District Leadership

Learn more about the work of district-level leaders including superintendents, chief academic officers, and other administrators
2025 EdWeek Leaders To Learn From
We're excited to reveal our 2025 leaders. These district leaders have shown persistence and creativity as they navigate the challenges facing schools in a rapidly changing world.
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School & District Management A Superintendent's Balancing Act Amid Trump's DEI Crackdown
Districts are trying to navigate a dizzying pace of new federal orders and continue working with as little fanfare as possible.
Caitlynn Peetz, April 23, 2025
6 min read
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School & District Management Quiz Quiz Yourself: How Much Do You Know About Marketing To District and School Leaders at Conferences and Trade Shows?
Think you know what catches a K-12 leader’s eye at conferences? Take this quiz and test your marketing savvy.
April 14, 2025
Illustration of two cliffs with a woman on one side and a man on the other. Both of them are holding a half of a cog wheel and bringing the two pieces together to bridge the gap between them.
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School & District Management Q&A The Skills Education Leaders Need to Meet the Moment
Natasha Trivers, CEO of Democracy Prep Public Schools, will be the next leader of the Broad Center at the Yale School of Management.
Evie Blad, April 7, 2025
6 min read
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School & District Management Research Is Shedding New Light on Superintendents to Help Them Succeed
An emerging body of research examining the leaders of the nation's 13,000 school districts is yielding actionable insights.
Caitlynn Peetz, April 2, 2025
6 min read
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School & District Management Quiz Quiz Yourself: When Are District and School Leaders Most Likely to Read Emails?
Wondering when district and school leaders are most likely to check their emails? Take our quick quiz and discover the ideal times to send your messages for better engagement.
April 2, 2025
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
School & District Management Opinion The Trump Administration Is Bullying Educators. We Can Fight Back
As just about every K-12 teacher or administrator knows, going along with a bully only encourages them.
Larry Ferlazzo, March 28, 2025
3 min read
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Equity & Diversity Opinion How Education Leaders Should Respond to the Anti-DEI Crowd
Decades of essential equity-based work is under threat in our schools today, warns Joshua P. Starr.
Joshua P. Starr, March 27, 2025
4 min read
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School & District Management How Superintendents Can Prioritize the Political Part of the Job
The superintendency is increasingly a political role, experts said.
Evie Blad, March 20, 2025
4 min read
Photograph of crime scene tape and school.
F. Sheehan for Education Week / Getty
School Climate & Safety Leading a District After a School Shooting Is Hard. These Superintendents Want to Help
A network of superintendents who've led districts after school shootings plans to support colleagues recovering from similar crises.
Evie Blad, March 18, 2025
4 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
School & District Management Opinion Education Leaders Share Their Ideas for Handling Political Uncertainty
If you lead long enough, chaos will find you. Here's how to manage it.
Larry Ferlazzo, March 13, 2025
8 min read
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School & District Management There's No Escaping It, Superintendents: Your Jobs Are Political
Superintendents can't avoid the political nature of their work. New resources aim to help.
Evie Blad, March 11, 2025
2 min read
David Schuler, executive director of AASA, The School Superintendents Association, speaks at the organization's National Conference on Education on March 6, 2025, in New Orleans.
David Schuler, executive director of AASA, The School Superintendents Association, speaks at the organization's National Conference on Education on March 6, 2025, in New Orleans.
Sandy Huffaker/AASA
School & District Management Q&A Schools Need to Teach the ‘New Basics’ to Prepare Kids for Careers, Leaders Say
A school superintendents group's "Public Education Promise" focuses on preparing students for a changing workforce.
Evie Blad, March 10, 2025
6 min read
Walter Gonsoulin Jr., was named National Superintendent of the Year on March 6, 2025. Gonsoulin is the superintendent of the Jefferson County school district in Alabama.
Walter Gonsoulin Jr. was named National Superintendent of the Year on March 6, 2025, at the National Conference on Education in New Orleans. Gonsoulin is the superintendent of the Jefferson County school district in Alabama.
Courtesy of AASA, The School Superintendents Association
School & District Management 2025 Superintendent of the Year Honored for Building Career-Focused Academies
The newly named superintendent of the year focused on course offerings that could prepare students for local, high-wage jobs.
Caitlynn Peetz, March 7, 2025
2 min read
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School & District Management Quiz Quiz Yourself: How Much Do You Know About The Director of PD Persona?
Directors of Professional Development influence purchasing decisions, but how well do you understand the key factors at play? Test your knowledge of this key buyer persona and see how your results stack up with your peers.
March 3, 2025