Teacher recruitment and retention, strategic planning, and students’ emotional and academic well-being are the top priorities for the 2025-26 school years, according to a DA K12 leadership survey.
Breaking those topics down, administrators surveyed by DA and ThoughtExchange said they will focus on teacher evaluation and accountability, recruiting qualified special education staff, addressing other educator shortages and finalizing union contracts.
Participants highlighted the need for better compensation, affordable daycare and professional growth opportunities to retain teachers.
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Accountability and high-quality instruction will be key to driving academic growth across and closing achievement gaps across all grade levels as districts work to improve outcomes on state report cards and prepare students for college and careers.
In the academic and behavioral realms, districts plan to enhance early literacy and mental health services, implement multi-tiered systems of support models, boost college and career readiness and work to make instruction more engaging.
Respondents said they will advocate for more flexible and stable funding streams from state and federal policymakers to cover budget deficits and maintain essential services. At the same time, district leaders intend to improve their financial planning procedures.
Leaders said they will continue to integrate artificial intelligence, provide governance training to their staff and collaborate with community members and other stakeholders when developing strategic plans.
When asked what they might deprioritize, participants said they were likely to reduce spending on office supplies, school board expenses, curriculum materials and professional development.
