District Dossier
The District Dossier blog explored issues behind leading and managing the nation’s schools and school districts and provided analysis of trends, controversies, and good ideas in school and district leadership. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: school & district management, district leadership, and school leadership.
School & District Management
Trial Set for 2020 in Long-Running Pennsylvania School Funding Lawsuit
The lawsuit, filed in 2014, alleges that the state was severely underfunding schools, forcing school districts to lean heavily on property taxes, which especially disadvantages students in property-poor areas.
Education
Chicago Teachers Union Endorses County Board President For Mayor
The teachers' union is throwing its support behind Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle in the race to replace Rahm Emanuel as Chicago's mayor, the Chicago Tribune reports.
School & District Management
Toxic Substances Found in School Supplies, According to Report
The U.S. PIRG Education Fund, a public-interest research group, tested 27 products commonly used by schoolchildren. They found toxic substances in crayons, markers, and binders.
School Choice & Charters
Indianapolis Superintendent Lewis Ferebee to Lead D.C. Schools
In Indianapolis, Ferebee focused on forging partnerships with charter schools leaders and establishing school choice-friendly policies, including a common-enrollment system for all the city's students. That approach may be tailor-made for D.C., where half of public K-12 students are enrolled in charters.
Education
Alaska Earthquake Cancels School for Thousands; Students in Paradise, Calif., Go Back to Class
As school leaders in Anchorage, Alaska, work to assess earthquake damage to their schools, students in Paradise, Calif., returned to school on Monday, nearly three weeks after the Camp Fire damaged or destroyed all but one school.
Education
Harold O. Levy, Former New York City Schools Chief, Dead at 65
Levy, a Wall Street lawyer who had never worked as an educator, more recently served as executive director of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, which supports expanding educational opportunities for high-achieving, low-income students.
Education
Students and School Staff Host 'Community' Thanksgiving in Hurricane-Ravaged Florida Panhandle
Students and volunteers in Panama City cooked about 5,000 pounds of turkey—along with ham, pies and other traditional side dishes—for a "community" Thanksgiving dinner at Jinks Middle School.
School & District Management
Memphis Superintendent Dorsey Hopson Leaving to Join Healthcare Company
Hopson became the interim superintendent in Shelby County, Tenn., in 2013 after the Memphis City School system merged with Shelby County schools. That merger then led six suburban communities to break away from the merged school system to form their own school districts.
Education
Educators Scramble to Find Schools for Thousands of Students Whose District Was Destroyed by Fire
Schools in Butte County, which includes 14 school districts and 18 charter schools, are closed through Dec. 3.
Student Well-Being & Movement
As They Fled Fire, Teachers Feared They Would Die in Cars With Their Students
In the face of raging fires in California, students and staff have been forced to close schools and evacuate.
School & District Management
A Principal's 4,800-Mile Road Trip to Visit Other Schools. What Did He Learn?
Eric Cardwell logged nearly 5,000 miles on the road, visiting schools from Michigan's Upper Peninsula to Warner Robins, Ga. to learn about principals' challenges and successes.
Education
Four Principals Win Seats in Oklahoma's Statehouse
In a state where dozens of teachers and other educators mounted campaigns for the state legislature, at least four principals captured seats.
School & District Management
Principal-Prep Programs Adapting to Meet Real-World Demands of Job, Study Finds
Seven universities are making major changes to how they train future principals, as part of $48.5 million Wallace Foundation initiative to redesign university-based principal-preparation programs, according to a new report from RAND.
School & District Management
Longtime Miami Superintendent, Who Almost Left for N.Y.C., Chosen as Urban Superintendent of the Year
ALberto Carvalho has led the Miami-Dade school system for the last 10 years, but he made headlines earlier this year when he accepted the chancellor job in New York City and later backed out.