How much influence do principals say they have? A lot

Traditional public school principals reported a higher level of perceived influence over evaluating teachers than their private and charter school peers.

By Kara Arundel • Aug. 4, 2021

Promising Practices: SuitUp competitions let students dive into hands-on corporate experiences

Partnerships between the schools and the nonprofit connect learners to real-life business challenges and coaching from entrepreneurs and executives.

By Kara Arundel • Aug. 3, 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

School culture built around belonging crucial for re-engaging students

With many students returning to full-time, in-person learning for the first time in 18 months, a culture of inclusion can help curb anxiety and boost achievement.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Aug. 2, 2021

Prospect of COVID-19 vaccine mandates adds tension in districts

New York City Public Schools was among the nation's first school systems to require teachers get vaccinated or face routine testing. Others may follow suit.

By Naaz Modan • July 30, 2021

How will schools take advantage of $7B FCC fund to address the homework gap?

The Emergency Connectivity Fund, which provides money for devices and connectivity for off-campus learning, has an Aug. 13 application deadline.

By Kara Arundel • July 30, 2021

Ensuring federal K-12 aid is more than a stopgap relief effort

The head of the National Association of Energy Service Companies urges the use of relief funds to modernize infrastructure for efficiency.

By Timothy Unruh • July 29, 2021

Reports: Math, reading progress slowed during first full school year of pandemic

Three separate assessment analyses show younger students, students of color and low-income students had lower rates of academic gains.

By Kara Arundel and Naaz Modan • July 28, 2021

Promising Practices: High schools, communities set visions for reforms

A grant program helped support initiatives like "Portraits of a Graduate," setting priorities for skills necessary for college and career success.

By Kara Arundel • July 27, 2021

As COVID-19 cases rise, parents continue weighing returns to in-person learning

Varying mandates around masks and other safety measures, as well as the lack of a vaccine for young children, continue to complicate the issue.

By Shawna De La Rosa • July 27, 2021

School attorneys: Heated discourse at meetings shouldn't keep boards from conducting business

The public has a right to participation and free speech, but there are steps school boards can take to set expectations for decorum at meetings.

By Kara Arundel • July 26, 2021

'We don't have big goals': Leaders call for ed transformation after COVID-19

Legislators and policymakers at a Reagan Institute event said bipartisanship needed for impactful change has been hard to come by.

By Naaz Modan • July 23, 2021

Report: 'Startling differences' in teacher licensure pass rates among states

Data suggests quality and effectiveness can also vary widely between high-performing institutions and low-performing institutions in the same state.

By Naaz Modan • July 22, 2021

Lessons In Leadership: How a superintendent tapped SpaceX to help close homework gap

With a high ELL population, Texas' Ector County Independent School District is also committed to multilingual programming and parent engagement.

By Roger Riddell • July 20, 2021

How one principal kept the shift to restorative justice time-efficient, cost-effective

Principal Zachary Scott Robbins established his school's restorative justice tribunal in response to Black students facing higher suspension rates.

By Shawna De La Rosa • July 20, 2021

NPC 2021: How can principals build, strengthen equity mindset in schools?

Philadelphia principals detailed the need for systemic change and the crucial role of a strong school community, teacher diversity and partnerships.

By Roger Riddell • July 19, 2021

NPC 2021: New Jersey school builds police relationship to curb exclusionary discipline

Cherry Hill High School West trained staff members in restorative justice approaches so conflicts can be addressed through dialogue and reflection.

By Kara Arundel • July 19, 2021

NPC 2021: Principals share strategies for leading a culture of diversity, unity

During a virtual discussion, three school leaders covered topics ranging from the importance of vulnerability to the problem with saying, "But I'm not racist."

By Roger Riddell • July 16, 2021

Survey: Under-resourced schools less likely to perform COVID-19 testing in fall

While top officials have said ARP funds should cover the costs, some districts have reportedly received only a few hundred dollars or none at all.

By Naaz Modan • July 15, 2021

Special education programs have funding but lack the educators

Administrators are concerned about improving student learning outcomes while there are ongoing teacher shortages.

By Kara Arundel • July 14, 2021

Illinois becomes first state requiring schools to teach Asian American history

Beginning in the 2022-23 school year, Illinois elementary and high school students will learn at least one unit covering the subject.

By Naaz Modan • July 13, 2021

ISTE 2021: School tech leaders also play a role in antiracist work

Boston-area principal Henry Turner suggests the design thinking process used by many tech companies can help schools begin addressing these issues.

By Roger Riddell • July 7, 2021

ISTE 2021: Special education experts advise keeping pandemic best practices

New and pre-existing tools broke down barriers to serving remote and hybrid learners, and now’s not the time to stop using them, panelists said.

By Kara Arundel • July 2, 2021

ISTE 2021: Be bold, not reckless, when investing relief funds in ed tech

Stakeholders want to ensure historic levels of COVID-19 relief funds are used wisely, creatively and have an impact on student learning and well-being.

By Kara Arundel • July 1, 2021

How can schools re-engage 'missing' students ahead of fall?

As full returns to in-person learning in the new school year loom, reaching students who disengaged during the pandemic remains a critical challenge.

By Shawna De La Rosa • June 28, 2021

How are schools fixing the digital equity conundrum?

Attention is being focused at the state and local levels to verify equity and effectiveness in student and teacher use of available digital tools. 

By Kara Arundel • June 24, 2021