visit Archives

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.

Digital Learning Tools

5 keys to turn escape rooms into classroom inspiration

March 12, 2026March 10, 2026 by Michael Grieb, Van Andel Institute for Education

Using the Engineering Design Process and Process of Scientific Inquiry can help educators design educational escape rooms that are meaningful.

Have you ever been to an escape room? For those unfamiliar with the term, an escape room is a structured, problem-solving experience where participants are locked in a…

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

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…

ELL

The biliteracy advantage: How heritage languages boost English proficiency and workforce readiness

March 2, 2026 by José Viana, Ed.D., Lexia

Embracing multilingual learners cultivates the next generation of confident, literate, and globally ready citizens.

In just one academic year, Marietta City Schools in Georgia saw the percentage of elementary English learners (ELs) working in or above grade level rocket from 11 percent…

College and Career Readiness

New partnership expands access to flexible career-connected learning

February 25, 2026 by ESchool News Staff

A new partnership provides flexible career-connected learning units designed for microschools and other emerging education models.

Microschools are small learning environments that typically serve a limited number of students and emphasize personalization and strong relationships. Often blending elements of traditional schooling, project-based learning, and…

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.

Literacy

Why schools and public libraries must unite–in summer and all year long

February 19, 2026February 19, 2026 by Britten Follett, Follett Content Solutions

When schools and public libraries work together, they don’t just promote summer reading--they nurture lifelong readers.

Some of the most effective literacy ecosystems today are those where schools and public libraries work not in parallel, but in partnership with parents and students.

Teaching Trends

Fueling student passion for STEM with project-based learning

February 18, 2026 by Tami Brook, STEM School Highlands Ranch

Through PBL, students actively engage in real-world problems that require them to use STEM concepts to solve complex problems.

We live in an ever-evolving world, powered by advancements across STEM fields. Today, STEM has become increasingly intertwined with how we live our daily lives--from how we learn,…

Literacy

What’s in and out in literacy instruction for 2026

February 11, 2026 by Stacy Hurst, Reading Horizons

Solving the literacy crisis requires commitment to implementation and letting go of familiar approaches that aren't serving students.

The conversation around literacy instruction has reached a turning point. After decades of debate, we're finally seeing a broad consensus around evidence-based practices--but the challenge now is moving…

AI in Education

Despite platform fatigue, educators use AI to bridge resource gaps

February 2, 2026 by ESchool News Staff

Better integration between AI tools and digital learning tools may help relieve educator frustration, according to a new survey.

Sixty-five percent of educators use AI to bridge resource gaps, even as platform fatigue and a lack of system integration threaten productivity, according to Jotform's EdTech Trends 2026 report.

AI in Education

AI in edtech: The 2026 efficacy imperative

January 29, 2026 by Rishi Raj Gera, Magic Edtech

A strong and solid AI strategy will enable education leaders to answer what improved, for whom, and under what conditions.

AI has crossed a threshold. In 2026, it is no longer a pilot category or a differentiator you add on. It is part of the operating fabric of…

Curriculum & Assessment

Sparking civic engagement as we approach America’s 250th

January 23, 2026 by Melaney Sánchez, Ph.D., Mt. Harmony Elementary

When every subject and resource become hubs for civic engagement, students begin to see citizenship as something they live.

Imagine students who understand how government works and who see themselves as vital contributors to their communities. That’s what happens when students are given opportunities to play a…

College and Career Readiness

Measuring student global competency learning using direct peer connections

January 22, 2026 by Marjorie B. Tiven, Global Cities, Inc.

Global competency can be taught--and measured--with simple but powerful strategies educators everywhere can use.

Our students are coming of age in a world that demands global competency. From economic interdependence to the accelerating effects of climate change and mass migration, students need…

AI in Education

AI for empathy: Using generative tools to deepen, not replace, human connection in schools

January 13, 2026 by Timothy Montalvo, Iona University & the College of Westchester

AI can’t perform human actions like empathy for us, but it can help students and educators practice and prepare for them.

For the last two years, conversations about AI in education have tended to fall into two camps: excitement about efficiency or fear of replacement. Teachers worry they’ll lose…

IT Innovations

Connected campuses: Modernizing education communications for safety and simplicity

January 12, 2026 by Damon Covey, GoTo

Modernized education communication isn't just convenient, but functions to bolster safety and responsiveness.

Schools, colleges, and universities face growing challenges in keeping their communities informed, connected, and engaged.

Teaching Trends

5 tips for educators using video

January 9, 2026 by Karl M. Kapp, Ed.D., Learning and Development Mentor Academy

Educators can create instructional videos to save time, expand their reach, and create greater impacts on their students

When you need to fix your sink, learn how to use AI, or cook up a new recipe, chances are you searched on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or even…

AI in Education

AI use is on the rise, but is guidance keeping pace?

January 2, 2026 by Laura Ascione

As AI becomes a fixture in schools, educators and students need reliable guidance on how to use it well--especially as AI use evolves.

The rapid rise of generative AI has turned classrooms into a real-time experiment in technology use. Students are using AI to complete assignments, while teachers are leveraging it…

ELL

How an AI-generated song transformed my ELL classroom

December 16, 2025 by Nesreen El-Baz, Bloomsbury Education Author & School Governor

The true power of AI lies not in replacing learning, but in opening doors for every learner, including ELL students, to express who they are.

A trending AI song went viral, but in my classroom, it did something even more powerful: it unlocked student voice.

Teacher Professional Development

4 ways AI can make your PD more effective

December 4, 2025 by Andy Szeto, Ed.D, Professor and District Administrator

AI can help PD facilitators design activities that meet everyone’s needs while keeping the group moving forward together.

If you lead professional learning, whether as a school leader or PD facilitator, your goal is to make each session relevant, engaging, and lasting. AI can help you…

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…

College and Career Readiness

Powering college readiness through community partnerships

November 21, 2025 by Jeffrey A. Elliott, UWorld

Too many Texas high school students graduate unprepared for college. We need collective action to close the college readiness gap.

Texas faces a widening gap between high school completion and college readiness. Educators are already doing important and demanding work, but closing this gap will require systemic solutions,…

Teacher Well-Being

The economic squeeze: Understanding how inflation affects teacher well-being and career decisions

November 7, 2025 by Dr. Jason Richardson, Garden City Elementary School & the International University of the Caribbean

Due to inflation, teacher well-being and self-efficacy are impacted by a struggle to maintain their standard of living.

In recent years, the teaching profession has faced unprecedented challenges, with inflation emerging as a significant factor affecting educators' professional lives and career choices.

Classroom Management

Room to grow: Creating a classroom built for success

November 5, 2025 by Dr. Sue Ann Highland, School Specialty

Classroom design can directly benefit student outcomes and success, and can also contribute to teacher well-being.

For decades, curriculum, pedagogy, and technology have evolved to meet the changing needs of students. But in many schools, the classroom environment itself hasn’t kept pace.

College and Career Readiness

Why mentorship networks are essential in the college admissions process

October 15, 2025 by Dr. Mike Manzella, SSP International

Supportive college mentorship networks can alleviate the school counselor shortage and help high school students navigate the process.

As the vice president of academic affairs and a member of the admissions committee at SSP International (SSPI), a nonprofit organization offering immersive scientific experiences, I review hundreds…

Universal Design for Learning

Next gen learning spaces: UDL in action

October 13, 2025 by Leslie Stebbins, Research4Ed

Learning spaces and UDL changes can significantly influence student engagement, well-being, and academic achievement.

By embracing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles in purchasing decisions, school leaders can create learning spaces that not only accommodate students with disabilities but enhance the educational…

School Management

Rethinking the role of guest teachers

September 29, 2025September 29, 2025 by Johanna A. Tortosa Earsley, School District of Lee County

One Florida district shows how investing in guest teachers transforms school culture, improves fill rates, and supports student success.

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…

AI in Education

Digital dementia: Are we outsourcing our thinking to AI?

September 25, 2025 by Laura Hakala, Magic EdTech

When it comes to AI, students need to learn critical thinking skills before they delegate that thinking to a machine.

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…

Student Well-Being

The untaught lesson: Prioritizing behavior as essential learning

September 10, 2025 by Dr. Tami Dean, The Equity Hour Podcast & Kareeme Hawkins, RethinkEd and Pivot Path Strategic Solutions

Education’s future depends on making student behavior essential--let’s teach it with care and intentionality.

In classrooms across the country, students are mastering their ABCs, solving equations, and diving into science. But one essential life skill--behavior--is not in the lesson plan.

College and Career Readiness

Choice-ready: Exploring a new standard for preparing students for the future of work

September 5, 2025 by Dr. John Stover, Rockingham County Schools

Choice-ready students can move fluidly from one path to another as their interests--and the world--evolve for the future of work.

As AI, automation, and global connectivity continue to reshape every industry, today’s students are stepping into a world where lifelong careers in a single field are increasingly rare.

Classroom Management

3 steps to build belonging in the classroom

August 27, 2025 by Brandy Arnold, Wayfinder

Establishing classroom norms with students isn’t just about managing behavior; it’s about creating a culture of trust and support.

The first few weeks of school are more than a fresh start--they’re a powerful opportunity to lay the foundation for the relationships, habits, and learning that will define…

School Management

The complex dynamics of principal turnover in modern educational institutions

August 22, 2025 by Dr. Jason Richardson, Garden City Elementary School & the International University of the Caribbean

Leadership stability during principal turnover plays a crucial role in maintaining a consistent and experienced teaching staff.

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.

COVID in Schools

Post-pandemic, student academic recovery remains elusive

August 13, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

A new report reveals that persistent post-pandemic challenges in reading and mathematics hamper student academic recovery.

Five years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, academic recovery has stalled nationwide, and achievement gaps have widened, according to the State of Student Learning 2025 report from from Curriculum Associates.

Literacy

5 steps to a successful literacy training rollout for teachers

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

Teachers are busy, but educators will be inspired when they see the tangible results of their professional learning in literacy.

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…

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.

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.

Trauma-Informed Teaching

Resilient MTSS: Adding a trauma-responsive lens for student support

August 6, 2025 by Vivien Villaverde, USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work

A supportive school community serves as a strong childhood protective factor against the effects of trauma--and MTSS helps.

Across the country, our schools are being taxed beyond their capacity to support educational success. We’ve known for a long time that students need a three-dimensional structure of…

Literacy

Emergent writing: 3 ways to plant seeds for lifelong literacy

August 4, 2025 by Dr. Christina Bretz, Learning Without Tears

Emergent writing is a critical milestone in early childhood literacy, when children first connect symbols with meaning.

Just as a gardener plants seeds and nurtures them into strong, flourishing plants, early childhood educators have the opportunity to nurture the earliest seeds of literacy in young…

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