IT Archives

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.

Teaching Trends

Plenty of schools have no-zeroes policies. And most teachers hate it, a new survey finds

October 17, 2025 by Kalyn Belsha, Chalkbeat

Many schools are rethinking what students should have to do to get a high school diploma, and how well no-zero policies work.

About one in four teachers say their schools don’t give students zeroes. And nearly all of them hate it.

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.

Curriculum & Assessment

How teachers and administrators can overcome resistance to NGSS

October 9, 2025 by Nancy Nasr, Ed.D., Santa Paula Unified School District

A helpful first step is to approach the NGSS not as a set of standards, but rather a set of performance expectations.

Although the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) were released more than a decade ago, adoption of them varies widely in California. I have been to districts that have…

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…

Literacy

Building a literacy framework that works: A district leader’s journey in Peoria

September 23, 2025 by Lindsay Bohm, Peoria (Ill.) Public Schools District 150

AI can be more than a tool--it can help every student reach their fullest potential, and teachers who are supported help students achieve.

When I stepped into the role of curriculum coordinator for Peoria Public Schools District 150 in 2021, I entered a landscape still reeling from the disruption of COVID-19.…

Curriculum & Assessment

The advantages of supplementing curriculum

September 23, 2025September 19, 2025 by Dr. Yuvraj Verma, Bessemer City Middle School and William Howard Taft University

The most successful classrooms are not those that follow a book, but those where teachers supplement curriculum to benefit all learners.

Classroom teachers are handed a curriculum they must use when teaching. That specific curriculum is designed to bring uniformity, equity, and accountability into classrooms.

Literacy

4 tips to help older K-12 readers

September 17, 2025 by Miah Daughtery, EdD, NWEA

Middle schoolers and older readers will encounter interdisciplinary subjects that play a unique role in their developing literacy skills.

Teachers are noticing that older readers need ongoing support to read materials used in their classrooms. In a study commissioned by the Advanced Education Research and Development Fund…

AI in Education

Why AI’s true power in education isn’t about saving time

September 16, 2025 by Melissa Serio, GoGuardian

AI's purpose in education isn't to automate teaching, but to clear space for the creativity, experimentation, and human connection.

As a former teacher, educator coach and principal, I've witnessed countless edtech promises come and go. The latest refrain echoes through conference halls and staff meetings: "AI saves…

Special Needs

Supporting neurodiverse learners requires more than accommodation: It demands systemic change

September 12, 2025 by Dr. Melanie Johnson, Collaborative for Children

Neurotypical students who learn alongside neurodiverse students and peers develop critical social-emotional skills.

Approximately 1 in 5 children in the United States are estimated to be neurodivergent, representing a spectrum of learning and thinking differences such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and…

AI in Education

5 keys to AI success: A roadmap for K–12 administrators

September 9, 2025 by Ben Talsma, Van Andel Institute for Education

AI and its growing presence can make teachers nervous, but it doesn’t change the fundamental mission of education.

Like many educators, I have strong feelings about the abundance of artificial intelligence now used in schools. Some teachers choose to take a Gandalf approach to AI and…

AI in Education

5 ways to infuse AI into your classroom this school year

September 1, 2025 by Timothy Montalvo, Iona University

AI won’t replace teachers--but thoughtful AI use can lead to deeper student engagement and increased classroom efficiency.

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape the educational landscape, teachers have a unique opportunity to model how to use it responsibly, creatively, and strategically.

Newsline

Catapult Learning is Awarded Tutoring Program Design Badge from Stanford University’s National Student Support Accelerator

August 26, 2025 by ESchool News Contributor

The recent development of large language models like ChatGPT has opened new possibilities for the implementation of computer-based tutors.

Organization recognized for excellence in high-impact tutoring design and student achievement gains PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 25, 2025 – Catapult Learning, a division of ... Read more

Teaching Trends

The power of instructional intent statements in assignment design

August 18, 2025 by Steven M. Baule, Ed.D., Ph.D.

Weaving instructional intent statements into assignment design represents a shift toward more transparent, student-centered pedagogy

In education--and particularly with my graduate students in higher education--students occasionally focus on the individual points of an assignment rubric instead of stepping back and looking holistically at…

2025 AI in Education – A Microsoft Special Report

September 17, 2025August 16, 2025 by Jeff Festa

To better understand the state of AI in education, Microsoft Education has conducted numerous studies and surveys and collaborated with ... Read more

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

Literacy

5 steps to a successful literacy training rollout for teachers

August 12, 2025 by Catherine Guillory, Lafayette Parish School System

A lot of teachers assume that once students get to fourth or fifth grade, they already know how to read. And while this is true most of the…

Literacy

Nine in 10 educators back evidence-based reading, but training and implementation lag

August 12, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

A new whitepaper around the science of reading IDs gaps in preparation, uneven curriculum adoption, and high demand for professional learning

While most New York educators enthusiastically support the science of reading, few report using it as their primary approach to literacy instruction, according to a new statewide survey conducted by…

Teacher Professional Development

We’re losing STEM teachers–here are 5 ways to keep them and grow the ones we need

August 11, 2025 by Olga Vargas, Vernier Science Education

Recruiting and retaining STEM teachers isn’t just about filling vacancies--it’s about giving every student an opportunity to be inspired.

The critical shortage of qualified STEM teachers continues to challenge schools and districts across the country. This is especially true in high-need schools where early-career or uncertified teachers…

Student Well-Being

Supporting youth mental health through connection, creativity, and community

August 11, 2025 by Dr. Adam Weissman, The Child & Family Institute and the Weissman Children's Foundation

The mental health needs of students are evolving, and our systems have struggled to keep up. For many families, accessing care is still time-consuming, costly, or confusing.

This Fall Bring Gaming To the Classroom with Gaming Concepts

September 17, 2025August 8, 2025 by Jeff Festa

Gaming Concepts is a turn-key, standards-aligned curriculum that uses gaming to teach academic, social, and career skills. Whether you’re in ... Read more

AI in Education

Integrating AI into education is not as daunting as it seems

August 8, 2025 by Melody Schopp, SAS

Lessons on AI and learning from an education veteran who helped educators through several technological transformations.

Forty-some years ago, students sat in straight rows with books, papers, and pencils neatly lined up on their desks. But beginning in the 1990s, educators faced very different…

AI in Education

Just thank ChatGPT: How teens turned a secret tool into a shared success

January 14, 2026August 6, 2025 by Nesreen El-Baz, ESL Educator

AI isn’t going away--it’s already the silent partner in many students’ academic journeys, and educators should support them.

The more we listen to our students, the clearer it becomes: AI is not on the sidelines of learning anymore, it’s at the center. Students are using it…

K-12 Cybersecurity

5 cybersecurity green flags: A practical guide for sourcing edtech

August 1, 2025 by Ben Johnson, Prodigy Education

Every school district can take meaningful, manageable steps to reduce risk, establish guardrails, and build trust with cybersecurity.

Although educators are excited to innovate, school leaders must weigh every new app or online platform against cybersecurity risks and the responsibility of protecting student data.

AI in Education

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

December 9, 2025July 31, 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…

AI in Education

From pen to prompt: Navigating AI in the classroom

July 28, 2025 by Kris Astle, SMART Technologies

Students can (and should) still show their work in the age of AI--but it might look a little different in today's classroom.

Education helps develop our cognitive muscles. Letting AI do it for us is not the answer, but could AI be a thought partner to help build this skill?…

Innovation Insights

eSchool News Live @InstructureCon25

July 23, 2025July 23, 2025 by Kevin Hogan

Spokane, Washington, may not be the first place you think of when downloading some of the biggest edtech news of ... Read more

AI in Education

5 AI tools that offer more than hype

July 23, 2025July 23, 2025 by Laura Ascione

High-impact AI tools in education typically provide real-time feedback on student work and adapt instruction based on performance.

The term "AI-powered" is today's most popular buzzword--particularly in education. A growing number of edtech tools now claim to leverage AI, promising smarter, faster, and more personalized learning…

K-12 Cybersecurity

Rethinking K-12 cyber strategies amid federal budget cuts

July 21, 2025 by Gary Barlet, Illumio

Incremental but intentional steps to strengthen cyber hygiene help school districts improve their security posture and realize savings.

The recent suspension of the K-12 Cybersecurity Government Coordinating Council marks a pivotal shift in how the nation’s public school systems manage cybersecurity.

AI in Education

AI tools are everyday study buddies, survey finds

July 21, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Over-reliance on AI tools yields surface-level learning instead of the cognitive involvement that leads to long-term learning.

Across the U.S., AI tools are becoming go-to learning companions for students--helping them brainstorm essays, practice languages, and solve tough math problems.

District Management

Real talk: What it really takes to lead successful grading reform

November 7, 2025July 18, 2025 by David Specht, Otus

After 10 years of reimagining grading, these school leaders are still evolving when it comes to grading reform and standards-based grading.

What started as a deeply rooted effort to promote equity has grown into a districtwide, cross-curricular system that blends teacher voice, clarity for families, and support from the…

STEM & STEAM Trends

Young minds: New teachers’ impact on equitable science learning

July 18, 2025 by Fernanda Pires, University of Michigan

A new study examines how different approaches to equity in science education work together, potentially influencing future teachers and PD.

New elementary teachers who promote equity in science are proving highly effective at engaging students, no matter their background, a new University of Michigan study shows.

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

How Kai Cenat saved my high school English class

July 15, 2025 by Mathias Muschal, Cardinal Ritter College Prep, Archdiocese of St. Louis

When students have opportunities to record their thoughts on video, they communicate effectively in a modern medium without turning to AI.

Like many teachers since the public release of ChatGPT, I’ve encountered frustration. For a lot of us, it has felt as though we are spending more of our…

Education Policy & Funding

School choice and homeschool freedom go hand in hand

July 15, 2025 by Colleen Hroncich, the Cato Institute & Ben DeGrow, ExcelinEd

Efforts to increase homeschool regulations have been spurred by support for school choice and a growth in home education post-COVID.

“The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” Many homeschoolers have embraced this lesson after learning it the hard way. That vigilance has paid off recently in a couple of…

Teacher Professional Development

The Tennessee Educational Technology Association: A blueprint for success

July 9, 2025 by Simon Weller, UDT

For K-12 professional organizations, a commitment to professional growth and support benefits school districts as edtech evolves.

Since its official founding in 1994, the Tennessee Educational Technology Association (TETA) has been a driving force in uniting K-12 leaders across the state, championing the advancement of…

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

ISTE Takeaways—What It Takes To Win the Impact Award

July 8, 2025July 3, 2025 by Kevin Hogan

Jean-Claude, one of the recipients of the prestigious 2025 Impact award, highlighted three key ISTE takeaways: co-design in educational technology, ... Read more

STEM & STEAM Trends

Amid discouraging math scores, are states improving elementary math instruction?

July 3, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

$Better preparation and support for elementary teachers to provide strong math instruction can improve academic and life outcomes for students.$

A new report from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) finds that most states fall short when it comes to preparing and supporting elementary teachers to effectively…

Login