Teaching & Learning

Predictions: 5 ways schools will change this new year

Pushback against artificial intelligence will cease and leaders will double down on safety, K12 thought leaders forecast.

A simple way colleges in 3 states invite more high schoolers

Alabama, Illinois and Tennessee are now offering acceptance letters—and even scholarships—with just the click of a button.

Every Day Matters: Improving Attendance by Centering Belonging in MTSS

Date & Time: Wednesday, September 17th at 2 p.m. ET

As districts grapple with chronic absenteeism, join us to learn how Oakland Unified and Delano Union center belonging at school with proactive MTSS structures they built to better understand their students’ holistic needs and provide early support before these learners start disengaging. 

Colleges must show they don’t consider race in admissions

Colleges and universities must provide admissions data to show they are prioritizing test scores and academic achievements.

4 ways to free up teachers’ time and improve instruction

District leaders must recognize the time constraints that keep teachers from their most important responsibility: providing high-quality instruction.

4 ways to close reading gaps for middle schoolers

Today's eighth-graders need close to a full academic year of additional instruction to catch up to their pre-pandemic peers in reading.

Teachers say they’re better off in 2025, but burnout persists

New research concludes that teachers are better off now than they were in 2024, underscoring the work superintendents are doing to invest in their teaching staff. However, burnout is still an issue.

These 10 states have the nation’s best schools

When it comes to overall quality and safety, Massachusetts boasts the nation's best school systems.

What Gen Z needs to know about non-college pathways

Gen Z students feel well-informed about four-year degrees and post-high school workforce options but know less about other non-college pathways, a new survey finds.

Bridging the Special Ed Gap: 5 Strategies to Strengthen Co-Teaching Practices for Inclusive Education

Date & Time: Wednesday, July 30th at 1 p.m. ET

Part of the DA Leaders Summer School series, this webinar will equip districts and schools with cohesive co-teaching practices and student-centered support structures that leaders can implement with what they have immediately on hand to break down the siloes between general and special education.

Multilingual learners: How your district can better support them

Linguistic equity starts with recognizing that multilingual learners bring unique strengths to the classroom.

More federal investigations pile up against school districts

The Department of Education has launched investigations of several school districts and state education departments. Each case shines a light on what exactly the federal agency is looking for and how you can avoid conflict.

Countering the big impact of poor mental health on academics

Student mental health results in several negative outcomes, including disruption in classrooms, exhausting budgets and stretching school leaders to their breaking point, a new survey suggests.

11 reasons students aren’t applying to college

College is either far too expensive, too far from home or too "elitist," a new survey suggests. Here are eight more reasons students aren't applying to college.

How these 3 leaders approach creative staffing

District Administration spoke with three superintendents who are taking a creative approach to recruit and retain high-quality teachers.

Students grade their schools a B for these reasons

Students gave their schools better grades for overall quality and their relationship with teachers, according to new research. 

Here is why and when students lost interest in math

Students develop identities as "math people" during elementary school, suggesting that teachers at that level "have a large role in cultivating positive math attitudes," according to a new survey.

4 ways states can better address chronic absenteeism

More states are publishing chronic absenteeism data than ever before. Here's how their reporting can improve so schools can take action even quicker.

Can colleges overcome cuts to two big access programs?

President Donald Trump's push to eliminate TRIO and GEAR UP funding is forcing schools enrolling high proportions of low-income and marginalized students to quickly re-allocate resources.

4 big reasons micro-credentials are off to a slow start

Interest in micro-credentials is high in K12 as leaders look for fresh ways to prepare students for post-graduation success.

Students can now earn a credential from more schools

Schools—from K12 districts to four-year colleges and universities—are upgrading their credentials to swiftly upskill the emerging and mid-career workforce.

Why high school graduates now need perspective on higher ed to enroll

The Class of 2024's decreasing interest in attending four-year colleges and universities may be stemming from a lack of career guidance, according to this survey.

Why these CEOs want states to require computer science in high school

Did you know that taking one high school computer science class could boost students' future wages by 8%? That's why more than 200 CEOs are calling for new requirements.

Uncertainty, anxiety, hope: How parents feel about the Education Department

A survey shows a split in emotion, with about as many parents expressing anger and anxiety as feeling hopeful and excited.

Chicago Public Schools’ ‘Black Student Success Plan’ is under investigation

Education Department launches an investigation into an allegation that Chicago Public Schools' remedial program discriminates against students of other races. 

The Future of Teaching Math: What Makes High-Quality Instruction for the Classrooms of Tomorrow

Date & Time: Tuesday, May 27th at 2 p.m. ET

In this dynamic 30-minute Ed Talk, learn about the evolving landscape of math education from Kern County’s Chief Curriculum and Instruction Officer Cole Sampson, Ed.D. Discover practical strategies and innovative approaches to cultivate deeper conceptual understanding, foster mathematical thinking, and ignite a passion for learning in your K-8 classrooms.

***Attendees will be able to safely download the guide "It Doesn’t Add Up: Why You Need a Better Math Curriculum" to help education leaders understand why prioritizing math education is critical and show how to choose a curriculum that drives real outcomes in math.

Large print books promise powerful results for all readers

Large print books impact literacy development significantly, leading students to feel confident and less anxious about reading in class.

What will happen to districts that defy Trump’s DEI order?

A growing number of states say they are removing DEI from their schools even as some leaders refuse to comply.

Linda McMahon: The Nation’s Report Card is on track

More than one month since Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced massive layoffs at the U.S. Department of Education, she has promised that the highly anticipated Nation's Report Card will be released as normal.

Maine at risk of losing its federal K12 funding

U.S. Department of Education is on the verge of defunding Maine's schools over what the agency says are Title IX violations involving transgender athletes.

Feds launch new team to investigate transgender athletes

Launch of the "Title IX Special Investigations Team" comes one day after the Trump administration threatened to withhold Title I funding over DEI programs.

Schools must now prove anti-discrimination compliance to preserve funding

As of this week, K12 school districts must certify their adherence to Title VI or risk a loss of federal assistance, according to the Department of Education.

Leading with Vision: How PLCs Drive High Achievement in a Top-Performing Utah School District

Date & Time: Tuesday, April 29th at 2 p.m. ET

In this webinar, moderator Mark Edwards, 2013 National Superintendent of the Year, will explore how Superintendent Paul Sweat of Wasatch County School District—one of only 32 Model PLC districts in the U.S. and Canada— used a PLC approach to help increase student proficiency from 50-60% to over 90% in just a few years.

***All attendees will receive a free eBook, "The Complete Guide to Professional Learning Communities," packed with insights and strategies to build a data-driven, student-focused school culture.

Motivating Every Learner: Strategies to Spark Math Engagement

Date & Time: Wednesday, April 23rd at 2 p.m. ET

With a special guest from Atlanta Public Schools, join us for a webinar designed for—and by—education leaders, where we’ll explore effective strategies to enhance student engagement in math when recent NAEP findings underscore the importance of instructional strategies that build both skill mastery and self-efficacy.

***All attendees will be able to safely download a comprehensive study of California schools that experienced improved end-of-year results in math.

Summer literacy: An important way to close learning gaps

Structured summer literacy programs using familiar resources help students avoid the summer slide and start the school year strong.