Leadership

  • Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy is pictured standing at a podium.
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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    Governors tout career and technical education in 2025 State of States

    An analysis of their talks finds funding, teacher recruitment and retention, and student achievement to be other common threads.

    By Briana Mendez-Padilla • April 17, 2025
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Bills in Congress detail path to closing the Education Department

    More attention in Congress is being directed toward the federal agency’s future as Trump calls for its closure.

    By • April 14, 2025
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    Trendline

    Learning Loss

    Our latest K-12 Dive Trendline takes a closer look at how educators are addressing learning loss, as well as achievement trends and developments. 

    By K-12 Dive staff
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    Jon Cherry via Getty Images
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    States sue to recover ESSER extended spending allowances

    Tutoring, after-school programming and facility improvements have already been canceled, and layoffs are likely due to the lost funding, says the lawsuit.

    By • April 11, 2025
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    Retrieved from National Park Service.
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    Title I at 60: The debate continues

    Some want to change the formula-based program, a cornerstone of Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty, into a block grant.

    By • April 11, 2025
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    States, lawmakers push back on ‘abrupt and chaotic’ reversal of COVID funds

    The Education Department ended ESSER late liquidation, months after many states had received preapproval from the Biden administration.

    By • April 10, 2025
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    House committee advances ‘gender ideology’ bills

    Proposals seek to end what Republicans say is gender indoctrination in schools. Democrats say the bills are harmful to transgender students.

    By • April 9, 2025
  • Linda McMahon arrives to the U.S. Department of Education's building in Washington, D.C., for her first day in office.
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    US Department of Education. (2025). "03042025 SLM First day in the Office-3" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    ‘Let’s shake it up’: McMahon defends massive cuts at Education Department

    The U.S. secretary of education spoke at the ASU+GSV Summit in California about the rapid changes the Trump administration is making to the agency.

    By Natalie Schwartz • April 8, 2025
  • President Donald Trump stands next to Linda McMahon while holding the executive order in the White House.
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Trump changes put school districts at financial risk, Moody’s says

    States are unlikely to fill gaps left by the federal government cuts, leaving districts with a "limited menu of options,” per the sector forecast.

    By • April 8, 2025
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    sshepard via Getty Images
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    Do superintendents seem younger? It’s not your imagination.

    A recent AASA survey also finds that superintendent pay continues to lag behind inflation rates, increasing just 2% year over year.

    By • April 7, 2025
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    mapo via Getty Images
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    Tell us about your school district’s rising leaders

    We want to hear about the leaders driving innovation in your schools for our fifth annual spotlight on assistant principals and district administrators.

    By • April 7, 2025
  • An adult is sitting on a floor with two toddlers who are sitting on the floor. The adult is guiding one of the child's hands while the other child plays with blocks on the floor.
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    FatCamera via Getty Images
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    Head Start imperiled by HHS cutbacks, advocates say

    The agency's overhaul has sparked concerns about access, affordability and safety for the program serving preschoolers from low-income families.

    By • April 4, 2025
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

    From rescinded funds to one state’s curriculum controversy, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • April 4, 2025
  • An adult wearing a mask is standing in a school hallway looking down at several children who are also wearing masks,
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    Permission granted by Spring Branch ISD
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    Deep Dive

    5 years later: COVID’s impact lingers in school culture

    School leaders and education experts look back at how the pandemic shaped chronic absenteeism, ed tech use, student performance and parent trust.

    By , • March 27, 2025
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    Kara Arundel/K-12 Dive
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    CEC 2025: What we learned at the gathering of special education professionals

    Key takeaways from the Baltimore convention included strategies for breaking down silos and curbing restraint and seclusion practices.

    By • March 26, 2025
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    FG Trade via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    How will Education Department cuts impact special education?

    Opponents predict lapses in civil rights protections and IDEA accountability, but supporters are embracing the promise of local flexibility.

    By • March 25, 2025
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    FatCamera via Getty Images
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    District leaders predict staff reductions if Medicaid funding is cut

    Medicaid funding in schools most commonly go toward salaries for staff and expenses for contracted health services, a survey reveals.

    By • March 24, 2025
  • President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress on March 4, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    10 Trump changes education leaders need to know about

    Here’s a recap of Trump actions so far that affect K-12 professionals nationwide.

    By K-12 Dive staff • March 21, 2025
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    POP QUIZ

    Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

    From three Democrat leaders’ letter to the Education Department to new research on districts’ summer learning plans, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • March 21, 2025
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    Kara Arundel/K-12 Dive
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    CEC 2025

    Special education leaders share advice for aspiring administrators

    Staying connected to students and prioritizing self-care are valued approaches to leadership, say former and current special education administrators.

    By • March 20, 2025
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    Permission granted by DCPS
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    Opinion

    For the DCPS Reading Clinic, every month is National Reading Month

    The DC Reading Clinic has already provided quality structured literacy to over 500 teachers and more trainings are planned, writes Chancellor Lewis Ferebee.

    By Lewis Ferebee • March 20, 2025
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    NadyaPhoto via Getty Images
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    More than 8 in 10 districts to keep or expand summer learning

    Nearly 75% of superintendents say honing academic skills is the most important benefit of summer programming, according to a Gallup poll.

    By • March 18, 2025
  • Three school superintendents of color are seated at a table during a conference session.
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    Roger Riddell/K-12 Dive
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    AASA '25

    How challenges, experiences shape superintendents of color

    Identity, allies and community engagement all play key roles in success and longevity for these education leaders.

    By • March 14, 2025
  • A person is on a stage. Behind them is a neon sign reading "CEC"
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    Kara Arundel/K-12 Dive
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    CEC 2025

    3 ways to break down silos between general and special education

    Authentic collaborations in schools can give educators confidence and improve student outcomes, says an instructional coach.

    By • March 14, 2025
  • AASA Executive Director David Schuler speaks on a convention hall stage during a keynote session.
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    Permission granted by AASA Conference Daily Online
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    Q&A // AASA '25

    AASA chief: Assessments need to reflect the world students live in now

    David Schuler shares his perspective on testing, misinformation and other challenges vexing school superintendents.

    By • March 12, 2025
  • Several people are seated in chairs on a dias in a meeting room with wood paneling.
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    Kara Arundel/K-12 Dive
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    Republican lawmakers tout proposal for national private school choice

    Supporters say students need options beyond "failing schools," but opponents say improving public schools should be the priority.

    By • March 11, 2025