Southern Nevada

AI models should ensure every instructor, student, and creator has a viable economic access path--ads are a roadblock.

Remember the early 2000s, back when high-speed internet felt like a luxury reserved for the tech elite and the lucky few with deep pockets? We called it the…

Digital Learning Tools

The death of the static textbook: Why financial education must be “live”

January 30, 2026 by Isaac Lamptey, Piggy Investors

Democratizing financial intelligence means democratizing the technology that delivers it--financial education and edtech must be modern.

Imagine trying to teach a student how to navigate the city of New York in 2026 using a map from 1950. The streets have changed names, new bridges…

AI in Education

AI in edtech: The 2026 efficacy imperative

January 29, 2026 by Rishi Raj Gera, Magic Edtech

A strong and solid AI strategy will enable education leaders to answer what improved, for whom, and under what conditions.

AI has crossed a threshold. In 2026, it is no longer a pilot category or a differentiator you add on. It is part of the operating fabric of…

Emergency Planning & Response

When seconds matter: Why in-building coverage is a lifeline for school safety

January 28, 2026 by Payam Maveddat, Wilson Connectivity

Every student, teacher, and responder deserves the same chance to communicate in an emergency, and school communications coverage is critical

During a school emergency, every minute that passes is crucial, but in those moments, a reliable connection can mean the difference between confusion and coordinated response.

AI in Education

2026 prediction: AI may unleash the most entrepreneurial generation we’ve ever seen

January 27, 2026 by Thomas Arnett, Clayton Christensen Institute

Today's students are future innovators in a landscape where powerful new tools of creation--AI--are sitting right in front of them.

Picture someone sitting at a kitchen table after the kids are finally in bed, laptop open, half-drunk mug of herbal tea nearby. For years, she has had a…

College and Career Readiness

The three P’s of writing a memorable college essay

January 26, 2026 by Christa Olson, Independent Education Consultant

Authentic college essays result from an insightful process that uncovers the writer’s personality without obsessing over perfection.

As a former admissions officer and now an independent education consultant, I’ve read thousands of college essays. The ones that earn students admission to their dream schools aren’t…

Curriculum & Assessment

Sparking civic engagement as we approach America’s 250th

January 23, 2026 by Melaney Sánchez, Ph.D., Mt. Harmony Elementary

When every subject and resource become hubs for civic engagement, students begin to see citizenship as something they live.

Imagine students who understand how government works and who see themselves as vital contributors to their communities. That’s what happens when students are given opportunities to play a…

College and Career Readiness

Measuring student global competency learning using direct peer connections

January 22, 2026 by Marjorie B. Tiven, Global Cities, Inc.

Global competency can be taught--and measured--with simple but powerful strategies educators everywhere can use.

Our students are coming of age in a world that demands global competency. From economic interdependence to the accelerating effects of climate change and mass migration, students need…

Digital Learning Tools

On your mark, get set, print: The 3 learning advantages of 3D printing

January 21, 2026 by Jon Oosterman, Van Andel Institute for Education

When used with purpose, 3D printing transforms from a common classroom tool into a launchpad for student discovery and learning.

It’s truly incredible how much new technology has made its way into the classroom. Where once teaching consisted primarily of whiteboards and textbooks, you can now find tablets,…

District Management

Beyond the dashboard: Why K-12 educators need data literacy, not just data

January 20, 2026 by Dr. Curt Merlau, Resultant

The power of any data dashboard isn't in the dashboard itself--it's in the conversations that happen around it. Data literacy is critical.

Walk into any data meeting at a K-12 school today, and you'll likely see a familiar scene: educators huddled around printed reports, highlighters in hand, trying to make…

AI in Education

Teaching visual literacy as a core reading strategy in the age of AI

January 19, 2026 by Nesreen El-Baz, Bloomsbury Education Author & School Governor

Educators face urgent questions around misinformation, academic integrity, and critical thinking around AI. Visual literacy is key.

Many years ago, around 2010, I attended a professional development program in Houston called Literacy Through Photography, at a time when I was searching for practical ways to…

Teacher Professional Development

Learning the “why” behind the math: How professional learning transformed our teachers

January 16, 2026 by Jason Aldridge, Charleston County School District

$Teachers are the first to tell you whether PD is worth their time…and our teachers are asking for more of this professional learning.$

When you walk into a math classroom in Charleston County School District, you can feel the difference. Students aren’t just memorizing steps--they’re reasoning through problems, explaining their thinking,…

District Management

Cutting costs without cutting corners

January 15, 2026 by Jacqueline Benson, Jurupa Unified School District

This district is streamlining payroll, staffing, and operations to stay ahead of shrinking budgets--here’s how other districts can follow suit

With the end of federal COVID-19 emergency funding and the inherent volatility of state income tax revenues, California school districts are in an era of financial uncertainty.

Student Well-Being

Reimagining teacher preparation to include student mental health supports

January 14, 2026 by Dr. Yuvraj Verma, Bessemer City Middle School & William Howard Taft University & Jennifer Veitch, Bessemer City Middle School

Teacher preparation programs must evolve to reflect the emotional realities of today’s classrooms--including student mental health.

Teacher preparation programs have long emphasized curriculum, instruction, and assessment. However, they often fall short in one critical area: social-emotional and mental health needs of students.

AI in Education

AI for empathy: Using generative tools to deepen, not replace, human connection in schools

January 13, 2026 by Timothy Montalvo, Iona University & the College of Westchester

AI can’t perform human actions like empathy for us, but it can help students and educators practice and prepare for them.

For the last two years, conversations about AI in education have tended to fall into two camps: excitement about efficiency or fear of replacement. Teachers worry they’ll lose…

IT Innovations

Connected campuses: Modernizing education communications for safety and simplicity

January 12, 2026 by Damon Covey, GoTo

Modernized education communication isn't just convenient, but functions to bolster safety and responsiveness.

Schools, colleges, and universities face growing challenges in keeping their communities informed, connected, and engaged.

Teaching Trends

5 tips for educators using video

January 9, 2026 by Karl M. Kapp, Ed.D., Learning and Development Mentor Academy

Educators can create instructional videos to save time, expand their reach, and create greater impacts on their students

When you need to fix your sink, learn how to use AI, or cook up a new recipe, chances are you searched on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or even…

Teacher Professional Development

We built evaluation for accountability–now it’s time to build it for growth

January 8, 2026 by Jena Draper, RefynED

Real leadership means moving past outdated educator evaluation processes and redesigning it around evidence, clarity, and authentic feedback.

Teacher evaluations have been the subject of debate for decades. Breakthroughs have been attempted but rarely sustained. Researchers have learned that context, transparency, and autonomy matter.

College and Career Readiness

Decision Education: A new approach to driving STEM workforce readiness

January 7, 2026 by Mary Call Blanusa, Alliance for Decision Education

By integrating Decision Education into STEM, teachers can make learning more relevant and accessible to all students.

STEM workforce shortages are a well-known global issue. With demand set to rise by nearly 11 percent in the next decade, today’s students are the solution. They will…

Student Well-Being

The rise of remote psychoeducational testing: What school leaders need to know

January 6, 2026 by Stephanie Taylor, Ed.S., NCSP, Taylored Education Solutions

Remote testing isn’t just a novelty--it’s a practical, scalable solution that is rooted in evidence to help students with mental health.

Special education is at a breaking point. Across the country, more children than ever are being referred for evaluations to determine whether they qualify for special education services.

District Management

What K-20 leaders should know about building resilient campuses

January 5, 2026 by John Scott Mooring, Mooring USA

From smarter materials to proactive planning, these strategies help create resilient schools that stay open and prepared for what comes next.

When a school building fails, everything it supports comes to a halt. Learning stops. Families scramble. Community stability is shaken. And while fire drills and lockdown procedures prepare…

Education Policy & Funding

What happens after the U.S. Department of Education is dissolved?

December 31, 2025 by Dr. Yuvraj Verma, Bessemer City Middle School and William Howard Taft University

Advocates for dismantling the Department of Education argue for local control and efficiency, while critics highlight risks to equity, access.

In light of Donald Trump assuming a second presidential term in 2025, conversations concerning dismantling the United States Department of Education have resurfaced.

School Management

Being a principal just got harder–and here’s why

December 29, 2025 by Chris DeRemer, Chalkbeat

A principal should create an environment so safe and accepting that students and staff never feel like they must look over their shoulder.

There is a squeaky old merry-go-round in my neighborhood that my own children play on from time to time. Years of kids riding on it have loosened its…

STEM & STEAM Trends

Why new math problems won’t solve our nation’s math problem

December 26, 2025 by Dr. Joseph Goins, Pathway2Careers

$Contextualizing math is the path forward for math instruction across the country--making it relevant help students grasp concepts.$

How much longer will we keep trying to solve our nation’s dismal math proficiency problem by writing new math problems? Clearly, if that was the answer, it would…

DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access)

DEI in education: Pros and cons

December 24, 2025 by Dr. Yuvraj Verma, Bessemer City Middle School and William Howard Taft University

Positive DEI efforts in education include thoughtful and inclusive implementation strategies that promote equity and inclusion for all.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives have become integral to educational institutions across the United States. DEI aims to foster environments where all students can thrive regardless of…

Edtech Trends

Edtech teaching strategies that support sustainability

December 23, 2025 by Sam Bowman, Contributing Writer

Integrating edtech learning strategies into classrooms brings sustainability and enhanced learning experiences to the forefront.

Educational technology, or edtech, has reshaped how educators teach, offering opportunities to create more sustainable and impactful learning environments.

AI in Education

Grading student work with AI: What we lose when AI replaces teachers

December 22, 2025 by Dennis Magliozzi & Kristina Peterson, University of New Hampshire's Writers Academy

Our students don’t write to impress a rubric--they write to be heard, and using AI to grade student writing misses the mark.

A colleague of ours recently attended an AI training where the opening slide featured a list of all the ways AI can revolutionize our classrooms. Grading was listed…

District Management

Chronic absenteeism could derail K-12 education

December 19, 2025 by Joe Philleo, Edia

When communities unite to battle chronic absenteeism and make school attendance a priority, students receive the support they need to succeed

The biggest problem in education is that kids aren’t showing up to school. Last year, 26 percent of students missed a month of class or more, leading to…

AI in Education

An educator’s top tips to integrate AI into the classroom

December 18, 2025 by Hanna Kemble-Mick, Indian Hills Elementary

If used wisely, AI can extend educators’ reach, personalize impact, and unlock students’ potential for future success.

In the last year, we’ve seen an extraordinary push toward integrating artificial intelligence in classrooms. Among educators, that trend has evoked responses from optimism to opposition.

K-12 Cybersecurity

AI vs. identity fraud: 3 threats putting student safety at risk

December 17, 2025 by Ashwin Sugavanam, Jumio Corporation

As digital learning becomes the norm and AI accelerates, identity fraud will only get more sophisticated and schools must protect students.

In today’s schools, whether K-12 or higher education, AI is powering smarter classrooms. There’s more personalized learning and faster administrative tasks. And students themselves are engaging with AI…

ELL

How an AI-generated song transformed my ELL classroom

December 16, 2025 by Nesreen El-Baz, Bloomsbury Education Author & School Governor

The true power of AI lies not in replacing learning, but in opening doors for every learner, including ELL students, to express who they are.

A trending AI song went viral, but in my classroom, it did something even more powerful: it unlocked student voice.

ELL

Why every middle school student deserves a second chance to learn to read

December 15, 2025 by Kim Hicks, Southwestern Jefferson County Consolidated School

To read with confidence, middle school students need foundational literacy instruction that respects age, cognitive development, and dignity.

Between kindergarten and second grade, much of the school day is dedicated to helping our youngest students master phonics, syllabication, and letter-sound correspondence--the essential building blocks to lifelong…

Curriculum & Assessment

A smarter path to standards-based success: How Superior Public Schools united curriculum and data

December 11, 2025 by Tricia Kuhlmann and Jodi Fierstein, Superior Public Schools

From the beginning, school leaders knew the district's transition to a standards-based curriculum needed to be intentional and collaborative.

Creating consistency between classrooms and ensuring curriculum alignment school-wide can be challenging, even in the smallest of districts. Every educator teaches--and grades--differently based on their experience and preferences,…

Teacher Professional Development

How AI can fix PD for teachers

December 10, 2025 by Andy Szeto, Ed.D, Professor and District Administrator

Too many PD sessions remain generic, compliance-driven, or disconnected from day-to-day teaching realities--but AI can help.

Many teachers have experienced PD sessions that are disorganized, disconnected from practice, or delivered by outsiders who misunderstand the local context.

Students with Special Needs

Modernizing the special education workforce is a national imperative

December 9, 2025 by Kevin Eberly, FillerB

Teaching vacancies are most acute in special education due to attrition, burnout, and early retirements--workforce support is critical.

America’s special education system is facing a slow-motion collapse. Nearly 8 million students now receive services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), but the number of qualified teachers…

Online & Hybrid Learning

Teaching might be synchronous, but learning is always happening asynchronously

December 8, 2025 by George Philhower, Ed.D., Eastern Hancock Schools

Real student engagement happens in the head of the learner, and that's harder to quantify when analyzing synchronous or asynchronous learning.

The bell rings at 10:00 a.m. A teacher begins explaining quadratic equations. Some students lean forward, pencils ready. Others stare at the clock. A few are still turning…

Literacy

Solving the staffing crisis is key to the Science of Reading movement

December 5, 2025 by Laura Stewart, 95 Percent Group

Every time a new leader or teacher steps in, the hard-won progress on a literacy initiative can be jeopardized--staffing is critical.

As someone who’s dedicated my career to advancing the Science of Reading movement, I’ve seen firsthand what it takes to help every child become a strong, fluent reader.

Teacher Professional Development

4 ways AI can make your PD more effective

December 4, 2025 by Andy Szeto, Ed.D, Professor and District Administrator

AI can help PD facilitators design activities that meet everyone’s needs while keeping the group moving forward together.

If you lead professional learning, whether as a school leader or PD facilitator, your goal is to make each session relevant, engaging, and lasting. AI can help you…

Login