District Dossier
The District Dossier blog explored issues behind leading and managing the nation’s schools and school districts and provided analysis of trends, controversies, and good ideas in school and district leadership. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: school & district management, district leadership, and school leadership.
Equity & Diversity
Selective Virginia Public High School to Drop Standardized Admissions Test
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will see a new test-free admissions process by November, district leaders say.
Education
What the Congressional Stalemate Over Relief Aid Means for Districts' Budgets
The longer Congress waits to provide districts with fiscal relief, the more sizeable the budget cuts will be for districts this year.
Equity & Diversity
New School Integration Coalition to Forge Bonds Between Districts, Housing Groups
The Bridges Collaborative, convened by the Century Foundation, will connect housing and schooling groups that want more racial and economic diversity in schools.
Equity & Diversity
Despite Push, Few Schools Have Dropped Confederate Names
An Education Week analysis shows that 5 percent of the nation's Confederate-named schools have been renamed since June.
Education
6 Ways Central Office Can Help Principals Lead Through the COVID-19 Crisis
Principals are on the front lines of navigating the biggest disruption to schooling in a generation. Here's how district administrators can help them do it.
Accountability
GreatSchools' Ratings Revamp Credits Schools for Boosting Academic Growth
The schools rating website gives heavier weight to schools that are making strong academic growth and supporting historically disadvantaged students.
Education
Reopening America's Schools: A Snapshot of What It Looked Like in 2020-21
Education Week's 900+ sample of districts shows that large urban school systems favored remote learning and and that there were significant delays to the start of the year in at least a quarter of districts in the collection.
School Climate & Safety
Testing All Students and Staff for COVID-19. The Key to Full Opening of All Schools?
Los Angeles Unified will test all staff members and students for COVID-19 before fully reopening and will conduct periodic testing afterward. Will other large districts follow suit?
Education
Tens of Thousands of Students in Texas Dropped Out of Remote Learning, Analysis Shows
Thousands of Texas students either didn't engage in remote learning at all last spring, or stopped doing so well before the school year ended, a new analysis shows, and similar patterns are likely nationwide.
School & District Management
Why School Leaders Are Considering an Early Exit: One Principal's Take
The coronavirus pandemic is making some principals question how long they'll be able to hang on.
Education
Are All-Remote Districts Really Saving That Much Money This Fall?
While remote learning is significantly cheaper than in-person learning, districts are being bombarded by unexpected costs, from professional development and office supplies to postage.
School & District Management
In Unprecedented Times, Which School Leaders Stand Out? Tell Us. Nominate The Next Leaders To Learn From
A superintendent committed to long-term English learners. A project manager working to revamp student-teaching. A district supervisor focused on making teacher evaluations work. Education Week reporters share their favorite honorees.
School Climate & Safety
Indiana Teachers Sue Law Enforcement Over 'Active Shooter' Simulation
The teachers say they've suffered emotional distress and anxiety for months after being shot at with plastic bullets in a voluntary active-shooter drill in 2019.
Education
Districts Lay Off Thousands of Paraprofessionals as Students Switch to Remote Learning
With looming budget cuts and no clear need for teacher aides, administrators are gutting their paraprofessional staff, a move that could have long-term academic consequences.