Student achievement has yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels five years after the onset of COVID-19, according to a report from Curriculum Associates. The report, based on data from more than 11 million K-8 students, shows modest gains in reading, but progress in math is slower, with students still lagging behind 2019 benchmarks by as much as 17 percentage points.

Schools are increasingly demanding evidence-based curriculum to ensure effective student learning, especially in light of the shift toward the science of reading, writes Stacey Black, research manager at Reading Horizons. However, many schools lack the resources to participate in the necessary research, creating a challenge for publishers, and Black suggests a more collaborative research model that is less burdensome for schools, including quick touchpoints, light classroom observations and built-in coaching.

Create aligned autonomy within your teams by combining transparency, alignment to shared goals and iterative feedback, so they can make decisions confidently while staying coordinated with organizational objectives, writes startup advisor Keith Lucas. "Competent leaders of intrinsically motivated teams build systems optimized for team-based creativity, innovation and problem-solving -- systems defined by practices, principles and feedback loops," Lucas writes.

Understood.org has launched a digital platform, Through My Eyes, to help teachers and parents understand what it's like to grow up with a learning disability. The platform features personal stories, real-life simulations and expert tools to dispel misconceptions and create empathy.

A digital divide in AI education is emerging, with affluent schools more likely to offer AI training than those in low-income and rural areas, according to research from Arizona State University. AI4All, a free summer camp at Princeton University, aims to bridge this gap by teaching high-school students from low-income families about AI.

Haverhill School Superintendent Margaret Marotta has proposed using federal funds to purchase a food truck for use as a mobile food pantry and meal delivery system for students. The "Hungry Hillies" truck would also support the high school's culinary program and greenhouse, and the School Committee has approved soliciting bids for the vehicle.

For principals, trust isn’t just earned—it’s practiced daily. From historical roots to present-day realities, author and educator Jen Schwanke shows how trust is built, tested, and sustained in school leadership on the ISTE+ASCD Blog.

To prepare students for a rapidly evolving workforce, our newest teachers have to be confident in their AI knowledge and skills. Learn about the new Transforming Teacher Preparation program, a global initiative that equips future educators with essential AI skills on the ASCD Blog.