It seems counterintuitive to think that artificial intelligence can help teachers reach children in the classroom more effectively. After all, what could be more distinctively human than lighting that flame of learning inside a child’s mind? And who better to coach a teacher on what works than another human? The short answer is no one....

I remember the sting like it was yesterday; the moment a school psychologist sat across from me during my daughter’s IEP, looked me straight in the eye, and said, “Mrs. O’Leary, you might as well accept the fact that your daughter will never be a rocket scientist.”  As I sat motionless and fearful, she pointed...

Every March since 1998, the National Education Association has used its Read Across America initiative to promote literacy and encourage a love of reading among children. It’s a wonderful program that features guest readers, book scavenger hunts and character dress-up days to bring stories to life. Amid the celebration and fanfare, though, the nation must...

In my District of Columbia neighborhood, everything pretty much ground to a halt on Friday, March 13, 2020. My kid won the school’s bilingual spelling bee in a crowded auditorium buzzing with speculation that the school probably wasn’t reopening next week. Hours later, an announcement from administrators confirmed it: our pandemic had begun. By March...

Well-prepared, well-supported school and district leaders can make incredible differences in student success. Schools and districts need capable administrators for both the challenges they face today and what lies ahead tomorrow.  High-quality leadership pipeline programs can supply exactly these kinds of professionals.  In California’s Long Beach Unified School District, that fact is being proven every...

Black History Month. It’s easy to celebrate, but harder to take action that demonstrates your commitment to who and what you celebrate.  Two years ago the Los Angeles Unified School Board demonstrated its commitment to Black students, educators and families by passing the Black Student Excellence Through Educator Diversity, Preparation, and Retention Resolution. The resolution...

As the leader of a majority-Black school in the heart of Brooklyn, I raise my hand in enthusiastic support of Black History Month. It’s a vital platform to reflect on the phenomenal contributions of Black individuals throughout history, igniting conversations and inspiring future generations. Yet, while February provides a powerful spotlight, it shouldn’t be the...

February is National Career and Technical Education Month, an opportunity to consider how CTE helps young people flourish and reach their potential. Two facts should guide this reflection. First, the K-12 college-for-all model of recent decades does not serve the aspirations and needs of all young people. Second, Americans want opportunity pluralism, believing that many...

At first blush, it was just another Friday evening iPhone ding — probably another notification from our school about new construction requiring changes to the pickup protocols or something about school photos. Nothing urgent to see here. But as I shuffled our preschooler upstairs, there was another, and then another, until it formed a steady...

Last year, the landscape of K-12 education transformed as a record-breaking 20 states expanded school choice options. However, that is not the only school choice story to come out of 2023. As the nation steps into 2024, a fresh emphasis on innovation has emerged, along with new options for families. This is particularly true within the realm...