After four years as a corporate compliance analyst, Carl Thomas says he decided to pursue a more meaningful career in education six years ago. Thomas, who is now the fourth-grade lead math teacher at KIPP Spark Academy in Newark, N.J., in this interview discusses how he draws from his own challenging school experiences to offer empathy and support to build student confidence, encourage self-advocacy and create an environment for academic and personal growth.

Equitable grading elements, which include no zeros, no late penalties, unlimited retakes and no credit for homework or class participation, are increasingly being implemented in schools, according to a report from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute and RAND Corp. that is based on a national survey of teachers. The report shows that while 36% of teachers have adopted more than one of these policies, only 2% have implemented all of them, with many teachers expressing concerns about the potential negative impact on student achievement, with some suggesting that the policies could lead to a sense of entitlement among students.

The Southington, Conn., school district has launched a summer lunch program at DePaolo Middle School to address rising food insecurity as unpaid meal debt has surged by almost 80% in the past school year. The program, funded by donors and partnerships, provides free lunches to anyone, aiming to destigmatize the need for assistance.

Ravenswood Middle School in West Virginia has launched the Aerospace/Aviation Exploration Pathway, a specialized program designed for eighth-grade students as part of the state Department of Education's "Discover Your Future" initiative. The hands-on course will introduce students to the fundamentals of flight, aviation safety, weather factors and career pathways within the industry.

St. George Municipal School in Maine has unveiled the GRACE Innovation Center, a career and technical education facility adjacent to the school that will provide students in pre-K through eighth grade with hands-on learning in woodworking, metalwork and boatbuilding. This facility is designed to serve as both a local resource and a model for similar initiatives in rural communities nationwide.

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.

Educational leaders should prioritize face-to-face meetings for critical decisions, sensitive situations and relationship-building, writes T.J. Vari, an assistant superintendent in Delaware. Vari explains that digital communication is efficient but lacks the nuance of in-person interactions, which are essential for performance reviews, tough conversations and fostering trust among staff.