Leadership

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    How a California district embraces student-centered counseling

    A low-income district east of San Jose has become a “bright spot” for tackling absenteeism with an approach focused on data and student interactions.

    By Ed Finkel • Jan. 22, 2026
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Trump 2.0: A sea change for K-12

    From Education Department downsizing to a variety of legal battles, take a month-by-month look at how the federal approach to K-12 has shifted.

    By , , , • Jan. 20, 2026
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    Trendline

    Infrastructure & School Operations

    With a new presidential administration and potential funding changes on the way, schools face an array of challenges in day-to-day operations. 

    By K-12 Dive staff
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    Week In Review: School shootings drop and SCOTUS hears trans athletics cases

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from a slew of new Title IX probes to debates over tech in schools.

    By • Jan. 20, 2026
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    Retrieved from Houston Independent School District.
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    Houston ISD families report positive outlook following takeover

    Data shows particularly positive perceptions toward learning progress and district improvement among families at targeted improvement schools.

    By • Jan. 20, 2026
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    Stock.adobe.com/Monkey Business

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    Sponsored by Energy Systems Group (ESG)

    What 250 school leaders say about the state of K-12 facilities

    A new survey dives into school leaders’ biggest facility concerns and urgent renovation needs.

    Jan. 20, 2026
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    Opinion

    How can we create the conditions to inspire young leaders to say ‘yes’ to teaching careers?

    Innovative staffing models may be part of the solution, writes the executive director of Teach For America Bay Area in California.

    By Beatrice Viramontes • Jan. 15, 2026
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    Week In Review: From Head Start to Texas teachers, K-12 hits the courtroom

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, including ESEA waivers and key trends to watch in 2026.

    By • Jan. 12, 2026
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    FatCamera via Getty Images
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    BY THE NUMBERS

    Education Department data shows slight dip in public school enrollment

    While the numbers of public school students and schools are marginally down, the number of public charter school students is on the rise.

    By • Jan. 9, 2026
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    Deep Dive

    6 trends to watch for K-12 in 2026

    Enrollment concerns, growing school choice competition, data privacy and new federal policy priorities are among a slew of challenges facing public schools.

    By , , • Jan. 8, 2026
  • Elizabeth Mirabelli and Lori Ann West
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    Retrieved from Thomas More Society on January 06, 2026
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    Should schools reveal students’ LGBTQ+ identity to parents? Teachers to ask the Supreme Court to decide

    A legal battle in California could determine whether parental notification of student pronoun and name changes is constitutional.

    By • Jan. 7, 2026
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    LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    5 lessons learned from top school administrators in 2025

    We’re highlighting key insights on ed tech adoption, remediation services, community engagement and more from this year’s conversations.

    By • Jan. 2, 2026
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    Week In Review: K-12 Dive Awards and AI’s march in curriculum

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from a report on teens’ pronoun usage to milk in school lunches.

    By • Dec. 22, 2025
  • Top Oklahoma education official Ryan Walters speaks at a podium with his hand raised
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    Retrieved from Superintendent Ryan Walters.
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    Oklahoma Supreme Court strikes down controversial social studies standards

    The standards were already on pause, but the court ruled this week that the state board of education violated the law in creating and adopting them. 

    By • Dec. 19, 2025
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Fewer than half of transgender, nonbinary youth report others use their pronouns

    Data released by The Trevor Project shows a lower suicide risk for students whose pronouns were used. In some states, policies make it a challenge.

    By • Dec. 18, 2025
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    Dive Awards

    The K-12 Dive Awards for 2025

    Whether they’re driving postsecondary pathways, district marketing strategies or school turnarounds, these leaders are raising the bar for K-12.

    By , • Dec. 16, 2025
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    Permission granted by Iowa City Community School District
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    Dive Awards

    Superintendent of the Year: Matt Degner, Iowa City Community School District

    This district leader focuses on making academic programs unique as he strives to set his school system apart at a time of growing competition for students.

    By • Dec. 16, 2025
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    Permission granted by Pierre Orbe
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    Dive Awards

    Principal of the Year: Pierre Orbe, DeWitt Clinton High School

    One educator’s unplanned detour from medical school into education led to a turnaround for one of New York City’s most storied high schools.

    By • Dec. 16, 2025
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    Permission granted by Beaverton School District
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    Dive Awards

    District of the Year: Beaverton School District

    The Oregon district has taken career and technical education, dual language programming and cost-saving school transportation to new heights.

    By • Dec. 16, 2025
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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    DOJ targets teacher diversity efforts in lawsuit against Minnesota schools

    The lawsuit challenges the district’s agreement with its teachers union, which includes diversity efforts such as recruiting and retaining Black men.

    By • Dec. 15, 2025
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    School violence: An educator’s painful and promising 50-year perspective

    Though there’s no quick fix for school violence, educators can work to prevent it by keeping in mind “5 B’s,” a crisis intervention expert writes.

    By Stephen Sroka • Dec. 11, 2025
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    Week in Review: Superintendents’ job satisfaction and the status of education degrees

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from a major ed tech data security settlement to the latest on a federal school voucher program.

    By • Dec. 8, 2025
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    Some districts reverse school closures despite declining enrollment

    While closures can be “deeply painful,” keeping schools open can mean fewer student resources or even a state takeover, an education professor said.

    By • Dec. 5, 2025
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    John Moore via Getty Images
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    Most superintendents satisfied with job, despite the stress and demands

    Nearly 6 in 10 plan to stay in the superintendency over the next five years, an increase from 2010, according to AASA's mid-decade survey of district leaders.

    By • Dec. 4, 2025
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    Alex Wong via Getty Images
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    Districts report enrollment drops amid heightened immigration enforcement

    A larger-than-expected dip in Los Angeles reflects "the realities our immigrant families are facing," Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said.

    By • Dec. 4, 2025
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    Retrieved from U.S. Department of Education/Flickr on December 01, 2025
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    McMahon marks IDEA’s 50th anniversary with Virginia school visit

    The government won’t take "its foot off of the gas pedal" on IDEA compliance or monitoring, says Kimberly Richey, acting assistant secretary of OSERS.

    By • Dec. 1, 2025