Budget shortfalls, declining enrollment top district leaders’ concerns

Districts are looking to marketing campaigns and expanded pre-K services to bring in more students, according to a new Rand Corp. survey.

By Anna Merod • July 21, 2026

Principals share solutions for ed tech pushback, chronic absenteeism and more

During the National School Leaders Conference in Florida, educators explored how their peers are innovating and navigating pressing K-12 issues.

By Anna Merod • July 21, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Teacher and Staff Challenges

Federal policy changes are further complicating K-12 workforce challenges exacerbated by the pandemic, adding to debate over what’s needed to keep teachers and staff in the profession or bring them back.

By K-12 Dive staff

Week In Review: Education Department targets predators in schools

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from a principal’s conference in Florida to pushback on an Education Department interagency agreement.

By Roger Riddell • July 20, 2026

How a Michigan principal guided 2 school staffs through a merger

A principal told National School Leaders Conference attendees how she brought together teams from different buildings when they didn’t initially click.

By Anna Merod • July 17, 2026

3 ways Miguel Cardona suggests school leaders should innovate

The former U.S. education secretary shared lessons learned from his career, including the value of collaboration, during the National School Leaders Conference.

By Anna Merod • July 16, 2026

Ed tech pushback risks shortchanging students, these school leaders say

K-12 administrators share how they’re navigating responsible technology use in schools when communities want less of it.

By Anna Merod • July 15, 2026

How to use attendance incentives to combat chronic absenteeism

A positive behavioral interventions and supports model boosted attendance for one Rhode Island school significantly, an assistant principal says.

By Anna Merod • July 15, 2026

Week In Review: Chronic absenteeism continues to vex school systems

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from students with disabilities in general classrooms to state AI laws.

By Roger Riddell • July 13, 2026

Governors call on states to support locally driven K-12 solutions

Collaborations between states and districts can help improve student outcomes, the governors of Maryland and Wyoming say.

By Kara Arundel • July 9, 2026

Here’s what you need to know about key topics shaping K-12

We’ve gathered past installments of our explainer series in one place to help you stay on top of the must-know information on key topics.

By Roger Riddell • July 8, 2026

Week In Review: A landmark Supreme Court ruling and a major testing company acquisition

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from “misconceptions” at the Education Department to Texas’ curriculum change.

By Roger Riddell • July 6, 2026

K-12 schools can soften energy-cost hikes with performance contracts, Ameresco chief says

The contracts offer a way for school districts to lock in costs as electricity prices rise, says Louis Maltezos, co-president of the energy infrastructure company.

By Joe Burns • June 25, 2026

This North Carolina district is guaranteeing a career-connected learning experience

In Guilford County, Superintendent Whitney Oakley is working with higher ed, local industry and nonprofits to bolster students’ opportunities.

By Roger Riddell • June 24, 2026

Week In Review: New Ed Dept interagency agreements and a district’s library overhaul

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from a rejected Supreme Court case to teacher workforce updates.

By Roger Riddell • June 22, 2026

Takeaways from the Ed Dept-HHS special ed agreement

Critics worry it will lead to a medical approach, while supporters say the collaboration will improve outcomes.

By Kara Arundel • June 18, 2026

School culture wars come to Capitol Hill

Lawmakers questioned district leaders from Chicago, San Francisco and Virginia's Loudoun County about student pronouns, gender transition and other policies.

By Kara Arundel • June 10, 2026

DC Public Schools leads nation in academic recovery. Here’s why.

A focus on strategic planning and programming drove impressive gains in the nation’s capital, writes outgoing chancellor Lewis Ferebee.

By Lewis Ferebee • June 10, 2026

Week In Review: Private school trends and the state of attendance

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from the FCC’s E-rate review to another Education Department lawsuit.

By Roger Riddell • June 8, 2026

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

From a Federal Communications Commission announcement to a Philadelphia Phillies high school program, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Roger Riddell • June 5, 2026

How should school leaders react to controversial student journalism?

Censoring an inconvenient story teaches the wrong lesson, may amplify the issue, and could result in legal liability for the district, experts say.

By Ed Finkel • June 2, 2026

Week In Review: Federal policies and classroom tech face pushback

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from special education data collections to Pittsburgh’s school closures.

By Roger Riddell • June 1, 2026

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

From unspent federal funds to an American Federation of Teachers proposal, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Roger Riddell • May 29, 2026

Week In Review: The latest large district to weigh school closures

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from the U.S. Department of Education’s funding priorities to a warning on harmful screen use.

By Roger Riddell • May 26, 2026

Louisiana 2nd state approved for ESEA funding waiver

While the state wants to direct cost savings to priority areas, some have concerns about the waivers’ impacts on vulnerable student populations.

By Kara Arundel • May 20, 2026

How Maryland School for the Blind helps public schools close gaps

The Baltimore-based school’s programs and services stretch beyond its residential and day programs to reach students statewide.

By Roger Riddell • May 20, 2026