Career and technical education is gaining traction as a way to prepare students for jobs without the burden of college debt, but the quality of CTE programs varies significantly. High-quality CTE programs offer structured pathways, work-based learning and partnerships with employers and colleges, while low-quality programs "check the boxes" but often lack alignment with industry standards and fail to provide meaningful skills. Nebraska and Washington state serve as models for effective CTE initiatives.

Students often don't see the relevance of math when it's taught with abstract concepts rather than illustrated with real-life usage, such as a nurse measuring amounts of medicine. When instruction switches to career-based math, students see the connections and are more engaged and less likely to struggle with or fail college algebra -- a typical stumbling block to degree completion, write Victoria Ballerini of the Strong Start to Finish Initiative, Ann Edwards of WestEd and the Carnegie Math Pathways and Katherine Arrington of NCSM: Leadership in Mathematics Education.

Parents play a critical role in improving student literacy outcomes. Bridget K. Cherry, founder and CEO of Cherry Strategies, notes that parents are often excluded from key information loops regarding their children's reading progress and the instructional methods employed at school. By providing parents with regular, accessible updates on literacy instruction, assessment tools and teacher training in the science of reading, schools can empower families to partner more effectively in their children's education. Cherry recommends that schools go beyond minimal compliance and proactively communicate with parents through multiple channels, ensuring that engagement is not an afterthought but a central pillar in literacy improvement efforts.

School districts nationwide are grappling with declining enrollment, prompting creative solutions. In Alabama, lawmakers hope expanding the "Don't Say Gay" law will address this issue, though officials cite factors such as the CHOOSE Act and homeschooling. Maryland's Montgomery County attributes declining enrollment to lower birthrates, expecting a loss of over 6,000 students in six years. Utah faces similar trends, with Superintendent Molly Hart noting demographic shifts and increased school choice. Meanwhile, Florida's Broward County Public Schools faces an $85 million budget deficit following a drop of almost 10,000 students, potentially because of immigration enforcement.

A study by researchers from the National Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics in Morocco highlights the transformative impact of AI, the Internet of Things and human-computer interaction on special education. The study discusses how these technologies enhance accessibility and personalized learning for students with disabilities. However, challenges such as cybersecurity risks and the high cost of assistive tools remain significant barriers, the study notes.

Albany County, N.Y., has started a $3.2 million broadband expansion project to bring internet access to about 1,000 households and businesses in rural areas. The initiative, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, aims to bridge the digital divide, benefiting small businesses, students and families, Daniel McCoy, county executive, says.

On the latest ISTE+ASCD Podcast episode, author and leadership expert Jen Schwanke discusses changes school leaders can make to lift trust levels in school communities—and why this is so critical right now.

The secret to keeping teachers isn’t just higher pay—it’s giving them real decision-making power, says UNESCO’s chief of teacher development Carlos Vargas. Read this exclusive interview in the latest issue of Educational Leadership.

Florida is moving to end decades of childhood vaccination mandates, a decision supported by Gov. Ron DeSantis and Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo. This shift marks a significant policy change in a state that already has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the US, with only about 89% of kindergartners fully vaccinated. The move has sparked concerns about potential increases