district Archives

Districts eye proactive cyber threat protection as risks increase

September 22, 2025 by ESchool Media Contributors

CoSN recommendations help schools and district align cybersecurity priorities with areas of need to protect students and information.

Cybersecurity threats to K-12 schools are growing in frequency, sophistication, and cost, yet many school districts remain under-resourced and underprepared, according to the CoSN 2025 State of EdTech District…

District Management

Turning superintendent transitions into strength–not division

September 15, 2025 by Jeremy Fewell, Mississinewa Community Schools

A superintendent offers practical moves K-12 leaders can use right now to grow unity during superintendent transitions.

When a long-serving superintendent departs, districts inherit more than a vacancy. They inherit emotion, legacy, and the uncertainty that comes with change.

Teacher Professional Development

Tips, tools, and truths: Making PD meaningful in today’s classrooms

August 29, 2025 by Bucky Ware, School District of Newberry County

Choosing PD that aligns with educator goals, as well as exploring tech tools that extend professional learning, are key aspects of effective PD

As a classroom teacher and district leader with over 26 years of experience, I’ve attended countless professional development (PD) sessions. Some were transformative, others forgettable.

District Management

Beyond AI: Human connection still drives school attendance

November 7, 2025August 28, 2025 by Dr. Kara Stern, SchoolStatus

When it comes to school attendance, showing up to school is a human decision driven by authentic relationships--not AI.

At ISTE this summer, I lost count of how many times I heard "AI" as the answer to every educational challenge imaginable. Student engagement? AI-powered personalization!

Teacher Well-Being

Why student engagement starts with teacher clarity

August 14, 2025 by Dr. Mari Braithwaite, Alpine School District

Relationships, expectations, and clarity revealed themselves as critical to boosting and maintaining high levels of student engagement.

In Alpine School District, we serve a wide range of students, from Title I to highly affluent communities. While our population has traditionally been predominantly white and middle…

District Management

Report highlights growing movement to elevate student voice in school communications

November 7, 2025August 14, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

Schools have opportunities to use student voice as a powerful tool for addressing challenges like chronic absenteeism and engagement.

As K-12 leaders look for ways to strengthen trust, engagement, and belonging, a growing number of districts are turning to a key partner in the work: their students.

District Management

6 steps to transforming parent engagement, one message at a time

November 7, 2025August 1, 2025 by Megan Cahill-Clark, Grove Park Elementary

The right communications platform helps districts foster deeper family and parent engagement and bridge school communication gaps.

We always want to make it easy for families to receive, consume, and respond to our messages, and our new communications platform helps us achieve that goal.

District Management

The move from principal to district leader was fraught–here’s what I missed the most

November 7, 2025July 30, 2025 by Meagan Booth, Chalkbeat

How can educators stay connected to how the work is actually experienced and carried out in schools if they move to a district role?

I knew taking a central office role meant trading the school building for a district badge. I knew the days would be filled with policy, meetings, and personnel…

Online & Hybrid Learning

Digital learning in a new age

July 29, 2025 by John Watson, DLAC

Digital learning is broadening the world of CTE for students through online and hybrid school programs for those interested or in need.

Digital learning--in the form of online, hybrid, and blended schools and courses--is growing steadily in U.S. schools. These learning options can transform education because they allow for learning,…

Newsline

PBLWorks Announces its 2025 Award Winners

July 24, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

Novato, CA – The Buck Institute for Education (dba PBLWorks), a national provider of professional development and curriculum for high-quality ... Read more

IT Innovations

Centralized IT governance helps improve learning outcomes

July 17, 2025 by Jesus Peña, UDT

A district’s IT transformation led to reliable connectivity and ample bandwidth, ensuring students no longer face learning disruptions.

As school districts continue to seek new ways to enhance learning outcomes, Madison County School District represents an outstanding case study of the next-level success that may be…

AI in Education

Common Sense Media releases AI toolkit for school districts

July 11, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

Educators need practical, easy-to-use tools that support thoughtful AI planning, decision-making, and implementation in school districts.

Common Sense Media has released its first AI Toolkit for School Districts, which gives districts of all sizes a structured, action-oriented guide for implementing AI safely, responsibly, and effectively.

Live @ ISTE 2025

North Carolina District Wins ISTE 2025 Distinguished Award for AI Leadership and Parent Engagement Innovation

July 10, 2025July 8, 2025 by Kevin Hogan

Kimberley Thompson-Hairston, Director of Instructional Technology and Media for Stokes County Schools and Chad Stevens, Head of K-12 Engagement for ... Read more

District Management

How our district turned a sea of data into a compass for change

July 7, 2025 by Dr. Adrienne Usher, Bullitt County Public Schools

Consolidating data in a single system helped a district more effectively meet the varied needs of its 13,000 students.

Before Bullitt County Public Schools implemented a comprehensive data system, we often found ourselves looking at multiple different data sources for each individual child.

Live @ ISTE 2025

Showfloor News: West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional SD focuses on student data, achievement

June 30, 2025 by Laura Ascione

In a first of its kind agreement, New Jersey’s West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District (WWP) announced a new partnership with Otus, the leading ... Read more

Live @ ISTE 2025

Showfloor News: Edlio’s new analytics dashboard boosts engagement

June 30, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Edlio, a provider of K–12 school communication solutions, announced significant enhancements to its Mass Communication system and mobile app. The ... Read more

Education Policy & Funding

Trump moved fast and broke things in education–but what he’s creating isn’t clear

June 24, 2025 by Erica Meltzer, Chalkbeat

Critics and allies alike say they’ve been stunned by the speed at which Trump has moved to enact his education agenda .

The Grandview school district’s headquarters is nearly 1,000 miles away from the White House. Yet President Donald Trump keeps taking up Kenny Rodrequez’s brain power.

Live @ ISTE 2025

ISTE+ASCD Reveals 2025 Honorees for Innovation and Excellence in Education

July 1, 2025June 23, 2025 by Kevin Hogan

ISTE+ASCD announced the recipients of the 2025 ISTE+ASCD Impact Award, Distinguished District Award, Distinguished Educator Preparation Program Award, and 20 ... Read more

AI in Education

Enterprise AI is changing education

June 23, 2025 by Laura Ascione

AI can help educators spend more time teaching as they strive to create a more engaging, personalized experience for students

AI is poised to reshape education, impacting everything from administrative tasks and assessments to how students navigate research and develop critical thinking skills.

Newsline

Counslr Launches in Texas to Increase Access to Mental Health Support for Staff and Students

June 13, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

New York, NY – Counslr, a leading B2B mental health and wellness platform, announced today that it has expanded its ... Read more

District Management

8 tips for school leaders seeking to innovate

November 7, 2025June 12, 2025 by Michael B. Horn, Clayton Christensen Institute

How can school district leaders make practical innovation a daily part of their organizations and operations?

When school and district leaders read about innovation--defined as improvements for students and teachers that result in real progress, not anything that’s simply “new or different”--the changes can…

Teacher Professional Development

5 strategies to refine recruitment and help solve the teacher shortage

June 12, 2025 by Jason Odom, FlexPoint Virtual School

Research consistently shows that teacher quality is the single most important school-based factor influencing student achievement--more impactful than race, socioeconomic status, or prior academic performance.

Literacy

From school year to summer: Why reliable edtech matters to boost literacy

June 11, 2025June 11, 2025 by Judy Boone, Irving Independent School District

Literacy is not confined to English Language Arts--in fact, every teacher is a reading teacher, and reliable edtech is key.

There’s something to be said for legacy platforms that not only stand the test of time but continue to evolve in ways that meet the shifting needs of…

How Students Are Really Using AI and What Schools Should Know

September 24, 2025June 5, 2025 by Jeff Festa

Learn how students are using AI tools and what your district can do in response. This guide shares trends, ... Read more

Online & Hybrid Learning

The best tools to create blended learning environments

May 28, 2025 by Lori Oldham, Park Elementary School

In a dynamic blended learning environment, the teacher is a facilitator of learning, mentoring and guiding students as they progress.

Thirty unique, energetic learners enter a bright, welcoming 4th grade classroom. The students’ academic levels span an incredible range--from kindergarten-level skills to almost high school-level proficiency.

Innovation Insights

Alliant Credit Union Foundation Grants $108K to Boost AI and Digital Programs at Ridgewood High School

May 26, 2025 by Kevin Hogan

The Alliant Credit Union Foundation has awarded a $108,000 grant to Digital Leaders Now, the nonprofit that powers the Digital Leaders Academy ... Read more

Newsline

Ohio District Awarded CoSN Trusted Learning Environment Mini Seal for Student Data Privacy Practices

May 16, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

Washington, D.C. – CoSN today awarded Delaware Area Career Center in Delaware, Ohio, the Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Mini Seal ... Read more

Emergency Planning & Response

Empowering school staff with emergency response protocols

May 16, 2025 by Laura Ascione

The right safety platform can help schools plan for emergencies, respond to crises, and accelerate emergency response protocols.

Safety response protocols are foundational to creating a culture of safety in schools. District leaders should adopt and implement response protocols that cover all types of emergencies.

Innovation Insights

River Valley School District (PA) First to Implement Yourway Learning $1M AI Grant

May 14, 2025 by Kevin Hogan

Instructional coaches recognize AI and its potential to enhance learning, improve efficiency, and maintain human-centered learning.

Yourway Learning, a leader in AI-supported educational solutions, announced last week the launch of its $1 million, donor-funded Nationwide AI Grant Initiative. ... Read more

Newsline

Otus Launches AI Advisory Board to Bring Voices of K-12 Leaders to the Forefront of Innovation

May 14, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

CHICAGO, IL (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Otus, the leading K-12 assessment, data, and insights solution, today announced the formation of the ... Read more

E-rate Funding

Edtech leaders see expanding roles as concerns over AI and cybersecurity increase

May 13, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

Key findings in a new report highlight expanding role of edtech leaders amid rising AI, cybersecurity, and connectivity challenges.

If the Supreme Court decides Universal Service/E-Rate is unconstitutional, losing E-rate funding would have a catastrophic impact on the vast majority of school districts, according to CoSN's 2025 State…

How One California District is Leading the Way with Interoperable Edtech

May 13, 2025May 10, 2025 by Jeff Festa

Learn how Modesto City Schools use an interoperable product to connect students, administrators, teachers, and parents across the district and ... Read more

Developing a Curriculum? Review These 7 Common Challenges

July 9, 2025May 10, 2025 by Jeff Festa

Whether you’re an educator within a school district, or an EdTech curriculum developer creating content for a wide range ... Read more

College and Career Readiness

Prepared for tomorrow: Reimagining readiness in Indiana education

May 2, 2025 by George Philhower, Ed.D., Eastern Hancock Schools & David L. Dimmett, Ed. D., MBOE, Project Lead The Way

To truly support student readiness, teachers need the resources, tools, and confidence to thrive in evolving classrooms.

Across the country, education is on the brink of significant change. Schools, districts, and policymakers grapple with the realities of a rapidly evolving workforce that requires discipline-specific knowledge.

AI in Education

More districts eye AI training for teachers

April 30, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Teachers are integrating AI into instruction, but little is known about how districts are supporting them during the rollout of AI in schools

Roughly half of districts in a nationally representative survey reported that they have provided training to their teachers about generative AI-powered tools as of fall 2024, according to…

Innovation in Education

Cybersecurity in K-12 Education

April 22, 2025April 22, 2025 by Kevin Hogan

School systems experience nearly daily security incidents with increasing sophistication, resulting in data breaches, financial losses, and operational disruptions. Recent ... Read more

Digital Learning Tools

5 vocabulary strategies powered by technology

April 16, 2025 by Ashley Pursley, Anderson School District Five

Vocabulary instructional strategies, amplified through technology, help students strengthen their vocabulary and reading comprehension

In my work with middle school students, I’ve seen how critical that period of development is to students’ future success. One area of focus in a middle schooler’s…

Student Data Security

Leadership is key to protecting student data privacy in 2025

April 14, 2025 by Linnette Attai, CoSN

For many school districts, successful implementation of a student data privacy program may require some form of organizational change.

In the year 2025, no one should have to be convinced that protecting data privacy matters. For education institutions, it’s really that simple of a priority--and that complicated.

District Management

Preparing for the interview season

April 9, 2025 by Steven M. Baule, Ed.D., Ph.D.

Readying for an interview for a new education position involves several key steps that can significantly impact the outcome.

Spring brings not only showers and flowers, but it also brings the opportunity to interview for new education positions. Preparing for an interview involves several key steps that…

Takeaways from CoSN2025: Human Leadership in a World of AI, Part 1

April 7, 2025April 7, 2025 by Kevin Hogan

The 2025 Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) Annual Conference went down last week in Seattle, bringing together district technology leaders, ... Read more

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