Caitlynn Peetz Stephens is a reporter for Education Week who covers school district leadership and management. Prior to working at Education Week, she covered local education in Maryland and South Dakota.
Monique Darrisaw-Akil, center, superintendent of the Uniondale district in New York, traveled to Ghana in July to meet with leaders of the Achinakrom school. Students from two elementary schools in the Uniondale district and the Achinakrom school worked on a shared literacy project throughout the 2024-25 academic year, and leaders plan to continue the partnership this year.
Ashley Perkins, a 2nd-grade teacher in Dummerston, Vt., writes a "welcome back" message for her students in her classroom on Aug. 22, 2025. Chronic absenteeism has trended down some in recent years, but remains at elevated levels, creating a challenge for schools as the 2025-26 school year starts.
Parents await news during an active shooter situation at the Annunciation Church in Minneapolis on Aug. 27, 2025. This is the first school shooting of the new academic year.
Vera Triplett, the CEO and founder of Noble Minds Institute for Whole Child Learning, right, walks with Amber Powell, a 1st grade teacher, on Aug. 6, 2025. The school, located in the East Carrollton neighborhood of New Orleans, will convert to a private, independent school this school year.
Chanel Ferran Gutierrez, a 10th grade student at Newcomer Academy, prepares to be vaccinated during a pop-up immunization clinic in the school's library in Louisville, Ky., on Aug. 8, 2024. Sagging student vaccination rates and the highest volume of measles cases in years have prompted fears of outbreaks once students are back in school.
Wilmer Chavarria, the superintendent of schools in Winooski, Vt., at home in Williston, Vt., on July 30, 2025. He was recently detained for five hours by border agents after a trip to visit family in Nicaragua.
Instructional coach Kristi Tucker posts notes during a team meeting at Ford Elementary School in Laurens, S.C., on March 10, 2025. Professional development is one area many districts say they'll cut if the Trump administration continues to withhold billions of dollars in federal school funds.
Houston's appointed school board takes a vote during a meeting on Sept. 7, 2023 in the district's central office. A number of studies from recent years have answered questions about school boards' makeup, how competitive board elections are, whether conflict is on the rise, and more.
A man walks to submit his ballot for the 2021 school board elections at Canyon Lake Senior Center on June 8, 2021 in Rapid City. New research shows that incumbents in local school board races run for reelection in uncontested races most of the time.
Jane Hodgdon stands with her dog Maxine while touring Shelby County Public Schools’ Magic School Bus summer program on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Simpsonville, Ky. After an abrupt end to her 25-year career at the U.S. Department of Education, Hodgdon embarked on a road trip to visit schools and educators she had worked with during her time at the federal agency.