My students need real connection, not AI feedback
As I wrapped up my student conferences, one conversation stuck with me. Steven had barely touched his final project for our computer science course, a virtual simulation of…
schools
What’s in Your K-12 HR Toolbox?
See how Marshall Public Schools uses Frontline Professional Growth to simplify evaluations, support self-reflection, and create more productive post-observation conversations. ... Read more
Finding the “low way”: Reclaiming creativity in schools
When my daughter was little, every time we climbed into the car, she’d look up and ask, “Are we going to take the low way?”
When it comes to absenteeism, the real work begins in summer
Every June, once the last bus leaves and the halls go quiet, I get the strong desire to take a deep breath and to allow the pressure of…
Summer isn’t just a season, it’s a strategy
Summer is full of learning opportunities that many children miss. When back-to-school season begins, some kids are already starting behind. That's all due to a lack of access…
The hidden cost of fragmented student data in K–12 schools
In many K–12 schools today, fragmented student data has quietly become one of the most significant barriers to effective decision-making and day-to-day operations. While digital tools have expanded…
Why students disengage before they fall behind
I once met a student who had attended three different schools before arriving at mine. His parents described him in familiar terms: quiet, disengaged, unmotivated.
Education in a connected world: Preparing students for global careers
The world of work is changing fast. Careers no longer sit neatly within a single industry, city, or even country; they span disciplines, time zones, technologies, and cultures.
Protecting teachers from workplace violence as student behavior challenges rise
Schools have seen rising problems with student behavior since the pandemic. For too many K-12 districts, these student behavior challenges are leading to violence against teachers.
It’s time to rewrite math standards for the future–and to stop expecting AI to do it for us
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…
A viral case against screens in schools is winning converts. Does the evidence hold up?
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…
Why digital resilience is critical for U.S. K-12 schools
While prevention remains essential, 2025 has reinforced a hard lesson for district leaders: it’s not a question of if a cyber incident will occur, but how prepared a…
When it comes to student attendance, are districts measuring the wrong thing?
Across the country, schools are raising alarms about chronic absenteeism. News stories highlight rising numbers of missed days, legislators are demanding answers from districts, and educators are feeling…
In districts, reaching readiness, retention, and success
It's critical that schools create an environment where students thrive and teachers and staff feel supported and empowered.
Strengthening the PK-12 leadership pipeline during a succession crisis
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…
Why schools and public libraries must unite–in summer and all year long
Some of the most effective literacy ecosystems today are those where schools and public libraries work not in parallel, but in partnership with parents and students.
School Specialty Expands Learning Beyond the Screen with New Outdoor Furniture Line
Childcraft expands early learning beyond four walls and screens with durable, sustainable furniture designed for outdoor discovery.
The digital divide redux: Why AI is the new broadband
Remember the early 2000s, back when high-speed internet felt like a luxury reserved for the tech elite and the lucky few with deep pockets? We called it the…
When seconds matter: Why in-building coverage is a lifeline for school safety
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.
The three P’s of writing a memorable college essay
As a former admissions officer and now an independent education consultant, I’ve read thousands of college essays. The ones that earn students admission to their dream schools aren’t…
Beyond the dashboard: Why K-12 educators need data literacy, not just data
Walk into any data meeting at a K-12 school today, and you'll likely see a familiar scene: educators huddled around printed reports, highlighters in hand, trying to make…
Reimagining teacher preparation to include student mental health supports
Teacher preparation programs have long emphasized curriculum, instruction, and assessment. However, they often fall short in one critical area: social-emotional and mental health needs of students.
AI for empathy: Using generative tools to deepen, not replace, human connection in schools
For the last two years, conversations about AI in education have tended to fall into two camps: excitement about efficiency or fear of replacement. Teachers worry they’ll lose…
Connected campuses: Modernizing education communications for safety and simplicity
Schools, colleges, and universities face growing challenges in keeping their communities informed, connected, and engaged.
The rise of remote psychoeducational testing: What school leaders need to know
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.
What K-20 leaders should know about building resilient campuses
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…
49 predictions about edtech, innovation, and–yes–AI in 2026
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…
What happens after the U.S. Department of Education is dissolved?
In light of Donald Trump assuming a second presidential term in 2025, conversations concerning dismantling the United States Department of Education have resurfaced.
Lerner Publishing Group Launches Dr. Gholdy Muhammad’s Genius and Joy Curriculum
MINNEAPOLIS, MN—Lerner Publishing Group, a leading publisher of K-12 educational materials, is proud to announce the launch of Dr. Gholdy ... Read more
School Specialty LLC Announces Acquisition of Nasco Education U.S.
Greenville, Wis – December 8, 2025 – School Specialty®, a leading provider of learning environments, supplies and science curriculum to ... Read more
Teaching might be synchronous, but learning is always happening asynchronously
The bell rings at 10:00 a.m. A teacher begins explaining quadratic equations. Some students lean forward, pencils ready. Others stare at the clock. A few are still turning…
Top Security Challenges and Solutions for Education
Educational institutions face an unprecedented array of cybersecurity issues. From elementary schools to major research universities, academic organizations must balance ... Read more
How school IT teams lock down QR-based SSO without hurting usability
Schools can keep QR logins safe and seamless by blending clear visual cues, ongoing user education, and risk-based checks behind the scenes
More parents are homeschooling–and turning to podcasts for syllabus support
A revolution quietly underway in American education: the rise of homeschooling. In the past decade, there’s been a 61 percent increase in homeschool students across the United States,…
How AI is streamlining special education
Districts nationwide are grappling with increased special education demands amid persistent staff shortages and compliance pressures.
Rethink the classroom: How interactive tech simplifies IT and supercharges learning
Today’s school IT teams juggle endless demands--secure systems, manageable devices, and tight budgets--all while supporting teachers who need tech that just works.
Plenty of schools have no-zeroes policies. And most teachers hate it, a new survey finds
About one in four teachers say their schools don’t give students zeroes. And nearly all of them hate it.
K-12 districts are fighting ransomware, but IT teams pay the price
The education sector is making measurable progress in defending against ransomware, with fewer ransom payments, dramatically reduced costs, and faster recovery rates.
Martinsville, VA – Security and Improved Situational Awareness Case Study
Martinsville City Schools use detection technology integrated with video and access control to cut emergency response time—empowering staff to act ... Read more
Download A New Framework for High-Impact PLCs
This guide helps schools reset with: A step-by-step framework to evaluate and improve your PLC structure Strategies aligned with high-impact ... Read more