School leaders face challenges when teachers and staff resist change, but most resistance stems from genuine concerns rather than ulterior motives, Ronald Williamson and Barbara Blackburn write. Leaders should address negative behavior by understanding its root causes and taking steps such as providing direct feedback, explaining consequences and documenting interactions, they write.

Some decisions, like choosing what to eat for dinner, are easy, but others fill us with dread, such as quitting a job, accepting a new job or making financial decisions, which are the top dreaded activities according to a survey from the University of Zurich. Researchers say they expected health or travel-related fears to be most prevalent, but say the top dreaded decisions have remained stable, even after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rutgers University has begun the Preparation of Administrators in Special Education program, which is funded by a $3.75 million federal grant. The program aims to address rising autism rates by providing scholarships for special-ed teachers to earn doctorates and advance to leadership roles.

This year, 50% of teachers have participated in at least one professional development session on artificial intelligence, marking a significant increase from 42% just a year ago and 13% in 2023, according to a national EdWeek Research Center survey. The rise highlights school districts' efforts to ensure teachers are better equipped to use and understand AI in their daily work, and experts note that the growth reflects a broader acceptance of AI as it becomes more integrated into classroom tools.

Nebraska schools are in the early stages of data science education, with only seven schools offering lessons or full programs, a report from Data Science 4 Everyone shows. The report highlights the importance of expanding data science education, especially as artificial intelligence grows, and suggests integrating data science into existing subjects such as math and science because of budget constraints.

A Partnership for Student Success survey conducted with Rand reveals that more than 400,000 adults have become involved in tutoring, mentoring and wraparound support for students since the pandemic, but just 20% to 30% of school principals say most students receive needed support. More than half of principals cite funding and staffing as barriers.

The most transformative uses of AI won’t simply automate old systems—they’ll reimagine assessment to be continuous, multimodal, and deeply human. Read more from AI and technology executive Narmeen Makhani in the latest issue of EL magazine.

In the November issue of Educational Leadership, Torrey Trust and Robert Maloy from the College of Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst share five steps to boosting authentic engagement and reducing students’ overreliance on AI shortcuts.