Curriculum

  • A hand is holding a pencil that is shading in bubbles on a test sheet
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    What role could AI play in reimagining assessment?

    The technology’s uses in testing could include creating a snapshot of where a learner is and what their needs are based on results, says one expert.

    By Ed Finkel • Oct. 8, 2026
  • An elementary school student and adult sit at a table in a classroom. They are looking at the inside of a book on the table.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Fly View Productions via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Strong relationships are critical to building student resilience, researchers say

    Students need chances to learn from failure, overcome traumas and empower themselves, say two experts from Harvard Graduate School of Education.

    By Ed Finkel • Oct. 7, 2026
  • Curriculum Explore the Trendline➔
    Trendline

    Curriculum

    Educators are exploring a variety of strategies to improve students’ learning experiences while continuing to navigate ongoing political disputes.

    By K-12 Dive staff
  • A group of teachers listen to a speaker.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    How can leaders ensure professional development sticks?

    Opportunities to test things out in the classroom and receive feedback are more effective than disconnected or always-online approaches, researchers say.

    By Ed Finkel • Oct. 7, 2026
  • A man in a gray suit sits among children
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Hillsborough County School District on October 06, 2026
    Image attribution tooltip

    School district book bans rose further in 2025-26

    PEN America also said that over 4,500 new titles have been added to its book removal database, indicating an expansion of book restrictions.

    By • Oct. 7, 2026
  • A closeup view of a counselor's hands holding a clipboard while listening to a student who is holding a backpack in their lap.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Trump administration threatens federal funds over mental health screenings

    The departments of Justice and Education cited school districts' "patterns of noncompliance" with FERPA and PPRA in a letter to state attorneys general.

    By • Oct. 6, 2026
  • A smiling woman greets another person with a handshake at a professional conference. Other attendees are visible around her.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    The top K-12 conferences to attend in 2027

    For educators looking to gain best practices on leadership, classroom tech, curricula, policy and more, these events offer a variety of options.

    By , • Oct. 6, 2026
  • The outside of a building is seen with two flags on a pole flying in front of the building.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alex Wong via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Week In Review: A slew of new K-12 policies and guidance

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from teacher pay incentives to a federal demand to “defend the spend.”

    By • Oct. 5, 2026
  • A hand holding a pencil is shown writing out algebra equations.
    Image attribution tooltip
    bluestocking via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    When should students take algebra?

    Some 25% of students are prepared for the course in 8th grade, but a quarter of that subset still don’t take it, NWEA research says.

    By Ed Finkel • Sept. 30, 2026
  • A young boy sits at a desk writing on a paper tablet. A young girl sits at a desk next to him, doing the same.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Journaling can help students get to know each other, themselves

    Giving students time and autonomy to write about themselves can build their voice and their joy for storytelling, one educator says.

    By Ed Finkel • Sept. 30, 2026
  • A student is pictured sitting at a desk in a classroom with an open laptop. Other students are sitting in front and behind the student.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Ridofranz via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    SAT scores are up across the board for class of 2026

    All student demographic groups saw score increases, but participation overall was down compared to the previous year, according to the College Board.

    By • Sept. 30, 2026
  • Rows of empty chairs and desks sit in front of a blank chalkboard in a school classroom.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Week In Review: Are more closures and consolidations on the table?

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from schools’ facility woes to challenges facing meal programs.

    By • Sept. 28, 2026
  • Kids raising hand in classroom
    Image attribution tooltip

    RDNE Stock Project/ Pexels

    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by Sanford Harmony

    Relationships matter: A research-based approach to attendance and engagement

    The research is in: student relationships move attendance numbers.

    By Dr. Nick Yoder, PhD, Sanford Harmony • Sept. 28, 2026
  • A group of adolescents is pictured hiking a trail through a forest.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    How Chicago-area students are building soft skills on ‘expeditions’

    The nonprofit Chicago Voyagers is helping educators arrange nature outings that allow middle-schoolers to hone skills like collaboration and leadership.

    By Ed Finkel • Sept. 23, 2026
  • Two young girl students study a globe in an elementary school classroom.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Geography still matters in a GPS-filled world, educators say

    Being able to form mental maps is key to understanding spatial connections as well as global economic and political context, experts say.

    By Ed Finkel • Sept. 23, 2026
  • Teenage boys and girls listen to a teacher in a classroom. The teacher is holding a tablet.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Week In Review: Rising Leaders and falling turnover

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from changes to a federal data collection to discussions at a Reagan Institute summit.

    By • Sept. 21, 2026
  • A side view of an open laptop sitting on a table. Hands are on the keyboard. A cellphone sits next to the laptop
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    1 in 4 elementary school teachers say students use devices for main lessons

    Almost all elementary teachers say students use devices in the classroom, and two-thirds of teachers overall would support going paper-based instead.

    By • Sept. 21, 2026
  • A photo illustration of a circle encompassing a question mark, pencil, and scantron test.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

    Image attribution tooltip

    Test yourself on the past week’s K-12 news

    From academic gains to the latest development in a major K-12 lawsuit, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • Sept. 18, 2026
  • Front view of a teacher and a handful of students sitting on a brick wall outside a school building. They are all holding books.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    K-8 reading scores see ‘sizable’ post-COVID gains in latest NWEA data

    After years of stalled progress, researchers see promise for schools' pandemic recovery, the assessment and research group said.

    By • Sept. 17, 2026
  • A view from behind a teacher instructing in front of a class of high school students.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    San Francisco ethnic studies courses tied to academic, attendance gains

    Students who took ethnic studies saw a GPA increase of 0.17 points, with the largest gains being in math and science, researchers found.

    By Ed Finkel • Sept. 16, 2026
  • two students are low to the ground looking at vegetation. The student closest to the camera holds a magnifying glass, a notebook and pencil.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Wildlife biology centers can be valuable hands-on science resources

    One such center in South Carolina that houses birds of prey offers learning opportunities ranging from conservation to policy and governance.

    By Ed Finkel • Sept. 16, 2026
  • An illustration of a spiraled arm holding an apple with loose academic elements in the background.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Illustration: Ivan Haidutski for Industry Dive

    Image attribution tooltip
    Tracker

    Rising Leaders: 10 standout assistant principals and district leaders you should know in 2026-27

    These administrators are going the extra mile on school turnarounds, culture, student interventions and supports, and more.

    By , , • Sept. 16, 2026
  • A hand is holding a pencil that is shading in bubbles on a test sheet
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Week In Review: Putting PISA in perspective

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from research on pre-K discipline to AI’s growing presence in schools.

    By • Sept. 14, 2026
  • Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey and Frank O. Bowman III stand at a House Homeland Committee hearing
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kent Nishimura via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Appellate court clears way for Oklahoma divisive concepts law

    A divided three-judge panel ruled that it saw “no vagueness” in the concepts barred by the curriculum law, which plaintiffs argued was “overbroad.”

    By • Sept. 11, 2026
  • A photo illustration of a circle encompassing a question mark, pencil, and scantron test.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

    Image attribution tooltip
    POP QUIZ

    Test yourself on the past week’s K-12 news

    From U.S. standings in international rankings to a tech company’s agreement on AI use in schools, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • Sept. 11, 2026
  • A view of the skyline of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    How a Milwaukee private school tripled early grade reading proficiency

    Leaders at Greater Holy Temple Christian Academy credit a structured literacy model that dates back to the 1930s for the dramatic gains.

    By Ed Finkel • Sept. 9, 2026