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…
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Why every middle school student deserves a second chance to learn to read
Between kindergarten and second grade, much of the school day is dedicated to helping our youngest students master phonics, syllabication, and letter-sound correspondence--the essential building blocks to lifelong…
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,…
School Specialty LLC Announces Acquisition of Nasco Education U.S.
Greenville, Wis – December 8, 2025 – School Specialty®, a leading provider of learning environments, supplies and science curriculum to ... Read more
Solving the staffing crisis is key to the Science of Reading movement
As someone who’s dedicated my career to advancing the Science of Reading movement, I’ve seen firsthand what it takes to help every child become a strong, fluent reader.
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…
3 reasons to switch to virtual set design
If you’ve attended a professional show or musical recently, chances are you’ve seen virtual set design in action. This approach to stage production has gained so much traction…
100 Learning Spaces Transformed, $5 Million Invested: School Specialty and College Football Playoff Foundation Celebrate Impact Across Schools Nationwide
New media center at North Dade Middle School marks milestone in initiative revitalizing learning environments to benefit the entire learning ... Read more
From silos to systems: The digital advantage in schools
When I first stepped into my role overseeing student data for the Campbell County School District, it was clear we were working against a system that no longer…
Teaching math the way the brain learns changes everything
Far too many students enter math class expecting to fail. For them, math isn’t just a subject--it’s a source of anxiety that chips away at their confidence and…
Truth vs. risk management: How to move forward
In the world of K-12 education, teachers are constantly making decisions that affect their students and families. In contrast, administrators are tasked with something even bigger: making decisions…
Top Security Challenges and Solutions for Education
Educational institutions face an unprecedented array of cybersecurity issues. From elementary schools to major research universities, academic organizations must balance ... Read more
From explaining to empowering: How tutors can support student thinking
Consider the work of a personal trainer. They can explain and model a workout perfectly, but if the athlete isn’t the one doing the lifting, their muscles won’t…
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
3 strategies to boost student reading fluency this school year
With the new school year now rolling, teachers and school leaders are likely being hit with a hard truth: Many students are not proficient in reading.
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…
5 essential AI tech tools for back-to-school success
By now, the 2025-2026 school year is well underway. The glow of new beginnings has faded, and the process of learning has begun in earnest. No doubt there…
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.
Why education leaders must highlight their people
When I asked my executive assistant to proof my first superintendent’s report for the public board packet, she came back and said that she was surprised that I…
Tools and ideas to engage students in career-connected learning
For nearly two decades, I’ve worked to improve teaching and learning with technology. And while the continuously evolving nature of technology has changed the trajectory of my career…
Developing a Curriculum? Review These 7 Common Challenges
Whether you’re an educator within a school district, or an EdTech curriculum developer creating content for a wide range of ... Read more
Strengthening middle school literacy: What educators need to know
Literacy has always been the foundation of learning, but for middle school students, the stakes are especially high. These years mark the critical shift from learning to read…
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…
Take a Layered Approach to School Security – Guide
Understand the importance of a layered security strategy and evaluate whether you have each of the core components. Whether you’re ... Read more
Rethinking the role of guest teachers
When I think about the importance of consistent classroom coverage, I always come back to the idea that students deserve to feel like their classroom is their home…
Digital dementia: Are we outsourcing our thinking to AI?
I’ll admit that I use AI. I’ve asked it to help me figure out challenging Excel formulas that otherwise would have taken me 45 minutes and a few…
Back-to-school success for all: Building vital classroom skills
As students and teachers prepare for a new school year, it’s important to remember that success in the classroom isn’t just about academics; it’s about supporting the whole child.
Four education innovators honored with the 2025 Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education
Four leaders charting bold new paths in education will be celebrated as the 2025 recipients of the Harold W. McGraw, ... Read more
Strengthening family engagement to support the science of reading
While most teachers are eager to implement the science of reading, many lack the time and tools to connect these practices to home-based support, according to a new…
4 tips to help older K-12 readers
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…
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.
4 tips to create an engaging digital syllabus
Back-to-school season arrives every year with a mixed bag of emotions for most educators, including anticipation and excitement, but also anxiety.
5 ways to infuse AI into your classroom this school year
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.
8 Must-Have Features of a Winning School Library Management System
Invest in your students’ futures with MackinVision. This new school library resource management tool delivers intuitive browsing, secure access, ... Read more
The complex dynamics of principal turnover in modern educational institutions
The departure and replacement of school principals represents one of the most significant organizational changes within educational institutions, creating ripple effects that permeate every aspect of school operations.
Preventing harm by connecting the dots in school safety
Swatting--false reports of school violence intended to trigger a police response--continues to increase across the country. During the 2022–2023 school year, nearly 64 percent of reported violent incidents…
Mental health screeners help ID hidden needs, research finds
A new DESSA screener to be released for the Fall ‘25 school year--designed to be paired with a strength-based student self-report assessment--accurately predicted well-being levels in 70 percent…
From disconnection to partnership: How consistent communication transformed our school culture
When I became principal of Grant Elementary a decade ago, I stepped into a school community that needed to come together. Family involvement was low, staff morale was…
Growing AI use in school PR leads to roadmap for responsible use
A new collaborative report from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) and engagement platform ThoughtExchange reveals a swift rise in the use of AI in K-12 communication…