On heels of Bloomberg commitment, Black and brown-led charter schools are key

The head of a national charter organization argues public charters are the fastest, best route to improve education for students and communities of color.

By Naomi Shelton • Jan. 28, 2022

Shifting trends could influence funding impacted by student counts

Expanded virtual learning options and free meal access should spark consideration of how enrollment and attendance impact budgets, report says.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 26, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

Infrastructure & School Operations

With a new presidential administration and potential funding changes on the way, schools face an array of challenges in day-to-day operations. 

By K-12 Dive staff

District equity plans may become merely symbolic without further action

Adopting a common language and shared beliefs around equity is essential to making plans actionable, as is having teachers examine their own biases.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Jan. 25, 2022

Collaboration key to stemming school staff shortages

At a Council for Exceptional Children conference, advocates promoted examples of staffing solutions and recommended partnerships to fill voids.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 24, 2022

Rural schools strained by COVID protocol resistance, challenges

“I've had nurses get yelled at, get hung up on and get cussed at,” said one district head nurse who expects the pushback will result in nurses quitting.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 21, 2022

Trust, cultural responsiveness key to strengthen school-parent relationships

As in-person learning and pre-pandemic routines rebound, families and educators are seeking to maintain new connections and repair any fractures.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 20, 2022

How de-escalation strategies can reduce disruptive classroom behaviors

Using specific approaches matched to the phases of a classroom behavior crisis cycle can help schools prevent or respond to intense situations.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 19, 2022

States look to ease funding declines spurred by low student attendance

How states count students and when those counts take place can have big impacts on state-to-district allocations.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 18, 2022

5 principals to watch in 2022

These school leaders are rising to the occasion on inclusive and equitable education, strong and consistent communication, school culture and more.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 18, 2022

Schools expand credit recovery to keep students on track for graduation

Personalizing and growing credit recovery options are among popular nontraditional approaches districts have supported with relief funding.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 12, 2022

Black and male teachers score lower on observations despite similar qualifications

Research from Vanderbilt University found racial gaps in observation scores were larger in schools where Black teachers were racially isolated.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Jan. 11, 2022

Districts get creative to maintain special ed services as COVID drags on

As districts clear backlog of evaluations and IEP reviews, ensuring services and support remains challenging amid new bumps in the road.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 11, 2022

5 superintendents to watch in 2022

These administrators' track records and outlooks toward top issues facing K-12 and the challenges ahead make them key players to keep an eye on.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 10, 2022

Amid omicron surge, policies restrict districts' remote learning options

Bus driver shortages and teacher absences are making it difficult to maintain in-person instruction, and virtual is no longer an option in some locations.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 7, 2022

Decade of data highlights SEL best practices from 20 districts

Collaborating Districts Initiative participants found ways to expand and sustain SEL amid leadership and budget changes — and improve student outcomes.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 7, 2022

Omicron, staff shortages interrupt in-person school

Several large school systems are pivoting to remote learning as they balance health concerns with keeping students on track academically.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 5, 2022

With all 50 states' ARP plans approved, Ed Dept to release remaining $41B

District leaders hesitate to spend the funds on long-term programs despite three pots of ESSER relief and prompts from Ed Secretary Miguel Cardona. 

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 5, 2022

8 K-12 trends to watch in 2022

Fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing policy pingpong, curricular controversy and more are set to impact schools this year.

By Roger Riddell , Kara Arundel , Naaz Modan , Anna Merod • Jan. 4, 2022

Lessons In Leadership: 6 key takeaways from a year of school leader conversations

In case you missed any of this year's installments, we've highlighted some of the best insights on teacher retention, student engagement and more.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 3, 2022

How can school leaders improve instructional observation?

Strategies like co-teaching or observing lessons an educator is particularly proud of can provide a better window into classrooms for effective feedback.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Dec. 22, 2021

Schools encouraged to help students have positive social media experiences

Focus is growing on digital citizenship following social media-influenced threats of violence and acts of school destruction.

By Kara Arundel • Dec. 22, 2021

Teacher pay gains national attention after years of educator shortages

Some advocates suggest comprehensive teacher supply and demand data can help districts inform localized recruitment and retention strategies.

By Naaz Modan , Kara Arundel • Dec. 21, 2021

5 ways educators infuse joy into learning

Providing fun, engaging activities and welcoming settings for instruction can boost happiness in classrooms — and learning.

By Kara Arundel • Dec. 20, 2021

The issue of school redesign: 'If not now, when?'

The growing burdens facing schools demand a rethinking of how school is designed from the ground up.

By Daniel A. Domenech and Jeff Wetzler • Dec. 17, 2021

New Hampshire lawsuit challenges law on 'divisive concepts' in classrooms

The parent and teacher suit over the ban's constitutionality is the latest to push back against laws drafted by states in response to 'critical race theory.'

By Naaz Modan • Dec. 16, 2021