districts Archives

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…

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.

Edtech Trends

26 insights about what back-to-school season has in store

September 9, 2025September 8, 2025 by Laura Ascione

This back-to-school season, the conversation is not just about new devices or apps, but about how technology and thoughtful innovation can transform education

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…

District Management

Phones, devices, and the limits of control: Rethinking school device policies

November 7, 2025September 2, 2025 by Emily Smith, HonestWaves

Are we trying to eliminate cell phones in classrooms, or are we trying to teach responsible use via 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…

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.

Newsline

Counslr Launches in Schools Across the Country to Increase Mental Health Care Access

August 12, 2025 by ESchool Media Contributors

New York, NY, August 12, 2025 – Counslr, a leading mental health and wellness platform, announced today that it has expanded its ... Read more

Education Policy & Funding

Radical transparency in school benefits: A smarter way to manage public dollars

August 7, 2025 by Jonathan Jallad, Acentria Public Risk, a Foundation Risk Partners Company

Transparency is a path to fiscal responsibility, employee trust, and strategic clarity in school healthcare and school district benefits.

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.

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.

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…

Live @ ISTE 2025

ISTE Takeaways:What’s the Deal with Data—EdTech Research and Challenges

July 15, 2025July 15, 2025 by Kevin Hogan

While districts understand the value of data, they often lack confidence in knowing what specific data to demand from EdTech ... Read more

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.

Edtech Trends

Districts are more selective about edtech tools as they face a budget crisis

July 9, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

A new report offers a comprehensive view of how districts are navigating the crowded and complex landscape of edtech tools.

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…

Live @ ISTE 2025

Look Who’s Talking—Bringing STEM Up To Speed

July 3, 2025July 3, 2025 by Kevin Hogan

Tim presented at no less than seven sessions at ISTE this year, focusing on cross-disciplinary STEAM education and meaningful AI ... Read more

Newsline

First AI-Powered Special Education Management Platform Helps Districts Reach 100% IEP Compliance

July 3, 2025July 1, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

Sanford, N.C. — With school districts nationwide struggling to meet growing special education demands amid staffing shortages and political pressure ... Read more

Live @ ISTE 2025

Showfloor News: Gale and ConnectEDD Publishing focus on PD

July 1, 2025 by Laura Ascione

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

June 10, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

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

AI in education needs more than innovation–it needs intention

September 4, 2025June 10, 2025 by Sari Factor, Imagine Learning

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 in Education

AI prompt engineering: A critical new skillset for 21st-century teachers

June 4, 2025June 4, 2025 by Timothy Montalvo, Iona University

Prompt engineering is not just about using AI--it’s about using it wisely, ethically, and creatively in teaching and learning.

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,…

AI in Education

How students are really using AI tools: What schools need to know

May 29, 2025 by Teodora Pavkovic, Linewize

It's time for schools and districts to craft AI usage policies to guide their students in the expected and appropriate use of these tools.

AI is fast becoming the tool that we soon won’t be able to do without. And yet, only a quarter of districts in the U.S. have released a formal…

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.

Teacher Well-Being

The unseen connection between student absenteeism and teacher burnout

May 22, 2025 by Dr. Michelle Fry, SchoolStatus

Despite clear links between absenteeism and teacher burnout, most educators lack real-time access to data for timely interventions.

The current education crisis isn't just about the need to support student academic recovery--it's also about teacher retention. As districts nationwide struggle to keep classrooms staffed, many fail…

Newsline

GEAR UP South Carolina Partners with National Math and Science Initiative to Expand High-Quality STEM Professional Development Across Seven School Districts

May 20, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

DALLAS / COLUMBIA, S.C. — The National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) is proud to announce a new partnership with ... 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

District Management

At a grim time for math test scores, these districts buck the trend

November 7, 2025May 15, 2025 by Steven Yoder, The Hechinger Report, Chalkbeat

$Higher achievement in 8th grade math is associated with higher income and more education, and in Tennessee, math test scores are encouraging.$

In early February, seventh grade math teacher Jamie Gallimore tried something new: She watched herself teach class. The idea had come from Ed Baker, district math coach at…

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

Innovation in Education

Remote Learning Strategies: Beyond the Pandemic

May 14, 2025 by Kevin Hogan

This month’s episode explores how remote and digital learning has evolved beyond emergency pandemic measures into strategic, purpose-driven educational approaches. ... Read more

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