districts Archives

From innovation to impact: Three ways school districts can build a sustainable AI framework

April 24, 2026 by Carl Hooker, Innovation & Digital Learning Leader, Matt Holley, Lubbock-Cooper ISD & Amy Liang, Los Gatos Union School District

School leaders must move beyond experimentation and build AI systems that prioritize governance, purpose, and data integrity.

AI is here, and it’s moving fast. For schools, that speed is both an opportunity and a risk: The right tools can transform learning, but the wrong ones…

Emergency Planning & Response

Protecting teachers from workplace violence as student behavior challenges rise

April 17, 2026April 14, 2026 by Dr. Roderick Sams, CENTEGIX

Violence against teachers in the workplace contributes to issues like burnout and some educators leaving the profession altogether.

Schools have seen rising problems with student behavior since the pandemic. For too many K-12 districts, these student behavior challenges are leading to violence against teachers.

Prepare Your District – Five Challenges To Solve For Today

March 27, 2026March 27, 2026 by Vcarlson

K-12 SCHOOLS HAVE WEATHERED SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. Although many districts have already made great strides, they ... Read more

K-12 Cybersecurity

Why digital resilience is critical for U.S. K-12 schools

March 23, 2026 by James Griffin, CyberSentriq

Education depends on stability--in a digital-first environment, that stability increasingly rests on cyber resilience.

While prevention remains essential, 2025 has reinforced a hard lesson for district leaders: it’s not a question of if a cyber incident will occur, but how prepared a…

District Management

A superintendent’s view: Engagement, not enforcement, is the answer to absenteeism

March 17, 2026 by Dr. Luvelle Brown, Superintendent, Ithaca City School District

Chronic absenteeism rarely begins with a student deciding to break a rule--more often, it reflects a gradual erosion of engagement.

Chronic student absenteeism has reached troubling new heights in the post-pandemic K-12 landscape, with one in four students in many systems now missing significant class time.

District Management

Key tips to help district leaders use data to improve attendance

March 11, 2026 by Dr. Kara Stern, SchoolStatus

Chronic absenteeism is predictable and preventable--if district leaders respond quickly enough to change the pattern.

Chronic absenteeism has become one of the most pressing challenges facing K-12 education today. According to the American Enterprise Institute, chronic absenteeism rates are leveling out at 23.5…

District Management

When it comes to student attendance, are districts measuring the wrong thing?

March 6, 2026 by George Philhower, Ed.D., Eastern Hancock Schools

As the pressure to improve student attendance mounts, it’s silencing the alarm that kids are still struggling once they return to classrooms.

Across the country, schools are raising alarms about chronic absenteeism. News stories highlight rising numbers of missed days, legislators are demanding answers from districts, and educators are feeling…

District Management

In districts, reaching readiness, retention, and success

March 5, 2026 by Laura Ascione

Using data to drive decisions through every district process helps you retain teachers who give their best to students. teacher retention

It's critical that schools create an environment where students thrive and teachers and staff feel supported and empowered.

District Management

Strengthening the PK-12 leadership pipeline during a succession crisis

February 26, 2026 by Dr. Martin Yousef, LaFetra College of Education, University of La Verne

Without intentional investment, the PK-12 leadership pipeline will continue to narrow as retirements outpace preparation.

Across the country, districts are confronting a growing PK-12 leadership pipeline crisis. Veteran principals, assistant principals, and district administrators are retiring at increasing rates, yet there is not…

Edtech Trends

New CoSN report underscores importance of intentional, reliable edtech use

February 16, 2026 by ESchool News Staff

Strength, creativity and humanity of educators and IT leaders will be the driving forces behind true edtech innovation

A purposeful commitment to responsible edtech use--and to professional development for teachers--is necessary to ensure edtech is innovative and transformational, according to CoSN's annual 2026 Driving K-12 Innovation…

Students with Special Needs

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)…

Retention First: Hire Teachers Who Stay

February 9, 2026February 5, 2026 by Vcarlson

When staffing eats up 85% of a district’s budget, retention matters. Learn how K-12 districts use cross-department collaboration, smarter planning, ... Read more

Why Teachers Stay (and Why They Leave)

February 9, 2026February 5, 2026 by Vcarlson

Teacher turnover is nearing 22% nationwide — and even higher in urban districts. In this EdWeek panel, K-12 HR leaders ... Read more

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.

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…

Edtech Trends

49 predictions about edtech, innovation, and–yes–AI in 2026

January 16, 2026January 1, 2026 by Laura Ascione

Schools face challenges and opportunities to innovate, integrate new edtech practices, and move beyond classroom walls for lifelong education.

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

District Management

From fragmented to family-first: Our district’s communication reboot

December 3, 2025 by Johnathan Graves, Debbie Leonard, & Anna Haynes, Greenwood 50 School District

The shift from siloed to shared communication helped a district reach new levels of accessibility and engagement.

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…

District Management

How one school reimagined learning spaces–and what others can learn

December 2, 2025 by Beth Stone, Collegedale Academy

Schools can build learning spaces and environments where students feel they belong--and where teachers are empowered to do their best work.

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…

Literacy

From momentum to endurance: Scaling structured literacy with implementation science

December 1, 2025 by Kimberly Stockton, Ed.D.

When it comes to structured literacy, implementation science is a roadmap for translating the science of reading into instructional routines.

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…

K-12 Cybersecurity

Resilient learning begins with Zero Trust and cyber preparedness

November 25, 2025 by Gary Barlet, Illumio

Even in districts with limited staff and funding, schools can take important steps toward stronger security with Zero Trust and cybersecurity

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.

K-12 Cybersecurity

How school IT teams lock down QR-based SSO without hurting usability

November 10, 2025 by Charlie Sander, ManagedMethods

Phishing via QR codes, a tactic now known as “quishing,” involves attackers embedding malicious QR codes in emails or posters.

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

February 12, 2026November 6, 2025 by Jeff Festa

This whitepaper discusses the financial challenges faced by K-12 school districts and advocates for the modernization of travel, expense, and ... Read more

AI in Education

How AI is streamlining special education

November 3, 2025 by Laura Ascione

As special education teams face mounting caseloads and staffing challenges, AI can relieve administrative strain and strengthen compliance.

Districts nationwide are grappling with increased special education demands amid persistent staff shortages and compliance pressures.

District Management

How districts can avoid 4 hidden costs of outdated facilities systems

November 7, 2025October 30, 2025 by Shane Foster, Follett Software

Facilities teams are already stretched thin, and antiquated facilities systems prevent them from managing day-to-day operations.

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…

Internet Connectivity

Future-proof your district’s network: Smarter, faster, and more secure classroom connectivity

November 5, 2025October 21, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Innovative districts are modernizing and future-proofing district networks to power learning, safeguard data, and maximize E-rate funding.

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 Cybersecurity

K-12 districts are fighting ransomware, but IT teams pay the price

October 10, 2025 by ESchool Media Contributors

Recovery times are improving, and ransomware payments are falling, but K-12 IT staff burnout and stress are on the rise.

The education sector is making measurable progress in defending against ransomware, with fewer ransom payments, dramatically reduced costs, and faster recovery rates.

Teacher Professional Development

Rethinking substitute teacher preparation

October 6, 2025 by Dr. Stephanie Wall, Kelly Education

To train and support confident, competent substitute teachers that today’s students need and deserve, a new preparation standard is needed.

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

October 2, 2025October 1, 2025 by Vcarlson

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

District Management

I asked students why they go to school–this answer changed how I design campuses

November 7, 2025September 30, 2025 by Enrico Giori, Chalkbeat

Students should be included in shaping the school environments they spend most days in--after all, they're a critical piece.

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

September 24, 2025September 23, 2025 by Jeff Festa

K-12 schools are entering a pivotal moment for technology planning. On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will officially end support for ... Read more

K-12 Cybersecurity

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…

From innovation to impact: Three ways school districts can build a sustainable AI framework

Protecting teachers from workplace violence as student behavior challenges rise

Why digital resilience is critical for U.S. K-12 schools

A superintendent’s view: Engagement, not enforcement, is the answer to absenteeism

Key tips to help district leaders use data to improve attendance

When it comes to student attendance, are districts measuring the wrong thing?

In districts, reaching readiness, retention, and success

Strengthening the PK-12 leadership pipeline during a succession crisis

New CoSN report underscores importance of intentional, reliable edtech use

Mis-identifying “504-only” students

Cutting costs without cutting corners

What K-20 leaders should know about building resilient campuses

49 predictions about edtech, innovation, and–yes–AI in 2026

Chronic absenteeism could derail K-12 education

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

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

Modernizing the special education workforce is a national imperative

From fragmented to family-first: Our district’s communication reboot

How one school reimagined learning spaces–and what others can learn

From momentum to endurance: Scaling structured literacy with implementation science

Resilient learning begins with Zero Trust and cyber preparedness

How school IT teams lock down QR-based SSO without hurting usability

How AI is streamlining special education

How districts can avoid 4 hidden costs of outdated facilities systems

Future-proof your district’s network: Smarter, faster, and more secure classroom connectivity

K-12 districts are fighting ransomware, but IT teams pay the price

Rethinking substitute teacher preparation

I asked students why they go to school–this answer changed how I design campuses

Districts eye proactive cyber threat protection as risks increase

Why interactive solutions are a smarter investment for schools

ClassMate by World Book Recognized with Prestigious ISTE Seal

School Specialty Honors Top Educators with 12th Annual Crystal Apple Awards

Follett Content Accelerates Public Library Strategy

Celebrating Teachers: Nominate Outstanding Educators for Crystal Apple Awards

School Specialty Expands Learning Beyond the Screen with New Outdoor Furniture Line

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