Matt Zalaznick

Matt Zalaznick is the managing editor of District Administration and a life-long journalist. Prior to writing for District Administration he worked in daily news all over the country, from the NYC suburbs to the Rocky Mountains, Silicon Valley and the U.S. Virgin Islands. He's also in a band.

ThoughtExchange teams with DA to gather new K12 wisdom

District Administration is now collecting and sharing the latest insights from education leaders with the help of ThoughtExchange.

New Dear Colleague Letter warns districts on parents rights

The directive comes as the Department of Education launches investigations into state laws that prohibit school personnel from disclosing a child’s gender identity to parents.

Superintendent Jeni Gotto is all in on competency-based education

Superintendent Jeni Gotto and Westminster Public Schools are so accomplished at competency-based education that she has literally written the book on it.

School counselors are warning of these 3 big challenges

School counselors say they are having a harder time providing personalized support for students due to several  factors. 

Department of Education lawsuits: 2 coalitions challenge Trump’s plans

Two coalitions of K12 and higher ed advocates filed separate lawsuits this week, hoping to derail President Donald Trump's executive order to close the Department of Education.

This is how the Education Department will close

Secretary Linda McMahon said funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act will likely be moved to the Department of Health of Human Services.

Academic recovery faltered. Here is how to reset

'Running fast but not getting far' is how a new analysis describes academic recovery five years after the beginning of the COVID pandemic. 

Tony Watlington plans to reach new heights in Philadelphia

Superintendent Tony Watlington, District Administration's 2025 Superintendent of the Year, is determined to make The School District of Philadelphia the fastest-improving large urban system in the U.S.

School communications: Why leaders have a big, new priority

Community engagement is becoming more critical because of changing federal policy on immigration enforcement, school choice, gender identity and diversity initiatives, communications organization says.

21 states challenge mass layoffs at Department of Education

Coalition of Democratic attorneys general warn in a new lawsuit that the Trump Administration's plan to close the Department of Education is 'reckless and illegal.'

A 50-state look at the well-being of LGBTQ+ young people

The well-being of LGBTQ+ young people suffers not because of who they are but due to mistreatment and stigmatization, a leading suicide-prevention organization contends. 

Walter B. Gonsoulin Jr. named AASA’s Superintendent of the Year

Gonsoulin is superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools in Alabama, the state's second-largest district, and previously led Fairfield City Schools.

This is what the latest K12 book bans block out

K12 book bans cut across grades and genres and frequently target a handful of specific topics, according to the latest PEN America analysis.

Teachers mount a challenge with DEI deadline looming

The American Federation of Teachers has sued the Trump administration over its efforts to drive diversity, equity and inclusion programs out of schools.

Satisfaction with public education takes big fall in annual poll

But K12 leaders might take (a little) solace that they're not alone—Americans' overall satisfaction levels have hit a record low.