school Archives

Leading in the in-between: A multi-track approach to leadership growth

June 12, 2026 by Andy Szeto, Ed.D, Professor and District Administrator

The time between earning a license and a school leadership role is not empty space in a career--it can become a defining stage of growth.

There is a period in the school leadership journey that we do not talk about enough: the time between earning an administrative license and actually becoming a school…

District Management

Engaging K-12 families over the summer

June 10, 2026 by Dr. Kara Stern, SchoolStatus

The school communications calendar between May and September is a single arc, and districts that use this window well have a genuine head start.

It’s easy to connect with the families who show up in September already invested: responding to messages, attending events, kids showing up on time. In most cases, building…

Curriculum & Assessment

Building math skills by designing backpacks: How PBL shifted the way students see math

June 9, 2026 by Melanie Grosso, Riverside Presbyterian Day School

$pbl helps students understand key math concepts$

Building a strong foundation in math during elementary and middle school is essential for success in the later grades. Because each concept builds on the last, students must…

District Management

Data alone doesn’t determine school success–leaders who know how to use it do

June 3, 2026 by Chris Rose, Abre

School leaders must weigh quantitative data against qualitative insight and focus on long-term outcomes rather than short-term fluctuations.

Educators often see recommendations, dashboards, and strategic plans labeled as “data-backed,” as if the numbers themselves drive outcomes. The truth is that data alone cannot make decisions or…

Beyond Audit Season – A Checklist for Finance

May 28, 2026 by Vcarlson

For K–12 school districts, audit readiness isn’t built during audit season. It’s built one transaction at a time—through consistent, controlled, ... Read more

District Management

When it comes to absenteeism, the real work begins in summer

May 26, 2026 by Piper Bognar, Van Dyke Public Schools

The effort required to maintain student connection to school and combat chronic absenteeism is extensive, continuous, and human-centered.

Every June, once the last bus leaves and the halls go quiet, I get the strong desire to take a deep breath and to allow the pressure of…

IT Innovations

Apple’s MacBook Neo has entered the K-12 debate–are IT teams ready for it?

May 25, 2026 by Apu Pavithran, Hexnode

MacBook Neo conversations are only the beginning--what matters more is if surrounding IT teams are ready to support the change.

The MacBook Neo may narrow a pricing gap, but it also exposes a management gap. A lower-cost Mac may be enough to spark fresh interest. However, it alone…

Teaching Trends

Summer isn’t just a season, it’s a strategy

June 12, 2026May 22, 2026 by Liz McChesney, National Summer Learning Association & Joan Brooks, Blue Star Education

Research from 35 years in literacy help to close opportunity gaps, build partnerships, and make summer learning count for every child.

Summer is full of learning opportunities that many children miss. When back-to-school season begins, some kids are already starting behind. That's all due to a lack of access…

School Library Innovations

Demonstrating impact with data: How librarians can make the case for increased funding

May 21, 2026 by Jennifer Miller, @MeetMeInTheMediaCenter

After years of spending all their time on smartphone screens, today’s students are heading back to the school library for a range of reasons.

Libraries are more than a quiet corner of school where students can pick up a book now and then--they are vibrant learning environments that support classroom curriculum, spark…

College and Career Readiness

Despite concerns, Gen Z students are optimistic about AI

May 20, 2026 by ESchool News Staff

A new report ranks Gen Z's top 100 dream colleges, preferred employers, and the values shaping their career decisions--including views on AI.

There’s never been a more turbulent time for young people to plan for and embark on their futures, and a new survey gives insights on their feelings and…

District Management

We can’t punish our way out of the attendance crisis

May 13, 2026 by Luvelle Brown, Ed.D, Ithaca City School District

Outreach around student attendance must be rooted in humanity, grounded in proximity, and carried out by those who know the community.

In the Ithaca City School District, we have long understood that relationships are not peripheral to the work; they are the work. A culture of love is not…

Literacy

This elementary school banned screens in the middle of the year. Will it solve their reading crisis?

May 8, 2026 by Lily Altavena, Chalkbeat

When it comes to the ban on screens, school leaders think it’s much easier to teach students technology skills than social skills.

Last month, Mesick Consolidated Schools banned digital devices in its elementary school of about 250 students. The decision wasn’t an agonizing one. The ban came at astonishing speed,…

ELL

Oracy is the missing link for multilingual learners

May 7, 2026 by Nesreen El-Baz, Bloomsbury Education Author & School Governor

When oracy is embedded, students move from answering to reasoning, from participation to contribution, and from silence to voice.

For multilingual learners, language is not just a subject to be learned--it is the very medium through which they access the curriculum.

AI in Education

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…

Literacy

5 ways to make reading click for teens

April 23, 2026 by Carey Sweet, The Reading League Florida Chapter

Five classroom-tested approaches that make reading engaging, relevant and sustainable for teens and middle school students.

Reading is competing for attention in a world built for scrolling. A recent University of Florida study found that the share of Americans who read for pleasure on…

Curriculum & Assessment

It’s time to rewrite math standards for the future–and to stop expecting AI to do it for us

April 12, 2026April 9, 2026 by Jill Diniz & James Tanton, SmartWithIt

$As we look ahead and begin to redefine math education, one thing is abundantly clear: AI won’t fix bad pedagogy.$

While nearly every industry is racing to integrate artificial intelligence, most schools are still teaching high school math the way it’s been done for decades--rooted in instructional material…

Student Well-Being

District leaders must adapt to meet changing student mental health and behavioral needs

April 7, 2026 by Brandy Samuell, M. Ed., & Kay Kelly, eLuma

How school systems are building clear, connected ways to respond as student mental health needs and student well-being needs grow.

District leaders across the country are grappling with a deepening crisis: Student mental and behavioral health needs are growing more complex. In a recent national survey, 58 percent…

District Management

Sustainable change starts with educator voice

April 6, 2026 by Timothy Montalvo, Iona University & the College of Westchester

When educator voice helps shape the work of their schools, change becomes a shared commitment to better outcomes for students.

School leaders everywhere are working to implement change--new initiatives, new instructional frameworks, new technologies, new approaches to student support.

Digital Learning Tools

A viral case against screens in schools is winning converts. Does the evidence hold up?

April 1, 2026 by Matt Barnum, Chalkbeat

In his book and Senate testimony, a neuroscientist offers a three-pronged case against screens and edtech in schools.

Schools have been struggling for nearly a decade with stagnant or declining test scores. Some have blamed external factors like the pandemic or children’s screen use outside of…

School Management

5 secrets to stronger high school connections

March 31, 2026 by Tracey Widmann, McDowell High School

A comprehensive school communication system often means the difference between parents knowing they’re true partners and feeling left out.

I’ve been a principal for 14 years, during which time I served as the leader of an alternative school, an early college, and a large middle school. Through…

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

AI in Education

Student use of AI for homework rises as concerns grow about critical thinking skills

March 25, 2026 by ESchool News Staff

Students are clearly embracing AI as a learning tool, but they’re also conflicted about what it means for their own learning.

Student use of AI for homework increased in 2025, even as more students are worried the technology may be harming their ability to think critically, according to a…

STEM & STEAM Trends

Boosting student engagement on World Math Day

March 20, 2026 by Sheila Robitaille, Educator and Administrator

$World Math Day builds lesson practice in a gaming environment and is very effective in helping students build a love for learning.$

If you’re feeling a bit sluggish (rightly so), most likely your students are. It may not feel like they are the prime audience for learning about multiplication, division,…

Literacy

From fragmentation to fidelity: How Wayne-Westland built a literacy system that works

March 16, 2026 by Nancy Schulz, Wayne-Westland Community School District

Proper diagnostics create a foundation to help close the literacy gap and drive measurable outcomes for all students.

On the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress, only about one in four fourth graders in Michigan scored at or above proficiency in reading--a stark reminder that too…

AI in Education

Nearly half of high school students now use AI in college search

March 4, 2026 by ESchool News Staff

A new survey of high school students finds AI has growing influence on whether students go to college, where they apply, and what they study.

AI is transforming the way students discover, evaluate, and choose colleges, according to a national survey of more than 5,000 high school students conducted by education company EAB.

District Management

Too many apps, too many missed messages

March 3, 2026 by Crystal Famania, Phoenix Elementary School District #1

How a 100 percent Title I district strengthened family trust through consistency and unifying school communication.

In our district, families were checking multiple apps just to keep up with school communication. One child’s teacher posted in one platform. Another school used something different. District…

College and Career Readiness

From high school to career: 6 CTE trends to track in 2026

February 27, 2026 by Dirk Butler, NAF

States and employers are increasingly integrating CTE into broader workforce and talent development strategies.

Without a doubt, career and technical education (CTE) is priceless for high school students wanting to get real-world, hands-on job skills before they graduate and turn their interests…

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…

Emergency Planning & Response

How location precision enhances safety and reduces response times in emergencies

February 24, 2026 by Peter Crosbie, CENTEGIX

Effective responses during school emergencies depend on knowing how to get to the right place at the right time and with the right resources.

In emergencies, time is the most valuable resource--and it’s often the one in shortest supply. Whether a medical crisis, fire, or security threat, the difference between a quick…

District Management

A smarter way to modernize aging school facilities

February 20, 2026 by Brett Taylor, Mooring USA

A practical framework for education leaders to prioritize safety, resilience, and continuity when upgrading aging school facilities.

School buildings quietly shape everything that happens inside them. When systems work as intended, learning moves forward uninterrupted. When they fail, instruction, safety, and trust can unravel quickly.

Newsline

Celebrating Teachers: Nominate Outstanding Educators for Crystal Apple Awards

February 17, 2026 by ESchool News Staff

School Specialty, a leading provider of learning environments, instructional solutions, and supplies for preK-12 education, is proud to celebrate outstanding educators with its 12th annual Crystal Apple Awards.

Literacy

5 high-frequency and irregular word teaching strategies rooted in the Science of Reading

February 10, 2026 by Kendall Stallings, Fairfield County (CT) Kindergarten Teacher

When it comes to teaching, educators can move beyond memorization and equip students with the tools they need for fluent, confident reading.

When students learn to read in the early elementary years, developing phonemic awareness, decoding skills, and blending typically take priority. Another essential component of fluent reading, however, is…

College and Career Readiness

Building pathways to purpose: How we can empower students for an uncertain future

February 15, 2026February 9, 2026 by Dr. David Dimmett, Project Lead the Way & Lisa Dughi, NAF

Students who receive exposure to career pathways through district and community partnerships have a better chance of professional success.

One day, something clicked for Jacob Griffin's students. Mr. Griffin, a teacher at the NAF Academy of Engineering at Southeast Raleigh High School in North Carolina, found that…

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)…

Newsline

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

February 3, 2026 by ESchool News Staff

Childcraft expands early learning beyond four walls and screens with durable, sustainable furniture designed for outdoor discovery.

Emergency Planning & Response

When seconds matter: Why in-building coverage is a lifeline for school safety

January 28, 2026 by Payam Maveddat, Wilson Connectivity

Every student, teacher, and responder deserves the same chance to communicate in an emergency, and school communications coverage is critical

During a school emergency, every minute that passes is crucial, but in those moments, a reliable connection can mean the difference between confusion and coordinated response.

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.

Student Well-Being

The rise of remote psychoeducational testing: What school leaders need to know

January 6, 2026 by Stephanie Taylor, Ed.S., NCSP, Taylored Education Solutions

Remote testing isn’t just a novelty--it’s a practical, scalable solution that is rooted in evidence to help students with mental health.

Special education is at a breaking point. Across the country, more children than ever are being referred for evaluations to determine whether they qualify for special education services.

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…

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