1️⃣ Student Engagement
Districts seeing real gains are focusing on four core strategies with families:
Build strong teacher-family relationships. Encourage ongoing communication so parents feel comfortable reaching out before attendance issues grow.
Help parents uncover the “why” behind absences. Listen for root causes like stress or social challenges instead of focusing on blame.
Reframe how families talk about school. Emphasize belonging and opportunity rather than compliance.
Celebrate consistency, not perfection. Recognize steady progress and persistence instead of flawless attendance.
When schools lead with compassion and connection, families are more likely to make showing up a daily habit.
2️⃣ Leadership Insights
The most effective superintendents aren’t the loudest; they’re the most transparent. Trust is earned by showing up, speaking clearly, and being honest about what they know and what they don’t. Short video messages, school visits, and regular parent updates help communities see the person behind the title.
3️⃣ Success Spotlight
At AASA’s Real Skills for Real Life Summit, educators shared how schools are embedding collaboration, communication, and adaptability into everyday instruction. Leaders stressed that these are not “soft skills” but essentials that help students thrive beyond academics. Districts like Lake Forest (IL) are using Portrait of a Learner frameworks, family partnerships, and student voice to guide this work and keep it evolving with real-world needs.
4️⃣ Teaching & Learning
Educators say creating trauma-informed classrooms starts with empathy and trust. Teachers can build safety by forming strong relationships, setting clear routines, and giving students space to calm down and recover. Practical strategies include using restorative conversations, planning ahead for emotional triggers, and weaving resilience into daily lessons. Experts remind educators to care for themselves, too, since supporting students through trauma takes patience and reflection.
5️⃣ Research Review
New research finds that tutoring works best when it’s part of a larger effort to strengthen instruction and relationships. The most successful programs pair students with consistent tutors several times a week, creating trust that boosts learning and engagement. Beyond recovery, tutoring is helping schools build stronger connections and inspire future teachers.
New NWEA data shows K-8 students are regaining ground in math but not in reading. The analysis of MAP Growth scores from 7 million students finds modest math gains across all groups, while reading progress has flatlined. Researchers urge districts to sustain math momentum and apply similar strategies to accelerate literacy recovery.
6️⃣ Policy Watch
A federal judge paused the Trump administration’s plan to fire nearly half of the U.S. Education Department’s staff amid the ongoing shutdown after unions sued, arguing the layoffs violate federal law and exceed the administration’s authority.
A new Gallup poll shows that only 35% of U.S. adults are satisfied with K–12 education overall, the lowest level since 1999. Yet 74% of parents say their own child’s school is doing a good job. Researchers say this gap comes from two things: a belief that the national system can’t be fixed and growing political polarization, where opinions about schools are shaped more by party identity than by actual performance.
7️⃣ Quick Hits
[Student Surveillance Raises New Privacy Concerns] Schools are using AI tools like Gaggle and GoGuardian to monitor student activity and flag safety risks, but critics say these systems often misinterpret context and unfairly target certain groups. Researchers warn that round-the-clock monitoring can limit what students feel comfortable exploring and may increase data sharing with police. Experts urge districts to set clear privacy rules, review contracts closely, and include students in policy decisions.
[Mentorship Networks Help Close College Guidance Gaps] With counselor shortages leaving many students without personalized support, mentorship programs are stepping in to fill the gap. Networks like College Link pair high schoolers, especially first-generation students, with alumni who guide them through applications, financial aid, and career paths. Schools can use this model to build their own mentoring communities and make college access more equitable.
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