Leadership

  • A person stands at a podium. A sign on the podium reads OSEP conference 2026
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    Education Department defends controversial special education shakeup

    The changes are the “start of a brighter future” for individuals with disabilities, Education Secretary Linda McMahon told OSEP conference attendees.

    By • Aug. 4, 2026
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    Opinion

    A way forward beyond America’s education stalemate

    More consideration should be given to what changes will actually help students succeed if a school struggles for years, a charter school leader writes.

    By Zach Craddock • Aug. 4, 2026
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    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from K-12 Dive

    K-12 Dive has gathered some a selection of our best coverage as a one-stop resource on the trends to watch in the months ahead.

    By K-12 Dive staff
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    Week In Review: Where enrollment is and isn’t in decline

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from the impact of school closures on teacher turnover to districts’ social media lawsuits.

    By • Aug. 3, 2026
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    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    This New York superintendent is embracing a human-first approach to AI in schools

    As a “dot-commer” who transitioned to education, Jared Bloom brings a unique perspective to K-12 tech adoption.

    By • July 30, 2026
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    Kara Arundel/K-12 Dive
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    Week In Review: Former federal officials caution against Education Department transfers

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from absenteeism recovery data to a slew of new legislative proposals.

    By • July 27, 2026
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    POP QUIZ

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

    From post-COVID academic recovery research to district leaders’ top concerns, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • July 24, 2026
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    Anna Merod/K-12 Dive
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    NAESP '26

    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 • July 21, 2026
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    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 • July 21, 2026
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    Permission granted by House Education and Workforce Committee
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    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 • July 20, 2026
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    (2025). [Facebook]. Retrieved from Grosse Ile Township Schools.
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    NAESP '26

    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 • July 17, 2026
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    Anna Merod/K-12 Dive
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    NAESP '26

    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 • July 16, 2026
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    Anna Merod/K-12 Dive
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    NAESP '26

    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 • July 15, 2026
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    Anna Merod/K-12 Dive
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    NAESP '26

    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 • July 15, 2026
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    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 • July 13, 2026
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    Permission granted by Patrick Siren/WhyNotMedia
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    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 • July 9, 2026
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    STUDY HALL

    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 • July 8, 2026
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    Fintan Trimble via Getty Images
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    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 • July 6, 2026
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    Courtesy of Ameresco
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    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
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    Permission granted by Guilford County Schools
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    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    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 • June 24, 2026
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    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 • June 22, 2026
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    Retrieved from U.S. Department of Education/Flickr.
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    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 • June 18, 2026
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    Retrieved from House Education and Workforce Committee Democrats on June 10, 2026
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    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 • June 10, 2026
  • DC Public Schools Chancellor Lewis Ferebee is pictured at a desk between three students during a middle school math competition.
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    Permission granted by District of Columbia Public Schools
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    Opinion

    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
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    Valerii Apetroaiei via Getty Images
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    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 • June 8, 2026
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    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 • June 5, 2026