Admin & Management

What’s on this superintendent of the year’s bucket list?

Freeing up teachers' time during the workweek ranks high on Superintendent Scott Menzel's list of priorities. Here's why.

How to relieve enrollment stress with the ‘librarian method’

The future belongs to superintendents who embrace school choice and see themselves as educational guides rather than gatekeepers.

Diverse teachers: How to find which states lead the way

A new map that reveals which states have the most diverse teachers comes with troubling details about the changing workforce.

Superintendents on the move: A look at the latest retirements

Superintendent turnover has been making headlines over the last few years. The good news is that superintendents on the move are most likely to leave of their own volition.

Knowing thyself: K12 leadership styles through a football lens

The best leaders are those who know their strengths, embrace their team’s diversity and adapt their play to meet the moment. For the goal is never personal glory, but collective victory.

School staffing: Are we in better shape heading into 2025?

The number of teaching positions in U.S. public schools is holding steady. But that doesn't mean school staffing pressures have vanished. 

Shutting down schools is controversial. But is it common?

Two large districts scrapped controversial plans for shutting down schools, with the fallout costing one California superintendent his job.

FETC 2025: Reimagining time, space and pace in the classroom

The transformation is necessitated by technology—from the good old Internet to generative AI—that is making traditional teaching obsolete.

How E-Rate can fill ESSER’s gaps for technology services

Without pandemic relief, E-Rate, and a new federally funded pilot program for cybersecurity, can help districts sustain critical tech investments.

Public school enrollment: Are there warning signs in the latest numbers?

Public school enrollment dipped slightly in the most recent count and there are some bigger, long-term warning signs in the early grades.

Here is the No. 1 reason for superintendent turnover

The good news is that superintendents, in districts of all sizes, are most likely to leave of their own volition. 

School scheduling: 3 things every superintendent should know

Better schedules can be a major lever for improvement, simultaneously helping raise student achievement and lower costs.

FETC 2025: How to return to relevance in the ‘era of distraction’

There are more effective ways of re-capturing your students’ attention than banning smartphones. As most educators know, engagement was a challenge prior to the arrival of Snapchat and TikTok.

Education policy: How it will shift under new administration

If appointed secretary of education, Linda McMahon’s tenure is likely to emphasize workforce development, parental rights and a decentralization of federal education oversight.

Boiling point: How to predict the post-ESSER pressure cooker

While post-ESSER transition presents significant challenges, it also offers an opportunity for districts to reassess priorities and innovate.

School boards: These topics were more in focus in 2024

At the top of the list are CTE and pre-K, two concepts at opposite ends of the K12 spectrum, according to the school data tracking firm Burbio.

K12 workforce building: The Times They Are a Changin’

School districts that emphasize inclusivity, mobility and flexibility build a stronger workforce and a culture centered on human needs.

Teacher pay: Bigger raises and better benefits will ease shortages

Teachers report that their pay grew over the last two school years. But the average raises fell far below the increases teachers desired, according to a new survey.

FETC 2025: How to grow when things don’t go our way

A lot has changed, and a lot has stayed the same for educators since the turbulence of the COVID years, says FETC 2025 featured speaker and former superintendent Jill Siler.

Building Efficiency: Real District Stories of Enhanced Administrative Processes

Date & Time: Tuesday, December 17 at 2 p.m. ET

In this webinar, discover how K-12 districts are transforming engagement, breaking down silos to drive greater efficiency, streamlining processes and strengthening communication across departments. Gain actionable insights to help you enhance collaboration and connection in your own district.

This state has banned the most books. Here’s a complete list

Florida banned the most books from schools during the 2023-2024 school year. The state has now released a list of all the titles removed.

What K12 leaders should know about 2024 election results

For district leaders, the implications are clear: remain engaged with your communities, foster transparency in decision-making and align initiatives with public values.

ESSER made us do things differently. What’s next?

Here are some lessons from ESSER that can help states, districts and schools get the most out of their existing dollars and build partnerships that can expand their funds going forward.

Open enrollment: New study grades every state on mobility

In the five states that got the highest grades—Oklahoma, Idaho, Arizona, West Virginia and Utah—public schools are free and open to all students who want to transfer between schools or districts. 

Financial challenges: How to guide districts with transparency

As positions are reduced and schools close, the community deserves to know how every dollar is spent and how priorities are being set.

Extending Innovation Post-ESSER: The Next Era in K-12 Staffing Success

Date & Time: Monday, December 9 at 2 p.m. ET

In this special webinar from the DA Leadership Institute, an expert panel will discuss the results of a comprehensive report on how districts across the country are navigating these challenges. From reimagining staffing structures to redefining talent pipelines, this session will equip K-12 leaders with practical strategies to strengthen their workforce and retain impactful changes, even within budget constraints. 

***Attendees will be able to safely download the report, “From ESSER to Enduring Impact: Learnings in Reimagining Staffing for Student and Educator Success.”

Parents aren’t the roadies, they’re now in the band

Schools are now expected to document how they provide regular, clear communication and ensure parents’ voices are reflected in decision-making processes, particularly in the use of federal funds.

Are private school vouchers harmful to public K12?

New research might suggest otherwise. In some states, fewer-than-expected students transferred to private school where programs were available.

K12 fundraising: How one district mobilized to increase donations

For districts, finding a way to streamline and energize fundraising efforts is critical to remaining financially viable.

Why book bans skyrocketed in 2023-24 school year

Many book bans were aimed at stories about women’s romantic sexual experiences, people of color and LGBTQ+ characters.

Substitute Teacher Staffing Simplified: 5 Practical Strategies for Success

Date & Time: Tuesday, October 29 at 2 p.m. ET

In this webinar, we will cover five practical strategies districts can use to run an effective substitute teacher program that keeps classrooms fully staffed and students learning.

The Safety Cycle: Ensuring the Safety of Students from A to B and Back Again

Date & Time: Monday, October 21 at 2 p.m. ET

In this webinar, gain a fresh perspective on how to ensure the safety of your students while they're in transit beyond the safety features that have been installed on their buses. Learn proactive approaches and immediate steps to react quickly and effectively when the unexpected happens.

ESSER is ending: Here’s how to do K12 budgeting differently

Traditionally, districts start each K12 budgeting cycle by taking last year’s spending plan and deciding what needs to change. Frankly, that’s an outdated approach, argues one expert.

Best states for teachers: Why these are the top 3

New York is at the top of the list for teachers. Why? There are several reasons, according to the latest rankings from WalletHub.

How AI Is Bringing Practical Value to School Districts and Administrative Staff

Date & Time: Wednesday, October 16th at 2 pm ET

In this webinar, we explore newly trained models for a form of AI called intelligent document processing. Discover how documents are automatically recognized, data is extracted, and then indexed into content storage and core applications, regardless of whether your district uses Skyward, PowerSchool, Frontline, Microsoft, Infinite Campus, or any other application.