Ceres USD in California is expanding its use of SchoolMint, Inc.'s Hero K12 school climate improvement tool to all elementary, middle and high schools beginning with this school year. The digital application supports the use of positive behavior reinforcement and standardized consequences.

School systems are getting results from teacher residencies, which offer more immersive and more rigorous training experiences than the typical student-teaching stint.

Teachers have seen an instant jump in engagement when students are given large-print books. Students want to read longer, feel less nervous about reading and comprehend more of the details.

Students need more diverse leaders heading up districts and state agencies, says guest columnist Susana Cordova, who is superintendent of Denver Public Schools.