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Most districts still struggle to fill specialist roles

July 7, 2026July 7, 2026 by ESchool Media Contributors

Specialist roles like special education, psychology, and nursing roles remain among the hardest to fill in the majority of school districts.

As school districts prepare for the 2026–27 academic year, new national data from BlazerWorks reveals a growing staffing crisis across K–12 education, with more than 90% of district leaders reporting increased…

College and Career Readiness

The hidden curriculum gap

July 7, 2026July 1, 2026 by Dr. KC Curberson-Alvarado, Alliance for Decision Education & H3 Solutions Group

Aligning CTE with Decision Education can prepare students for their first step after graduation--and for every decision that follows.

A post-graduation readiness report by YouScience found that the majority of graduating high school seniors lack confidence in their post-graduation plans, including choosing a college, paying for it,…

District Management

Outcomes-based partnerships and accountability are the future of education

June 30, 2026 by Mark Angel, Amira Learning

Edtech and educators must take shared ownership of doing what matters--driving student growth--through outcomes-based partnerships.

The answer to stagnating test scores is not adopting technology that has never demonstrated any ability to move test scores. Educators have to finally recognize that hope is not a strategy…

Teacher Well-Being

Teacher burnout is at an all-time high

June 26, 2026 by RAND Media

In addition to teacher burnout, many also report lower pay, second jobs, and out-of-pocket classroom spending.

Teacher stress declined modestly in 2026, but teachers were still far more likely than similar working adults to report higher stress, worse well-being and greater financial strain, extending a…

Teaching Trends

The future researcher in every fifth grader: The case for curiosity-first teaching

June 18, 2026 by Dr. Rayna Freedman, Jordan/Jackson Elementary School

A Massachusetts teacher has spent her career building a classroom culture where her students argue, wonder, and bring history home.

I've been teaching fifth grade in Massachusetts for 26 years. I hated social studies as a kid. I found it boring, heavy on dates and facts, and light…

Teacher Professional Development

Maybe we have too much teacher training

June 15, 2026June 15, 2026 by Adam Geller, Edthena

When budgeting for teacher development, the focus should remain on what kind of training districts are funding.

“Maybe we have too much teacher training.” That headline is a sentence I never thought I’d write, given that I run a company built around supporting teachers’ professional…

AI in Education

In a new survey, AI scores high as a math learning tool

May 12, 2026 by ESchool News Staff

$Sixty-eight percent of surveyed students say they turn to AI tools for math assignments or exams when they need extra help.$

AI plays a supportive educational role for nearly 70 percent of top-performing math students asked about their study habits, according to a new survey.

Teaching Trends

Why so many students struggle in math before learning even begins

May 6, 2026May 6, 2026 by Nigel Nisbet, Mind Education

$Aligning math learning and math instruction with how the brain learns opens access for every student to achieve success.$

In mathematics education, we have long relied on a familiar sequence: introduce vocabulary, demonstrate procedures, and assign practice. For some students, this works well enough.

AI in Education

When AI means something different in every classroom

May 5, 2026 by Alex Luciano, Bilingual Second Grade Teacher, Central Islip, NY

AI is already in the classroom--will we give it a place that makes sense for teaching and learning as the technology evolves?

In many schools, AI is being handled through individual teacher decisions rather than a shared structure. That makes sense in the short term. Teachers are responding in real…

Classroom Management

Gender-specific education: Examining boys’ educational needs and learning strategies

April 29, 2026 by Dr. Jason Richardson, Garden City Elementary School & the International University of the Caribbean

Success lies not in rigid gender-based education but in creating diverse learning environments that can accommodate various learning styles.

In recent years, educational research has sparked significant discussion about whether boys and girls learn differently and if gender-specific teaching strategies could enhance academic outcomes.

Student Well-Being

Why students disengage before they fall behind

April 21, 2026 by Lynna Martinez-Khalilian

The belonging gap emerges when students experience school as a place where they’re not fully known, seen, or valued for who they are.

I once met a student who had attended three different schools before arriving at mine. His parents described him in familiar terms: quiet, disengaged, unmotivated.

Emergency Planning & Response

Protecting teachers from workplace violence as student behavior challenges rise

April 17, 2026April 14, 2026 by Dr. Roderick Sams, CENTEGIX

Violence against teachers in the workplace contributes to issues like burnout and some educators leaving the profession altogether.

Schools have seen rising problems with student behavior since the pandemic. For too many K-12 districts, these student behavior challenges are leading to violence against teachers.

Featured on eSchool News

A new need-to-know for the AI classroom

April 17, 2026April 10, 2026 by ESchool Media Contributors

In an AI-rich classroom where ideas are abundant and answers are cheap, the scarce resource is not information--it is ownership.

Most project-based learning workshops are built around three domains: design, assessment, and implementation.

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.

District Management

Don’t mistake staff voice for a problem

April 3, 2026 by Andy Szeto, Ed.D, Professor and District Administrator

School leaders must make space for staff to express concerns and offer suggestions, because staff voice is critical to district success.

As children, we play hide-and-seek. There is a kind of logic to it: If you cannot see me, then I cannot see you. As adults, and sometimes as…

District Management

How to navigate historically high absenteeism

March 27, 2026 by ESchool News Staff

Truly successful chronic absenteeism solutions are those that focus on re-engaging students with their school communities.

Chronic absenteeism has stabilized at historically high levels, signaling a long-term engagement challenge rather than a short-term pandemic disruption, according to a new national white paper released by…

Student Well-Being

Taking a deeper look at students’ well-being

March 24, 2026 by ESchool News Staff

A new analysis reveals quiet but meaningful improvements in student well-being, behavior, and connection--despite ongoing academic challenges

The dominant narrative around today’s students is bleak: declining test scores, post-pandemic learning loss, and widespread concerns about student behavior and mental health.

K-12 Cybersecurity

Why digital resilience is critical for U.S. K-12 schools

March 23, 2026 by James Griffin, CyberSentriq

Education depends on stability--in a digital-first environment, that stability increasingly rests on cyber resilience.

While prevention remains essential, 2025 has reinforced a hard lesson for district leaders: it’s not a question of if a cyber incident will occur, but how prepared a…

District Management

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…

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