Operations

Special Education

Nebraska invested in having special education students learn alongside their peers — and is seeing promising results

“Kids don’t earn their way into a general ed classroom. That’s where they belong." One state is reimagining education for kids with disabilities.

Kindergarteners play during center time at Westmoor Elementary in Scottsbluff, Neb. Teachers at the school spend time planning together to make sure they are all taking ownership and supporting students with disabilities. Credit: Jackie Mader/The Hechinger Report

LAUSD sees 'major gains' in fight against chronic absenteeism – but problem persists

“Our approach is we support; we’re not about penalizing." Attendance is rising in LAUSD after new initiatives and a push for at-home visits, says Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.

Superintendent Alberto Carvalho speaks with the parent of an absent student during an at-home visit May 21st, as part of the district's efforts to curb chronic absenteeism. (Jacob Matthews)

K–12 leaders love the four-day school week, but a new study shows that it doesn’t do what they hope

Research from Missouri reveals that dropping a day of instruction doesn’t improve teacher retention.

Over the last 15 years, the proportion of Missouri schools and districts operating on a four-day week has exploded, now enrolling 12 percent of all K-12 students in the state. (CALDER)

Starting smart: Take advantage of the beginning of summer break

The first week after students leave is actually one of the most valuable weeks of the entire school year.

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AASA releases crisis response and support toolkit for district leaders

The toolkit includes a checklist, a crisis team development template, and a crisis communications resource

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School Climate and Culture

AASA research report provides mental health and wellness strategies for superintendents

The report offers strategies superintendents can use to safeguard their own mental health, while also promoting mental health for students and staff

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Out-of-School Time

Report: Out-of-school programs play an outsized role in child development

After school and summer programs can enhance academic motivation and increase school attendance, but face access, funding and workforce challenges.

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What’s the best way to measure a school’s quality? 5 factors to consider

More than test scores, a comprehensive set of research-based metrics would provide a richer understanding of a school's success.

School Buildings

Philadelphia school district under federal investigation for asbestos monitoring

The situation highlights an ongoing challenge for the district; schools in Philly are an average of 73 years old, and some 300 buildings contain asbestos.

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Teaching and Learning

More schools are adopting a 4-day school week. One Montana town tried to fight it

Rural districts consider 4-day school weeks a way to lure teachers, but research shows they might not work for student learning.

Parent Jason Breckenridge, pictured here with his wife Megan, sued Montana’s Florence-Carlton school district over its plans to shift to a four-day school week. They felt the school district disregarded negative aspects of the shortened week. (Credit: Sarah Mosquera for The Hechinger Report)

Teacher turnover spiked during COVID. But it’s now fallen for 2 years in a row.

Rural and low-income schools and special ed are still suffering. But state documents and research reports shows consistent patterns overall.

Teacher Turnover Rates By States

Cleveland ends year-round schooling, citing no meaningful gains after 15 years

Other states and school districts are still using the strategy, which aims to stop the ‘summer slide.’

Israel Collazo, a student at Davis Aerospace and Maritime High School, one of a few Cleveland schools with a year-round schedule protests the district’s decision last month to end summer classes. (Rueben Bell)

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