Leadership


  • A student wearing a brace on their chest is seated at a desk in a classroom. An adult is standing nearby holding a pencil to a notebook on the desk.
    Image attribution tooltip
    FG Trade via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    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
  • A young student and an adult sit on the floor in a classroom working with colorful blocks
    Image attribution tooltip
    FatCamera via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Explore the Trendline
    Image attribution tooltip
    Michael Loccisano via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Trendline

    Equity in Education

    From early learning to high school, the pandemic impacted equity at all levels of K-12, from persistent and widening achievement gaps to uneven access to school meals.

    By K-12 Dive staff
  • President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress on March 4, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • 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 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
  • Three people are standing in a room. The person in the middle is holding a microphone
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kara Arundel/K-12 Dive
    Image attribution tooltip
    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
  • An adult is sitting at a table and holding a book. Two young students are also seated at the desk and are looking at the book and holding pencils.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by DCPS
    Image attribution tooltip
    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
  • Group of elementary school children having class in the outdoor classroom and looking at the globe.
    Image attribution tooltip
    NadyaPhoto via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Roger Riddell/K-12 Dive
    Image attribution tooltip
    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"
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kara Arundel/K-12 Dive
    Image attribution tooltip
    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.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by AASA Conference Daily Online
    Image attribution tooltip
    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.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kara Arundel/K-12 Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Protestors stand in front of the Capitol holding protest signs
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of National Education Association
    Image attribution tooltip

    Trump’s Education Department changes could lead to systemic ‘chaos’

    Cuts to contracts, staff and civil rights probes might backfire, leading to less oversight and more mismanagement, education experts warn.

    By March 10, 2025
  • Three professional women stand around a table in front of a convention hall, speaking to attendees.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Roger Riddell/K-12 Dive
    Image attribution tooltip
    AASA '25

    Misinformation is flooding school communities. Here are 3 strategies to combat it.

    Consistency, simplicity and thorough planning are essential to help stakeholders cut through the noise, panelists at AASA’s annual conference said.

    By March 7, 2025
  • A young child gets a shot from a medical professional while another adult holds the child in their lap.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Jan Sonnenmair via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Rise in measles has schools on alert

    Researchers point to vaccine skepticism as one explanation for an increase in measles cases.

    By March 5, 2025
  • Three people sit at a table.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    McMahon confirmed as education secretary

    Linda McMahon says she will end federal bureaucracy at the U.S. Department of Education but did not commit to closing the agency.

    By March 3, 2025
  • A businesswoman, teacher or mentor coach in glasses speaks to young people in a meeting or training seminar.
    Image attribution tooltip
    fizkes via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Women still lead just 30% of nation’s largest school districts

    Gender bias is impacting the health, career pathways and compensation of women in K-12 leadership, a Women Leading Ed survey finds.

    By Briana Mendez-Padilla • March 3, 2025
  • As young students interact in the background, a woman teacher reviews her lesson plans for the day.
    Image attribution tooltip
    SDI Productions via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    What can school leaders do to ensure ‘floating teachers’ feel supported?

    Strong communication and scheduling are key to avoid organizational challenges and stress that can arise when teachers share class space.

    By Briana Mendez-Padilla • Feb. 26, 2025
  • A person is photographed from the front and below. Only the person's head, neck and shoulders can be seen. They are in a room with wood paneling. Others are seated behind the person.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Win McNamee via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    McMahon confirmation as education secretary advances to full Senate

    Democrats opposing the nomination voiced concerns about calls for the closure of the U.S. Department of Education.

    By Feb. 20, 2025
  • A person is seated as a desk. They are waving their left hand. A name plate sits in front of them and people are seated in row in the background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Win McNamee via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    3 takeaways from Linda McMahon’s confirmation hearing

    Trump's nominee to lead the Education Department faced questions about the agency’s future, Title IX enforcement and antisemitism on college campuses.

    By Feb. 13, 2025
  • A handful of students are sitting at individual desks in a classroom. ALl the students have pencils in their hands and are writing in notebooks.
    Image attribution tooltip
    FatCamera via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    What does NAEP show for special education students?

    Average scores for students with disabilities held steady or declined, though data shows some progress at the state and local level.

    By Feb. 13, 2025
  • A smiling student daydreaming in class with graduation-themed doodles.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Getty Images Signature / SDI Productions

    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by Defined

    Impacts of empowering middle school students through career exploration and experiences

    Explore how career-connected deeper learning prepares middle school students for future success.

    Feb. 10, 2025
  • A group of people are standing outside in front of the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C. They are standing behind a podium where one person is speaking.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kara Arundel/K-12 Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Education Department’s doors blocked to House Democrats

    The lawmakers wanted to meet with a senior official over concerns about the Trump administration's efforts to shrink the department's responsibilities.

    By Feb. 7, 2025
  • A person standing in a classroom has their back to the camera. Looking toward the person are students seated in desks.
    Image attribution tooltip
    monkeybusinessimages via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    The K-12 outlook for 2025: Shifting policy, tech landscapes bring new challenges

    We’ve gathered our trends to watch over the coming year in one place to help you stay ahead of the game.

    By Jan. 31, 2025
  • A young student walks outside on a walkway, wearing a pink coat and pink backpack. Tall seagrass is along the walkway.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    How are schools responding to immigration policy shifts?

    Student attendance and the legal rights of schools and families are among concerns after schools lose "protected areas" status.

    By Jan. 31, 2025
  • President Donald Trump's top portion of his face can be seen behind an open folder he is holding. His is in the Oval Office and seated as a desk.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Federal judge puts temporary freeze on Trump’s funding pause

    While Title I, IDEA and Head Start funding seem unaffected by the OMB directive, policy experts and educators are seeking more guidance about the actual impact.

    By Updated Jan. 28, 2025