1️⃣ Leadership Insights
Leadership shortages, teacher retention and student engagement top superintendents’ concerns this fall. Districts are trying to rebuild trust through coaching and PD, support teachers with clearer pathways and workload relief, and re-engage students with stronger relationships and more inquiry-driven learning. The common thread is creating conditions where adults and students feel supported and seen.
2️⃣ AI in Schools
A new study finds that AI math tutors paired with human oversight outperformed human tutors alone, helping students solve new problems more accurately with almost no hallucinations. The advantage came from feeding the AI detailed, personalized learning data so it could adapt its support. Researchers say this approach could scale high-quality tutoring while keeping humans ready to step in when needed.
3️⃣ Teaching & Learning
A new piece argues that schools often chase visible engagement like busy classrooms, lots of talk, and student-led activities, even though these signals rarely show whether real learning is happening. Research points instead to cognitive engagement, which grows from focused thinking, challenge, and moments of success that build durable understanding. Teachers can support this by modeling concepts step by step, giving students structured practice, and offering timely feedback rather than relying on activity to signal learning.
4️⃣ EdTech
Districts now use more than 2,700 edtech tools a year, yet most purchases still hinge on price instead of evidence of learning gains. Outcomes-based contracting offers a way for districts to buy what works while providers commit to the training and support needed to get results. With tight budgets and limited proof of effectiveness, the push is to stop paying for features and start paying for impact.
5️⃣ Future Ready
Putnam County, FL, raised its graduation rate from 55 to 92 percent by grounding its college and career readiness work in community voice. Leaders built CTE programs aligned to local industry, secured employer support and created a Portrait of a Graduate that blends technical and soft skills. Leaders say the key is staying open, engaging stakeholders and aligning programs to the jobs students will actually step into.
6️⃣ Policy Watch
States have passed a wave of new literacy laws, but the message is clear: policy alone won’t move reading outcomes. Schools need early screening, structured literacy training for every teacher and consistent instruction across all tiers to ensure students get the support they need. The push now is to pair legislation with strong implementation, real accountability and close collaboration with families.
7️⃣ Final Findings
A new EdWeek survey shows districts want long-term, strategic budgeting but get tripped up by funding uncertainty, siloed decisions and constant staff turnover. Leaders say federal cuts are hitting tech refresh cycles and PD budgets hard, and most expect regular federal funding to drop in the next two years. The report points to solutions like outcomes-based contracts, earlier goal-setting, better data use and promoting from within to keep academic and financial priorities aligned.
📤 Found Pulse K–12 helpful? Share the page with a colleague to help them keep a pulse on education too.