Business, finance, policy, compliance, operations

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Let’s take a look at back-to-school’s ‘Big 3’

Here's what comes next as leaders formulate post-ESSER spending plans, craft smartphone policies and try to keep kids in schools.

Leaders in California district see improvements in the purchasing process with Amazon Business

San Marcos Unified School District uses Amazon Business to procure paper products, office supplies, school supplies such as pencils and iPad covers, and even for car parts and other maintenance items.

Learning loss can still be overcome with ESSER funds

Recent data shows that elementary and middle school students have made significant strides since 2020 but still have a long way to go.

School spending: New analysis offers glimpse of 2024 priorities

The phrase "budget documents" may not be the two most exciting words in K12 education. However, a more compelling keyword search shows leaders prioritizing safety, family engagement and facilities.

Beyond Books: 3 ways school librarians can support student success

Ever-advancing technology, budget constraints and encouraging a love for reading while competing with nonstop digital distractions are just a few of the many challenges school librarians face.

TGIF time-saver: How to gauge ESSER’s academic impact

Studies link ESSER to slight rise in test scores. Also this week, former President Donald Trump eyes federal education funding and Google announces new AI tools.

School boarding meetings: How much time is devoted STEM?

In some states, nearly half of district school boards prioritized STEM/STEAM-related topics, new Burbio data suggests.

School closures: More big districts are making tough choices

Seattle could close 20 elementary schools. Ohio's largest district also has its eye on middle and high school adjustments. But a Colorado district has halted its closure plans.

Teachers around the world are facing similar hurdles—and AI, too

In a global McGraw-Hill poll, more than half of educators said that issues at home, insufficient family support and other external influences are the "largest obstacles to student success."

3 ways your remaining ESSER funds will drive digital learning

K12 leaders should strongly consider using remaining ESSER funds to enhance digital learning solutions to meet students where they are.

How to maximize ESSER funding before it’s gone

It is tempting to think of these last ESSER funds as one-time expenditures to address limited, one-time needs. A better way to consider these funds would be as a down payment on sustainable strategies.

Administrators deserve better than just one poverty metric

Many in the education community agree that free and reduced-price lunch data is far from perfect and doesn’t tell the full poverty story.

Can we close the economic divides between K12 neighbors?

The solutions start with district leaders lobbying for new state policies, such as redrawing districts intentionally to serve a more racially and economically diverse mix of communities, a new report advises.

Strategic school staffing: How to upscale 7 promising models

Strategic school staffing models recognize that the K12 teaching workforce will never again look like it did in decades past, researchers say.

5 stressors states should expect when ESSER funds expire

Inflation is slowly declining. However, overall costs are much higher than they were in previous years, according to the authors of a new report. Here's what to look out for.

AI focus is shifting from cheating to better learning

Educators will have to take the lead on setting strategy as state guidance on artificial intelligence's use in education remains "ambiguous and underdeveloped," a new analysis says

Leaders forced to close more schools by 2 big concerns

Wichita Public Schools in Kansas will close six schools to cover a $42 million budget shortfall as San Francisco's superintendent declares "We must have fewer schools than we do now."

‘Talking Out of School’ podcast: ‘The most complicated budget year ever’

Superintendents and school boards are solidifying their spending plans as ESSER expires and other financial pressures mount, says Marguerite Roza, director of the Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University.

States with the highest support for public schools: No. 1 may surprise you

Support for public schools means more than just funding. A new ranking also considers vouchers, curriculum restrictions and other factors.

A confusing year results in drastic declines in FAFSA submissions

Nearly 57% fewer high school seniors have submitted a new FAFSA form compared to last year's numbers. Could delays and technological errors be to blame?

Do you know the top 3 ways schools are using up ESSER funds?

Despite recent positive signs of academic recovery, the plans that administrators have for spending the rest of their ESSER funds prove some students are still struggling.

Here are the brightest spots in enrollment’s rocky recovery

Public school enrollment rebounds in higher grades but continues to lag among younger students, and remains behind 2019 levels, newly released data shows.