Principal of the Year: Jessica Cabeen, Ellis Middle School

With unwavering positivity and “unconventional” leadership, a Minnesota principal sets out to help middle schoolers grow academically, socially and emotionally.

By Roger Riddell • Nov. 22, 2021

District of the Year: Richland School District Two

A South Carolina district focuses on innovation and school improvement initiatives to create equity and opportunity for all students.

By Roger Riddell • Nov. 22, 2021

Explore the 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

The K-12 Dive Awards for 2021

With community engagement, steadfast leadership and focus on students' social-emotional needs, these are the leaders shaping K-12 today.

Nov. 22, 2021

Promising Practices: Rural Texas districts collaborate to expand CTE

Three neighboring districts with small student populations found cost savings in collaborating on course offerings.

By Kara Arundel • Nov. 19, 2021

Center for Learner Equity advises closer look at charter special ed enrollment gaps

Unexplained gaps may mean students with disabilities have limited access to charter school programming.

By Kara Arundel • Nov. 19, 2021

Teaching assistants prove valuable for academic gains in early readers

An Alabama elementary school's use of trained Title I aides resulted in some of the highest reading scores among the state's mid- to high-poverty districts.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Nov. 18, 2021

California district personalizes special education to address learning loss

The San Bernardino City Unified School District uses detailed student progress data to help students with disabilities reach individualized goals.

By Kara Arundel • Nov. 17, 2021

Build self-care skills into teacher prep programs to raise retention

A pair of teacher educators propose a new set of "3 Rs" to encourage new teachers to care for themselves, too.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Nov. 16, 2021

Lessons learned: How early education programs stepped up during COVID-19

NAEYC panelists said they relied on professional and operational standards even while changing practices in response to challenges.

By Kara Arundel • Nov. 11, 2021

Relationships, resources must become a focus in learning to address mental health crisis

With the American Academy of Pediatrics declaring a national mental health emergency, is it time to consider expanding the "3 Rs" of education?

By Joan Wasser Gish • Nov. 10, 2021

Diversify the counselor pool to raise Black student success

Advocates contend having more Black counselors would ensure Black students' needs are addressed, helping to curb achievement and discipline gaps.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Nov. 10, 2021

Incentives, morale boosters crucial to curb K-12 teacher, other workforce shortages

A Massachusetts administrator suggests loan forgiveness and building prep and grading time into teachers' schedules as possible steps to take.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Nov. 8, 2021

A call for civility in K-12 education

The heads of the nation's school principal associations write educators must advocate for a collective recommitment to civility in schools and communities.

By Ronn Nozoe and Earl Franks • Nov. 5, 2021

Gifted education's future requires more diversity, inclusion and access

Commitments to more equitable gifted programs are changing mindsets, identification practices and services, but teacher training remains challenging.

By Kara Arundel • Nov. 4, 2021

For ed leaders, school-family relationships key to pandemic recovery

Despite financial pressures and challenges in redesigning student services, panelists in a Tuesday webinar expressed optimism about education's future.

By Kara Arundel • Nov. 3, 2021

Report: Testing requirements for lead in school drinking water remain hit-or-miss nationwide

Revisions to the Environmental Protection Agency's Lead and Copper Rule are expected to set federal requirements around testing.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Nov. 3, 2021

Even virtually, students in one program continue solving global challenges

The pandemic forced Global Brigades' student volunteers to work virtually to support community projects, but the move ultimately expanded access.

By Kara Arundel • Nov. 2, 2021

K-12 funding needs more state, federal support to maximize equity, impact

Reports detail how pre-pandemic funding and spending practices can inform COVID-19 recovery strategy as fiscal cliffs loom for districts.

By Kara Arundel , Naaz Modan • Oct. 28, 2021

School leaders: Proactive approach key to addressing 'devious licks,' other social media challenges

Administrators recommend turning to restorative practices and student involvement to address harmful online trends.

By Anna Merod • Oct. 27, 2021

What are schools doing to prepare for a childhood COVID-19 vaccine rollout?

Parental permission processes for on-campus shots may be the biggest difference in inoculating students ages 5-11 vs. older students.

By Kara Arundel • Oct. 27, 2021

Don't let education windfall be a flash in the pan

A former South Dakota education secretary details the need for data collection and monitoring for schools' pandemic responses and future challenges.

By Melody Schopp • Oct. 26, 2021

Quarantine absence policies threaten state funding for California schools

Conflicting quarantine attendance rules in the state come against a backdrop of a lack of guidance from other states. 

By Naaz Modan • Oct. 22, 2021

Mentors help students with learning disabilities gain confidence, become self-advocates

Eye to Eye’s college mentors also have learning differences and understand the difficulty of students learning how to speak up for their needs.

By Kara Arundel • Oct. 22, 2021

Anti-racism and equity in schools is empirical, not ideological

It is school leaders' responsibility to ask what the "balanced perspective" is when it comes to racial equity, two district communications specialists write.

By April Callen and Jenni Kotting • Oct. 21, 2021

Report: Schools' role in promoting civic engagement growing more important

Committing to teaching about democracy can include opportunities for respectful, productive conversations on controversial topics, the authors write.

By Kara Arundel • Oct. 21, 2021