Leadership

Many sitting superintendents are now on the move

Kristy Somerville-Midgette takes the helm at Lynchburg City Schools; Justin Irish is moving to the Northshore School District; and the St. Johns County School District choses Brennan Asplen its next superintendent

How Toyua Watson-Bacchus offers internships in her rural district

This superintendent and her team are committed to providing all of the Concordia Parish School Board's students with work-based learning opportunities.

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.

Meet 2025’s Principal of the Year finalists

This year's finalists for the 2025-26 National Principal of the Year award all have one thing in common: a proven strategy to improve student outcomes.

More and more states hang up on K12 cellphones

A wave of governors and legislatures—regardless of political leanings—are barring the devices throughout the school day as some districts have also taken action to eliminate technological distractions.

DA survey: What will be most important next year?

In DA's latest survey of K12 leaders, your fellow administrators share what they will prioritize—and deprioritize—in 2025-26.

This research shows the full scope of superintendent turnover

In the last five years, the number of superintendents who have been fired or terminated without review has risen slightly. Fortunately, more superintendents are choosing to keep their jobs.

The 10 best—and worst—states for teacher salaries

The average teacher salary hovers aroudn $72,000. Yet, teachers still make 5% less than they did 10 years ago when adjusted for inflation.

The only guide you need for collecting school-issued tech

The process of collecting school-issued tech doesn't start in the spring, but on day one of the school year, says one expert. Here's why.

States must now define and label ‘persistently dangerous’ schools

The Department of Education wants state leaders to define what makes a school "persistently dangerous," enforcing a law that has long been underused by schools and their families to expand school choice options for parents.

Look out for these financial risks to your budget

At a time when federal funding is determined by compliance with federal policy like Title IX, questions like "How can we forecast at a time like this?" and "What else is coming down the pike?" are top-of-mind for superintendents.

New statewide cellphone bans ahead for next school year

New York, the largest state to pass a ban, is providing $13.5 million in funding for cellphone storage and require districts to ensure parents can contact their children during the school day. 

4 reasons pre-K teachers are on the verge of quitting

In spring 2024, nearly twice as many public pre-K teachers reported frequent job-related stress compared to similar working adults. Here are four reasons why.

Empowering Student Mental Wellness: The Science of Adolescent Emotional Development and School-Based Support

Date & Time: Wednesday, June 4th at 2 p.m. ET

In this webinar, hear best practices from a non-profit to learn about the science of adolescent development and how district leadership, school leaders and educators can strategically strengthen key elements of students’ school experience that contribute to both well-being and academic success.

How Trump’s ‘skinny budget’ impacts K12 funding

The proposed budget creates a new K12 Simplified Funding Program that consolidates 18 competitive and formula grant programs into a new formula grant.

Schools suddenly lose $1 billion for mental health care

DEI appears to be the reason the Trump administration is slashing $1 billion in school mental health grants created after the Uvalde mass shooting, according to multiple reports.

Here’s a better way to measure a school’s performance

Standardized test scores are an outdated metric for measuring school performance. Instead, schools should be measured based on the balancing of five important factors.

Strategic reorganization: How to consolidate cabinet roles

Budgets are shrinking, costs are rising and leaders are under pressure to do more with less. For some districts, rethinking leadership and cabinet roles may be part of the solution.

Are tariffs impacting schools? Not as much as labor costs

Tariffs can drag on the economy and the state revenues that play a major role in school districts' finances.

How to create a (very popular) extra school day

Traffic in front of a school is a "great problem to have"—especially on a Saturday, says Superintendent Tahira Dupree Chase of New York's Westbury Union Free School District.

Judges block Trump’s moves to withhold funds over DEI

Amid public defiance by education leaders to disregard the Trump Administration's anti-DEI policy, three separate judges delivered a heavy legal blow to the Department of Education.

Trump cracks down on school discipline and elevates AI

The Trump Administration unveiled a slew of executive orders on Wednesday, two of which aim to reinstate "commonsense" school discipline practices and advance artificial intelligence education.

Here is what superintendents value most about learning this summer

See how superintendents judge the success of summer learning and what prevents students from attending.

How staff are using the latest tech to save lives

The most impactful safety plans empower every staff member to take action when an emergency occurs.

See which superintendents are on the move right now

Longtime superintendents such as Gillian Chapman, Alex Cherniss and Glenn Barnes have found new homes during a busy hiring season from coast to coast.

Superintendent Paula Knight: How to take risks on behalf of students

Superintendent Paula Knight was way ahead of the curve on a big issue: Cell phones in schools.

Research: Principal turnover has improved, but not enough

In the 2021-22 school year, the percentage of principals who retired or resigned skyrocketed to 16%, 13 percentage points from its pre-pandemic levels.

8 ways to strengthen your principal pipelines

Superintendents should be thinking long-term when creating sustainable systems aimed at developing and supporting school leaders.

Budget season: How to achieve financial agility and sustainability

This budget season is critical due to the end of ESSER funds, declining enrollments, uncertain federal K12 funding, rising costs and looming local and state tax base declines.

States sue to bring back ESSER spending extensions

On Thursday, a lawsuit was filed in New York suggesting that K12 schools were stripped of their previously promised pandemic relief funds "with no advance notice or warning." 

Introducing 2025’s NASSP Assistant Principals of the Year

Two assistant principals have earned one of the highest honors education leadership has to offer. Meet 2025's NASSP Assistant Principals of the Year.

3 ways to keep failing infrastructure from failing students

The American Society of Civil Engineers gives a D+ to public school infrastructure. Here's how to improve buildings lifespans.

NOLA is the latest big district to pick new leader

Mike Dominguez takes the helm at Missouri's Francis Howell School District while Jami Jo Thompson is named the next superintendent of Rapid City Area Schools.

Exclusive: Here are 7 ways to manage your new, innovative initiatives

The obstacles associated with change management are inevitable. The lessons learned from these districts' that recently piloted bold initiatives aim to help you navigate change and mitigate the risks.

Take DA’s survey: What are your big priorities this year?

With so much going on in education, you deserve a chance to speak out. DA’s new survey is gauging the goals of education leaders.