Lessons In Leadership: How a Georgia principal prioritized students in school turnaround efforts

Marietta High School Principal Keith Ball says being a consistent presence in students' lives matters just as much as logistical overhauls he's overseen.

By Roger Riddell • Aug. 31, 2021

Biden administration pledges $85M to support student mental health

Research shows the rate of student depression, anxiety and stress in teenagers has risen since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Aug. 30, 2021

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

OCR opens discrimination investigation into Texas ban on school mask mandates

The latest investigation joins mask mandate ban inquiries in five other states over compliance with the Rehabilitation Act and Americans with Disabilities Act.

By Kara Arundel • Updated Sept. 21, 2021

Access to meals must be a priority in the return to school

An estimated one in six children across the nation could struggle with hunger as they re-enter the classroom.

By Jillien Meier • Aug. 30, 2021

What can schools do to curb disproportionality among Black male students in special education?

Black students are 40% more likely to be disproportionately represented among students with disabilities, but school leaders can take steps to break the trend.

By Roger Riddell • Aug. 27, 2021

Districts begin mandating COVID-19 vaccines for eligible students

The momentum for decisions to require student vaccination follows the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 27, 2021

Which teacher recruitment, retention strategies pay off amid COVID-19?

Officials in states such as Connecticut report seeing "a record-breaking interest" in the teaching profession despite pandemic strain.

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 26, 2021

Ed Dept: Districts shouldn't rely primarily on parents to identify students with disabilities

In a letter to state and local agencies, the department clarified child find and other responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 24, 2021

Rising Principals: School leaders driving mentorship, support, counseling and more

As principals' roles have expanded, so have those of assistant principals. These leaders exemplify the support and commitment driving school success.

By Roger Riddell , Kara Arundel , Naaz Modan • Aug. 24, 2021

Rising District Leaders: Assistant superintendents driving inclusion, curriculum and learning

In an era of increasingly distributed leadership, these assistant superintendents and cabinet-level leaders have proven critical to their districts' success.

By Roger Riddell , Naaz Modan , Kara Arundel • Aug. 24, 2021

Rising Leaders: K-12's standout assistant principals and district leaders

We're recognizing 21 trailblazing administrators providing support, asking the right questions and reinforcing the visions of their schools and central offices.

Aug. 24, 2021

Report: Pandemic's full impact on students with disabilities still unclear

District leaders can add to more nuanced data collection by documenting changes in inclusive practices and outcomes from ESSER and IDEA funding.

By Kara Arundel • Aug. 23, 2021

How schools are using ESSER funds to attract, retain teachers

Initiatives such as alternative licensure routes, expanded educator supports and Grow Your Own programs are included in state plans.

By Kara Arundel • Aug. 20, 2021

How a Maryland district is using a public-private partnership to build 6 schools in 3 years

Prince George's County Public Schools will be the first district to use a P3 to bundle design, financing, construction and maintenance of a group of schools.

By Kara Arundel • Aug. 19, 2021

Cardona: Mask mandate bans could be civil rights, discrimination issue

The education secretary also expressed support for superintendents defying such bans.

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 18, 2021

Burnout busters: 5 strategies to help school leaders combat pandemic fatigue

As COVID-19 persists amid other concerns, sharing leadership and maintaining self-care are among tips offered by principals and superintendents.

By Katie Navarra • Aug. 18, 2021

After feds intervene, Texas Education Agency says it won't enforce mask mandate ban

The Texas Supreme Court earlier this week backed Gov. Greg Abbott's ban following a letter to the state from Education Secretary Miguel Cardona.

By Naaz Modan • Updated Aug. 20, 2021

How are schools addressing COVID-19 quarantines for fall?

The pandemic is disrupting in-person learning for a third school year in a row, but this time, remote learning policies for quarantines aren't so clear.

By Kara Arundel • Aug. 16, 2021

For first time, OCR asks districts for civil rights data 2 years in a row

Analyzing the pandemic's impact on school experiences is necessary, but district leaders worry about their capacity to meet data collection requirements.

By Kara Arundel • Aug. 16, 2021

Superintendents navigate fiery mask debates amid employment threats

Despite mask bans and threats to jobs, some leaders are requiring masks. They're difficult decisions one expert compared to "snow days on steroids."

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 13, 2021

More students reporting poor mental health as barrier to learning, suggest SEL support is waning

A YouthTruth survey shows female and nonbinary students increasingly mentally distressed while Black students report feeling unsafe at school. 

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 12, 2021

Report: Kindergarten entry assessments key to knowing instructional needs

A Learning Policy Institute analysis suggests measuring kindergartners' school readiness is especially critical to inform instruction after COVID-19.

By Kara Arundel • Aug. 11, 2021

Threat assessments: Preventing school violence or creating student trauma?

The school safety approach is used to evaluate a student’s potential to cause school violence, but critics say the practice is discriminatory and harmful.

By Kara Arundel • Aug. 10, 2021

AASA, AVID launch professional development initiative focused on instructional leadership

The initiative will connect district instruction, assessment or technology leaders to share best practices and enhance each other's growth.

By Roger Riddell • Aug. 9, 2021

School leaders brace for mask bullying in fall

Administrators in mask-optional schools plan to focus on social-emotional learning and building a culture of respect to navigate the polarizing issue.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Aug. 9, 2021