1️⃣ Leadership Lens
K-12 leaders are under pressure as federal directives on DEI and LGBTQ+ policies shift rapidly under the Trump administration. Some are taking public stances, but many, like Cedar Rapids Superintendent Tawana Grover, are choosing a quieter path by reviewing programs, updating language, and staying mission-aligned while minimizing disruption. The leadership challenge is navigating legal uncertainty without losing sight of what supports students and builds trust in divided communities.
2️⃣ Teaching & Learning
To improve teacher well-being, a school in Illinois adopted monthly “pulse” surveys, asking staff to choose one word to describe how they feel. Powered by the edtech startup Alpaca, these surveys, along with care packages and team-building resources, help school leaders respond to staff needs in real time.
3️⃣ District Spotlight
Facing a 14.2% chronic absenteeism rate, Paramus Public Schools has launched a district-wide plan aimed at reducing absences across all grade levels. Strategies include targeted supports for high-risk student subgroups, a freshman transition program, and attendance-linked senior privileges. Leaders say the plan is a long-term overhaul, not a quick fix, with the goal of driving rates below 10% by fall 2025.
4️⃣ Policy Watch
Attorneys general from 19 states are suing the U.S. Department of Education, claiming its directive to curb DEI programs misinterprets civil rights law and threatens nearly $14 billion in school funding. The lawsuit argues the order is vague, unconstitutional, and designed to pressure states into abandoning lawful DEI efforts.
5️⃣ Quick Hits
[NYC Taps Alumni and Paraprofessionals to Build Teacher Pipeline] Faced with a massive teacher hiring need, NYC is expanding “grow your own” strategies by training high school students and paraprofessionals to become educators. At Brooklyn International High School, 16 alumni now work as staff, and a four-year career pathway is preparing students for education roles. Officials also aim to help the city’s 23,000 paraprofessionals earn teaching credentials more affordably and efficiently.
[4 School Districts Use AI to Boost Personalization, Planning, and Student Support] Districts like Chicago, Miami-Dade, Albuquerque, and Ottawa Catholic are integrating tools like Google Gemini and NotebookLM to streamline planning, generate resources, and personalize instruction. From AI-generated lesson plans and grant writing support to real-time tutoring and curriculum review, educators are finding practical ways to save time and enhance student learning.
[How Districts Are Stabilizing Budgets Amid Declining Enrollment and Rising Costs] Faced with financial strain, districts are taking proactive steps to boost stability by cutting energy costs, modernizing facilities, and forging community partnerships. Examples from South Carolina, Tennessee, and Arizona show how smart investments in infrastructure and energy management can free up millions to reinvest in instruction, staffing, and student support.
6️⃣ Research Recap
Stanford researchers found that just 2–5 hours of student interaction with intelligent tutors or learning games can accurately predict which students will perform in the top or bottom tier on end-of-year assessments. Using machine learning models across tools like iReady and MATHia, the study suggests short-term log data could help educators personalize instruction and intervene earlier, without the need for separate pre-tests.
7️⃣ What’s Next
In oral arguments this week, the Supreme Court appeared sharply divided over whether parents have a constitutional right to opt their children out of LGBTQ+-inclusive lessons in public schools. Justices raised concerns about the implications for parental rights, age-appropriate content, and school authority. The case could set a national precedent, with a ruling expected by late June or early July.
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