The K-12 Dive Awards for 2024

These leaders are achieving excellence through commitments to school culture and community, innovation, and wraparound services for students.

By Roger Riddell • Nov. 27, 2024

District of the Year: Ector County ISD

In the past five years, the Texas district’s investments in staffing and high dosage tutoring are paying off.

By Anna Merod • Nov. 27, 2024

Explore the Trendline➔

Infrastructure & School Operations

With a new presidential administration and potential funding changes on the way, schools face an array of challenges in day-to-day operations. 

By K-12 Dive staff

Superintendent of the Year: Tiffany Anderson, Topeka Public Schools

Over the past eight years, Anderson has reimagined leadership structures, invested in teacher housing initiatives, and kept one foot in the classroom.

By Roger Riddell • Updated Nov. 26, 2024

Principal of the Year: Calvin Hooks, Hyde-Addison Elementary School

The leader of the Washington, D.C., school credits DEI, anti-racist and belonging initiatives for high student performance.

By Kara Arundel • Nov. 25, 2024

4 K-12 funding areas to watch under a 2nd Trump administration

Education experts anticipate changes in fiscal approaches to state grants, special education, school choice and curriculum.

By Kara Arundel • Nov. 21, 2024

Trump names Linda McMahon for education secretary

The choice of the WWE co-founder and former SBA administrator is another out-of-the-box Cabinet selection for the incoming president.

By Kara Arundel • Updated Nov. 20, 2024

Commission on Civil Rights probes special educator shortage

The bipartisan body is expected to issue a report next year that will provide recommendations to Congress and the president.

By Kara Arundel • Nov. 18, 2024

Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

From demand for a cybersecurity pilot to the latest stats on school book bans, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Roger Riddell • Nov. 15, 2024

How school leaders can tap into the Education Department’s AI toolkit

The 74-page document offers implementation resources for K-12 leaders on student data privacy risks, rollout strategy and more.

By Anna Merod • Nov. 15, 2024

3 ways high schools are preparing students for this year’s FAFSA

Last school year's delays to filling out the federal financial aid form are spurring early action to support the class of 2025.

By Kara Arundel • Updated Nov. 13, 2024

Growth and renewal through Inclusive Innovation

Strengthening adolescent writing through student-designed writing groups developed with inclusive innovation.

By Viki M. Young, Ph.D. • Nov. 11, 2024

Special education teacher shortages focus of upcoming federal briefing

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will investigate the federal response to special education teacher shortages.

By Kara Arundel • Nov. 8, 2024

Ransomware is a persistent and growing threat for schools nationwide. Here’s what you need to know.

In a five-part series, we highlight firsthand accounts as well as best practices to shore up cyber defenses.

By Kara Arundel • Nov. 7, 2024

How to use election outcome to teach about regulating emotions

Student support experts recommend schools validate students' emotions and encourage respectful dialogue.

By Kara Arundel • Nov. 6, 2024

3 ways school leaders are promoting unity during a tense election

School culture and student supports are key in administrators' messages to families ahead of 2024 election results.

By Anna Merod • Nov. 5, 2024

Giving students voice and choice: Raising up student leaders to transform teaching and learning

Empowering students to lead transforms education and strengthens school communities.

By Diana Lee, Emma Mills • Nov. 4, 2024

Energy Department program helps school districts decarbonize

Benchmarking and retrofit implementation are among categories in which districts can apply for recognition in the Efficient and Healthy Schools Program.

By Joe Burns • Nov. 1, 2024

4 key strategies for school ransomware prevention and response

Using state and federal supports and embracing a people-first approach are among the most crucial best practices, school district tech leaders say.

By Roger Riddell , Shaun Lucas • Nov. 1, 2024

What Albuquerque Public Schools learned from a cyberattack

The New Mexico school district shored up defenses after a "devastating" 2022 experience and is working with partners to prevent another crisis.

By Kara Arundel , Shaun Lucas • Oct. 29, 2024

School ransomware attacks are on the rise. What can districts do?

Cyberattacks inflict logistical, legal and financial damage on schools — and take an emotional and physical toll on their communities.

By Kara Arundel , Shaun Lucas • Oct. 28, 2024

From isolation to innovation: How superintendents are leading the way through collaboration

This national network of superintendents is breaking down silos to elevate innovative solutions.

By Jillian Doggett, Emma Mills • Oct. 28, 2024

Schools spent $3.2B on conflict over divisive issues in 2023-24

District leaders say hate mail, threats and public information demands are creating financial and emotional burdens for schools.

By Kara Arundel • Oct. 23, 2024

How Philadelphia is accelerating learning recovery with an ambitious 5-year plan

Propelled by impressive academic recovery metrics, Superintendent Tony Watlington has curriculum rollouts, facilities improvements and more on the agenda.

By Roger Riddell • Oct. 22, 2024

Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

From cellphone bans to school staffing, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Roger Riddell • Oct. 18, 2024

74% of schools had trouble filling teacher vacancies this school year

However, the percentage saying they didn’t experience challenges filling vacant teaching and non-teaching roles rose, according to NCES data.

By Naaz Modan • Oct. 17, 2024