school Archives

It’s time to rewrite math standards for the future–and to stop expecting AI to do it for us

April 12, 2026April 9, 2026 by Jill Diniz & James Tanton, SmartWithIt

$As we look ahead and begin to redefine math education, one thing is abundantly clear: AI won’t fix bad pedagogy.$

While nearly every industry is racing to integrate artificial intelligence, most schools are still teaching high school math the way it’s been done for decades--rooted in instructional material…

Student Well-Being

District leaders must adapt to meet changing student mental health and behavioral needs

April 7, 2026 by Brandy Samuell, M. Ed., & Kay Kelly, eLuma

How school systems are building clear, connected ways to respond as student mental health needs and student well-being needs grow.

District leaders across the country are grappling with a deepening crisis: Student mental and behavioral health needs are growing more complex. In a recent national survey, 58 percent…

District Management

Sustainable change starts with educator voice

April 6, 2026 by Timothy Montalvo, Iona University & the College of Westchester

When educator voice helps shape the work of their schools, change becomes a shared commitment to better outcomes for students.

School leaders everywhere are working to implement change--new initiatives, new instructional frameworks, new technologies, new approaches to student support.

Digital Learning Tools

A viral case against screens in schools is winning converts. Does the evidence hold up?

April 1, 2026 by Matt Barnum, Chalkbeat

In his book and Senate testimony, a neuroscientist offers a three-pronged case against screens and edtech in schools.

Schools have been struggling for nearly a decade with stagnant or declining test scores. Some have blamed external factors like the pandemic or children’s screen use outside of…

School Management

5 secrets to stronger high school connections

March 31, 2026 by Tracey Widmann, McDowell High School

A comprehensive school communication system often means the difference between parents knowing they’re true partners and feeling left out.

I’ve been a principal for 14 years, during which time I served as the leader of an alternative school, an early college, and a large middle school. Through…

Prepare Your District – Five Challenges To Solve For Today

March 27, 2026March 27, 2026 by Vcarlson

K-12 SCHOOLS HAVE WEATHERED SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. Although many districts have already made great strides, they ... Read more

AI in Education

Student use of AI for homework rises as concerns grow about critical thinking skills

March 25, 2026 by Teach Strats Staff

Students are clearly embracing AI as a learning tool, but they’re also conflicted about what it means for their own learning.

Student use of AI for homework increased in 2025, even as more students are worried the technology may be harming their ability to think critically, according to a…

STEM & STEAM Trends

Boosting student engagement on World Math Day

March 20, 2026 by Sheila Robitaille, Educator and Administrator

$World Math Day builds lesson practice in a gaming environment and is very effective in helping students build a love for learning.$

If you’re feeling a bit sluggish (rightly so), most likely your students are. It may not feel like they are the prime audience for learning about multiplication, division,…

Literacy

From fragmentation to fidelity: How Wayne-Westland built a literacy system that works

March 16, 2026 by Nancy Schulz, Wayne-Westland Community School District

Proper diagnostics create a foundation to help close the literacy gap and drive measurable outcomes for all students.

On the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress, only about one in four fourth graders in Michigan scored at or above proficiency in reading--a stark reminder that too…

AI in Education

Nearly half of high school students now use AI in college search

March 4, 2026 by Teach Strats Staff

A new survey of high school students finds AI has growing influence on whether students go to college, where they apply, and what they study.

AI is transforming the way students discover, evaluate, and choose colleges, according to a national survey of more than 5,000 high school students conducted by education company EAB.

District Management

Too many apps, too many missed messages

March 3, 2026 by Crystal Famania, Phoenix Elementary School District #1

How a 100 percent Title I district strengthened family trust through consistency and unifying school communication.

In our district, families were checking multiple apps just to keep up with school communication. One child’s teacher posted in one platform. Another school used something different. District…

College and Career Readiness

From high school to career: 6 CTE trends to track in 2026

February 27, 2026 by Dirk Butler, NAF

States and employers are increasingly integrating CTE into broader workforce and talent development strategies.

Without a doubt, career and technical education (CTE) is priceless for high school students wanting to get real-world, hands-on job skills before they graduate and turn their interests…

District Management

Strengthening the PK-12 leadership pipeline during a succession crisis

February 26, 2026 by Dr. Martin Yousef, LaFetra College of Education, University of La Verne

Without intentional investment, the PK-12 leadership pipeline will continue to narrow as retirements outpace preparation.

Across the country, districts are confronting a growing PK-12 leadership pipeline crisis. Veteran principals, assistant principals, and district administrators are retiring at increasing rates, yet there is not…

Emergency Planning & Response

How location precision enhances safety and reduces response times in emergencies

February 24, 2026 by Peter Crosbie, CENTEGIX

Effective responses during school emergencies depend on knowing how to get to the right place at the right time and with the right resources.

In emergencies, time is the most valuable resource--and it’s often the one in shortest supply. Whether a medical crisis, fire, or security threat, the difference between a quick…

District Management

A smarter way to modernize aging school facilities

February 20, 2026 by Brett Taylor, Mooring USA

A practical framework for education leaders to prioritize safety, resilience, and continuity when upgrading aging school facilities.

School buildings quietly shape everything that happens inside them. When systems work as intended, learning moves forward uninterrupted. When they fail, instruction, safety, and trust can unravel quickly.

Newsline

Celebrating Teachers: Nominate Outstanding Educators for Crystal Apple Awards

February 17, 2026 by Teach Strats Staff

School Specialty, a leading provider of learning environments, instructional solutions, and supplies for preK-12 education, is proud to celebrate outstanding educators with its 12th annual Crystal Apple Awards.

Literacy

5 high-frequency and irregular word teaching strategies rooted in the Science of Reading

February 10, 2026 by Kendall Stallings, Fairfield County (CT) Kindergarten Teacher

When it comes to teaching, educators can move beyond memorization and equip students with the tools they need for fluent, confident reading.

When students learn to read in the early elementary years, developing phonemic awareness, decoding skills, and blending typically take priority. Another essential component of fluent reading, however, is…

College and Career Readiness

Building pathways to purpose: How we can empower students for an uncertain future

February 15, 2026February 9, 2026 by Dr. David Dimmett, Project Lead the Way & Lisa Dughi, NAF

Students who receive exposure to career pathways through district and community partnerships have a better chance of professional success.

One day, something clicked for Jacob Griffin's students. Mr. Griffin, a teacher at the NAF Academy of Engineering at Southeast Raleigh High School in North Carolina, found that…

Students with Special Needs

Mis-identifying “504-only” students

February 6, 2026 by Perry A. Zirkel, Retired Professor of Education Law

At a time of teacher shortage, high percentages of students with 504 plans contributes to current recruitment and attrition problems.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits discrimination against students and other individuals with disabilities, is far less visible than the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)…

Newsline

School Specialty Expands Learning Beyond the Screen with New Outdoor Furniture Line

February 3, 2026 by Teach Strats Staff

Childcraft expands early learning beyond four walls and screens with durable, sustainable furniture designed for outdoor discovery.

Emergency Planning & Response

When seconds matter: Why in-building coverage is a lifeline for school safety

January 28, 2026 by Payam Maveddat, Wilson Connectivity

Every student, teacher, and responder deserves the same chance to communicate in an emergency, and school communications coverage is critical

During a school emergency, every minute that passes is crucial, but in those moments, a reliable connection can mean the difference between confusion and coordinated response.

District Management

Cutting costs without cutting corners

January 15, 2026 by Jacqueline Benson, Jurupa Unified School District

This district is streamlining payroll, staffing, and operations to stay ahead of shrinking budgets--here’s how other districts can follow suit

With the end of federal COVID-19 emergency funding and the inherent volatility of state income tax revenues, California school districts are in an era of financial uncertainty.

Student Well-Being

The rise of remote psychoeducational testing: What school leaders need to know

January 6, 2026 by Stephanie Taylor, Ed.S., NCSP, Taylored Education Solutions

Remote testing isn’t just a novelty--it’s a practical, scalable solution that is rooted in evidence to help students with mental health.

Special education is at a breaking point. Across the country, more children than ever are being referred for evaluations to determine whether they qualify for special education services.

District Management

What K-20 leaders should know about building resilient campuses

January 5, 2026 by John Scott Mooring, Mooring USA

From smarter materials to proactive planning, these strategies help create resilient schools that stay open and prepared for what comes next.

When a school building fails, everything it supports comes to a halt. Learning stops. Families scramble. Community stability is shaken. And while fire drills and lockdown procedures prepare…

Edtech Trends

49 predictions about edtech, innovation, and–yes–AI in 2026

January 16, 2026January 1, 2026 by Laura Ascione

Schools face challenges and opportunities to innovate, integrate new edtech practices, and move beyond classroom walls for lifelong education.

As K-12 schools prepare for 2026, edtech and innovation are no longer driven by novelty--it’s driven by necessity. District leaders are navigating tighter budgets, shifting enrollment, rising cybersecurity…

School Management

Being a principal just got harder–and here’s why

December 29, 2025 by Chris DeRemer, Chalkbeat

A principal should create an environment so safe and accepting that students and staff never feel like they must look over their shoulder.

There is a squeaky old merry-go-round in my neighborhood that my own children play on from time to time. Years of kids riding on it have loosened its…

District Management

Chronic absenteeism could derail K-12 education

December 19, 2025 by Joe Philleo, Edia

When communities unite to battle chronic absenteeism and make school attendance a priority, students receive the support they need to succeed

The biggest problem in education is that kids aren’t showing up to school. Last year, 26 percent of students missed a month of class or more, leading to…

ELL

Why every middle school student deserves a second chance to learn to read

December 15, 2025 by Kim Hicks, Southwestern Jefferson County Consolidated School

To read with confidence, middle school students need foundational literacy instruction that respects age, cognitive development, and dignity.

Between kindergarten and second grade, much of the school day is dedicated to helping our youngest students master phonics, syllabication, and letter-sound correspondence--the essential building blocks to lifelong…

Curriculum & Assessment

A smarter path to standards-based success: How Superior Public Schools united curriculum and data

December 11, 2025 by Tricia Kuhlmann and Jodi Fierstein, Superior Public Schools

From the beginning, school leaders knew the district's transition to a standards-based curriculum needed to be intentional and collaborative.

Creating consistency between classrooms and ensuring curriculum alignment school-wide can be challenging, even in the smallest of districts. Every educator teaches--and grades--differently based on their experience and preferences,…

Newsline

School Specialty LLC Announces Acquisition of Nasco Education U.S.

December 8, 2025 by Teach Strats Staff

Greenville, Wis – December 8, 2025 – School Specialty®, a leading provider of learning environments, supplies and science curriculum to ... Read more

Literacy

Solving the staffing crisis is key to the Science of Reading movement

December 5, 2025 by Laura Stewart, 95 Percent Group

Every time a new leader or teacher steps in, the hard-won progress on a literacy initiative can be jeopardized--staffing is critical.

As someone who’s dedicated my career to advancing the Science of Reading movement, I’ve seen firsthand what it takes to help every child become a strong, fluent reader.

District Management

How one school reimagined learning spaces–and what others can learn

December 2, 2025 by Beth Stone, Collegedale Academy

Schools can build learning spaces and environments where students feel they belong--and where teachers are empowered to do their best work.

When Collegedale Academy, a PreK–8 school outside Chattanooga, Tennessee, needed a new elementary building, we faced a choice that many school leaders eventually confront: repair an aging facility…

Digital Learning Tools

3 reasons to switch to virtual set design

November 26, 2025 by Jared Cole, Churchill High School, Livonia Public Schools

Virtual set design offers more than just impressive shows--it provides a cost-effective, flexible, and innovative approach to storytelling.

If you’ve attended a professional show or musical recently, chances are you’ve seen virtual set design in action. This approach to stage production has gained so much traction…

Newsline

100 Learning Spaces Transformed, $5 Million Invested: School Specialty and College Football Playoff Foundation Celebrate Impact Across Schools Nationwide

November 24, 2025 by Teach Strats Staff

New media center at North Dade Middle School marks milestone in initiative revitalizing learning environments to benefit the entire learning ... Read more

District Management

From silos to systems: The digital advantage in schools

November 20, 2025 by Sara Douglas, Campbell County Schools

Going digital for critical student services helps education leaders centralize data and ensure seamless support across campuses.

When I first stepped into my role overseeing student data for the Campbell County School District, it was clear we were working against a system that no longer…

STEM & STEAM Trends

Teaching math the way the brain learns changes everything

November 17, 2025 by Nigel Nisbet, Mind Education

$Using visual and meaningful context aligned to how the brain learns can make math more understandable and engaging for all students.$

Far too many students enter math class expecting to fail. For them, math isn’t just a subject--it’s a source of anxiety that chips away at their confidence and…

School Management

Truth vs. risk management: How to move forward

November 17, 2025November 13, 2025 by Dr. Yuvraj Verma, Bessemer City Middle School and William Howard Taft University

Explaining the “why” behind a decision can build staff trust, morale, and intelligence when it comes to truth and risk management.

In the world of K-12 education, teachers are constantly making decisions that affect their students and families. In contrast, administrators are tasked with something even bigger: making decisions…

From explaining to empowering: How tutors can support student thinking

November 11, 2025 by Dr. Halley Bowman, Saga Education

Building cognitive lift doesn’t require a complete overhaul--it comes from small shifts tutors can make in every tutoring session.

Consider the work of a personal trainer. They can explain and model a workout perfectly, but if the athlete isn’t the one doing the lifting, their muscles won’t…

K-12 Cybersecurity

How school IT teams lock down QR-based SSO without hurting usability

November 10, 2025 by Charlie Sander, ManagedMethods

Phishing via QR codes, a tactic now known as “quishing,” involves attackers embedding malicious QR codes in emails or posters.

Schools can keep QR logins safe and seamless by blending clear visual cues, ongoing user education, and risk-based checks behind the scenes

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