Cutting costs without cutting corners
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.
districts
What K-20 leaders should know about building resilient campuses
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…
49 predictions about edtech, innovation, and–yes–AI in 2026
As K-12 schools prepare for 2026, edtech and innovation are no longer driven by novelty--it’s driven by necessity. District leaders are navigating tighter budgets, shifting enrollment, rising cybersecurity…
Chronic absenteeism could derail K-12 education
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 vs. identity fraud: 3 threats putting student safety at risk
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…
A smarter path to standards-based success: How Superior Public Schools united curriculum and data
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,…
Modernizing the special education workforce is a national imperative
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…
From fragmented to family-first: Our district’s communication reboot
In Greenwood 50, our story began with a challenge shared by many districts: too many tools, not enough connection. With more than 8,000 students across 15 schools, our…
How one school reimagined learning spaces–and what others can learn
When Collegedale Academy, a PreK–8 school outside Chattanooga, Tennessee, needed a new elementary building, we faced a choice that many school leaders eventually confront: repair an aging facility…
From momentum to endurance: Scaling structured literacy with implementation science
When districts adopt evidence-based practices like Structured Literacy, it’s often with a surge of excitement and momentum. Yet the real challenge lies not in the initial adoption, but…
Resilient learning begins with Zero Trust and cyber preparedness
The U.K.’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) recently warned of a surge in cyberattacks from “insider threats”--student hackers motivated by dares and challenges--leading to breaches across schools.
How school IT teams lock down QR-based SSO without hurting usability
Schools can keep QR logins safe and seamless by blending clear visual cues, ongoing user education, and risk-based checks behind the scenes
The Road to Efficiency for K-12 Schools
This whitepaper discusses the financial challenges faced by K-12 school districts and advocates for the modernization of travel, expense, ... Read more
How AI is streamlining special education
Districts nationwide are grappling with increased special education demands amid persistent staff shortages and compliance pressures.
How districts can avoid 4 hidden costs of outdated facilities systems
School leaders are under constant pressure to stretch every dollar further, yet many districts are losing money in ways they may not even realize. The culprit? Outdated facilities processes…
Future-proof your district’s network: Smarter, faster, and more secure classroom connectivity
As digital learning continues to evolve, K-12 districts are under pressure to deliver connectivity that’s as fast, secure, and flexible as the learning it supports.
K-12 districts are fighting ransomware, but IT teams pay the price
The education sector is making measurable progress in defending against ransomware, with fewer ransom payments, dramatically reduced costs, and faster recovery rates.
Rethinking substitute teacher preparation
Many of us remember the days when having a substitute teacher meant movie day--a wheeled video cart appeared, and the substitute teacher’s main goal was making sure students…
Top 10 Reasons K-12 Schools Should Upgrade to Windows 11 with Lenovo
K-12 schools face a perfect storm: Exploding cyber threats, the Windows 10 end-of-support deadline, and the need for modern educational ... Read more
I asked students why they go to school–this answer changed how I design campuses
In February of 2023, I was leading a visioning workshop with a group of middle schoolers in Southern California. Their energy was vibrant, their curiosity sharp. We began…
Smarter, Safer, and Future-Ready: A K-12 Guide to Migrating to Windows 11
K-12 schools are entering a pivotal moment for technology planning. On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will officially end support for ... Read more
Download A New Framework for High-Impact PLCs
This guide helps schools reset with: A step-by-step framework to evaluate and improve your PLC structure Strategies aligned with high-impact ... Read more
Districts eye proactive cyber threat protection as risks increase
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…
Turning superintendent transitions into strength–not division
When a long-serving superintendent departs, districts inherit more than a vacancy. They inherit emotion, legacy, and the uncertainty that comes with change.
26 insights about what back-to-school season has in store
As the back-to-school season begins, educators and students alike are stepping into classrooms that look and feel increasingly different from just a few years ago. Technology is no…
Phones, devices, and the limits of control: Rethinking school device policies
A growing body of research and an even louder chorus of educators point to the same conclusion: students are distracted, they’re disengaged, and their learning is suffering. What’s…
Report highlights growing movement to elevate student voice in school communications
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.
Counslr Launches in Schools Across the Country to Increase Mental Health Care Access
New York, NY, August 12, 2025 – Counslr, a leading mental health and wellness platform, announced today that it has expanded its ... Read more
Radical transparency in school benefits: A smarter way to manage public dollars
For public school districts across Florida and much of the country, employee benefits--particularly health insurance--are among the largest and fastest-growing budget line items.
6 steps to transforming parent engagement, one message at a time
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.
Centralized IT governance helps improve learning outcomes
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…
ISTE Takeaways:What’s the Deal with Data—EdTech Research and Challenges
While districts understand the value of data, they often lack confidence in knowing what specific data to demand from EdTech ... Read more
Common Sense Media releases AI toolkit for 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.
Districts are more selective about edtech tools as they face a budget crisis
As districts grapple with mounting financial pressures, a new report notes a noticeable shift in edtech strategy as leaders prioritize impact over volume, demanding stronger alignment with institutional…
Look Who’s Talking—Bringing STEM Up To Speed
Tim presented at no less than seven sessions at ISTE this year, focusing on cross-disciplinary STEAM education and meaningful AI ... Read more
First AI-Powered Special Education Management Platform Helps Districts Reach 100% IEP Compliance
Sanford, N.C. — With school districts nationwide struggling to meet growing special education demands amid staffing shortages and political pressure ... Read more
Showfloor News: Gale and ConnectEDD Publishing focus on PD
Gale, part of Cengage Group and ConnectEDD Publishing have partnered to bring the professional development (PD) resources of best-selling author, leadership ... Read more
Catapult Learning is Approved to Provide High-Dosage Tutoring in Massachusetts Elementary and Secondary Schools
PHILADELPHIA – Catapult Learning, a division of FullBloom that provides intervention programs for students and professional development solutions for teachers in ... Read more
AI in education needs more than innovation–it needs intention
Generative artificial intelligence is everywhere, including our schools--and it has the potential to transform education. These platforms offer unprecedented opportunities to personalize learning, refine curriculum development, and support…
AI prompt engineering: A critical new skillset for 21st-century teachers
Prompt engineering--the ability to craft precise, thoughtful inputs for AI tools to produce effective outputs--is quickly becoming an essential skill in modern education. More than a technical trick,…