School Models

  • A red award ribbon is shown against a purple background with a pencil on either side.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

    Image attribution tooltip
    Dive Awards

    The K-12 Dive Awards for 2025

    Whether they’re driving postsecondary pathways, district marketing strategies or school turnarounds, these leaders are raising the bar for K-12.

    By , • Dec. 16, 2025
  • A superintendent greets elementary students outside of their school as they arrive on a fall morning.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Iowa City Community School District
    Image attribution tooltip
    Dive Awards

    Superintendent of the Year: Matt Degner, Iowa City Community School District

    Competing with public and private school choice, a district leader sets his district apart with a focus on marketing and unique academic programs.

    By • Dec. 16, 2025
  • A young student sits in front of a computer screen. Explore the Trendlineâž”
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Benetech
    Image attribution tooltip
    Trendline

    STEM

    From AI to quantum physics, STEM learning opportunities in K-12 are expanding to keep pace with related fields.

    By K-12 Dive staff
  • An empty chair sits in a dark room. Nothin else is in the room
    Image attribution tooltip
    eranicle via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Bill in Congress aims to ban seclusion, limit restraint in schools

    In addition to improving student safety, the reintroduction of the Keeping All Students Safe Act would increase transparency and oversight.

    By • Dec. 16, 2025
  • A principal is pictured standing among students, speaking to them as they use an embroidery machine in a commercial art course.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Pierre Orbe
    Image attribution tooltip
    Dive Awards

    Principal of the Year: Pierre Orbe, DeWitt Clinton High School

    One educator’s unplanned detour from medical school into education led to a turnaround for one of New York City’s most storied high schools.

    By • Dec. 16, 2025
  • An adult and a young students are sitting at a table. In front of them are figures created with Play-doh
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Beaverton School District
    Image attribution tooltip
    Dive Awards

    District of the Year: Beaverton School District

    The Oregon district has taken career and technical education, dual language programming and cost-saving school transportation to new heights.

    By • Dec. 16, 2025
  • A teacher sits at a desk while virtually instructing students through a laptop. The teacher is in an empty classroom with rows of chairs flipped upside down on top of students' desks.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Jon Cherry via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    School reopenings after pandemic linked to decreased mental health challenges

    District leaders should weigh infection risk and the need for socialization and other school resources in closure decisions during future crises, a study says.

    By • Dec. 12, 2025
  • two students are low to the ground looking at vegetation. The student closest to the camera holds a magnifying glass, a notebook and pencil.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    The scientific method: It’s not just for science anymore

    The same exercises in logic and reason can extend to assignments in the social sciences, humanities and more.

    By Ed Finkel • Dec. 10, 2025
  • Four black graduation caps are being held up in the air by four hands.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Week in Review: Superintendents’ job satisfaction and the status of education degrees

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from a major ed tech data security settlement to the latest on a federal school voucher program.

    By • Dec. 8, 2025
  • A child's hand is seen moving a colorful block to a peg wooden board.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Vanessa Nunes via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    STUDY HALL

    Here’s what to know about the federal early learning Head Start program

    Head Start, which serves nearly 800,000 children ages birth through 5, is the "launchpad for future leaders and strong communities," says NHSA.

    By • Dec. 8, 2025
  • A person stands in the doorway of a classroom with their back to the camera. Another person is seen in the classroom.
    Image attribution tooltip
    John Moore via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Most superintendents satisfied with job, despite the stress and demands

    Nearly 6 in 10 plan to stay in the superintendency over the next five years, an increase from 2010, according to AASA's mid-decade survey of district leaders.

    By • Dec. 4, 2025
  • A flag from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security hangs outside the ICE headquarters in Washington, D.C.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alex Wong via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Districts report enrollment drops amid heightened immigration enforcement

    A larger-than-expected dip in Los Angeles reflects "the realities our immigrant families are facing," Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said.

    By • Dec. 4, 2025
  • 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
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    IDEA at 50: How the landmark law changed education

    The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act has led to innovations for all students, but key factors could hinder further progress.

    By , • Dec. 3, 2025
  • Two adults kneel down to talk with a student seated in a chair
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from U.S. Department of Education/Flickr on December 01, 2025
    Image attribution tooltip

    McMahon marks IDEA’s 50th anniversary with Virginia school visit

    The government won’t take "its foot off of the gas pedal" on IDEA compliance or monitoring, says Kimberly Richey, acting assistant secretary of OSERS.

    By • Dec. 1, 2025
  • A student, whose part of hand and part of head can bee seen, is using a reading device at school. The device is black and has buttons.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Erick Salazar
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive // IDEA AT 50

    How IDEA sparked innovations for students with — and without — disabilities

    The landmark law has become the catalyst for legions of innovative practices and tools to make learning more accessible.

    By • Nov. 25, 2025
  • The camera shows the exterior of an off-white stone building with the working "U.S. Department of Education" on the side of the building
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Week In Review: Fallout from the Education Department’s breakup

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from 8th grade algebra to the latest legal pushes on religion in schools.

    By • Nov. 24, 2025
  • Close-up image of a woman’s hand using a touch screen computer in an office. An array of data is displayed on the screen.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    How a small Oregon district turns data into action

    A streamlined approach helps Umatilla School District make sense of the numbers and ease data anxiety, says Superintendent Heidi Sipe.

    By • Nov. 24, 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 the past week’s K-12 news

    From another shakeup at the Education Department to growth in Arizona’s universal school choice program, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • Nov. 21, 2025
  • Two students and one adult gather around a lab table to observe a robot
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Hands-on learning provides an opportunity to engage students with both hard and soft skills

    One expert advises educators to start small with a few community partners when implementing these experiences.

    By Ed Finkel • Nov. 19, 2025
  • A yellow school bus is seen from the side with an open door and a handful of children walking up the steps into the bus.
    Image attribution tooltip
    FatCamera via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    School bus driver shortage improves slightly with bump in hiring, pay

    Although school bus driver employment has grown by about 2,300 jobs over the past year, the number of positions remains below pre-pandemic levels.

    By • Nov. 18, 2025
  • The outside of a building is seen and there are flags on poles in front of the building.
    Image attribution tooltip
    4nadia via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Lessons learned from Arizona’s universal school choice program

    The state’s universal private school choice program grew 633% between 2021-22 and 2024-25, equaling about 7% of the state’s school population last year.

    By • Nov. 17, 2025
  • an exterior shot of the capitol building at night
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kayla Bartkowski / Staff via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Week In Review: Education Department activities resume

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from special education concerns to enrollment woes.

    By • Nov. 17, 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 the past week’s K-12 news

    From enrollment-based decision-making to AI literacy, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • Nov. 14, 2025
  • Two students are sitting next to each other at a desk in a classroom and are looking at a tablet
    Image attribution tooltip
    monkeybusinessimages via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Where the federal school choice program stands

    The U.S. Department of Treasury is expected to issue proposed rules early next year detailing how the program will operate and how states can opt in.

    By • Nov. 13, 2025
  • An adult is shown shaking hands with another adult while a student carrying a backpack is seen standing to the side. The hands are predominate in the photo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Week In Review: Special education debates ramp up

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from enrollment trends to Colorado’s support for universal meals.

    By • Nov. 10, 2025
  • Bright foam alphabet letters forming the word AI on gray surface symbolizing artificial intelligence learning and modern communication tools
    Image attribution tooltip
    patpitchaya via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Heightened AI use in special education brings elevated risks

    Nearly 60% of special education teachers reported using AI to develop an IEP or Section 504 plan during the 2024-25 school year, a CDT report finds.

    By • Nov. 4, 2025