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 This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: school & district management, district leadership, and school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.
Law & Courts
Alabama School Secession Plan Motivated By Race, NAACP Argues
Lawyers representing the black families opposed to the split, argued that the decision could lead to resegregation of a district with a history of intentionally separating white and black students.
School Choice & Charters
Charter Principals Are More Diverse (and Other Highlights From New Federal Data)
The latest federal survey of the nation's K-12 principals shows that people in the career work long hours, the majority of them are women, most are white, and their average salary is $95,700.
School & District Management
'There's No Greater Ally to a Pediatrician Than an Educator'
Flint, Mich., schools Superintendent Bilal Tawwab has taken the lead on several measures to ensure the crisis wouldn't stand in the way of education for the 5,000-plus students under his care
School & District Management
Newark Is One Step Closer to Getting Back Control of Its Schools
After more than two decades, the New Jersey department of education says it plans to give Newark control of the city's school system.
School & District Management
The School District Where Principals Also Teach
Principals who also teach are a long tradition in a rural Maryland school system, where teachers and school leaders alike attest to the benefits. But some education leadership experts argue the double duty wouldn't work in all schools.
Federal
Three Ex-Education Secretaries Have Schools Named for Them. Could It Happen for Betsy DeVos?
Three former U.S. education secretaries have K-12 schools named for them. Could the current secretary, Betsy DeVos, ever join the club?
School & District Management
In Chicago, Enrollment Decline and Funding Uncertainties Lead to Smaller School Budgets
The district expects its schools' budgets for the next school year to be smaller than the current year, in part because of projected decline in student enrollment and loss of federal funds.
School & District Management
Principals Fought Hard for Their Share of Federal Money. Now Trump and Congress Might Take It Away.
The associations representing the nation's primary and secondary school principals call the possible elimination of $2 billion in federal funds that support teachers and school leaders "unconscionable."
School & District Management
$125,000 Salary to Serve on a School Board? In Los Angeles, Yes.
Most school board members across the country receive no compensation for their service, according to a 2010 report.
Standards & Accountability
Principals Often Shy Away From Giving 'True' Teacher Evaluations
Teachers often receive "effective" and "highly effective" ratings on high-stakes evaluations even when their principals admit behind closed doors that they're "very ineffective," a new study finds.
School & District Management
Deal Will Give New York City Mayor Two-Year Extension on Mayoral Control
New York lawmakers, who were called back to Albany for a special session, are likely to approve a measure that will give New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio a two-year extension to run New York City's schools.
Education
Pressure Mounts on School District to Prove It Didn't Cheat on Graduation Rates
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is calling for an investigation after school board members in Prince George's County alleged that local education officials changed the grades and records of some students in order to boost the district's graduation rate.
School & District Management
Standoff Continues: Will Mayor Keep Control of New York City's Schools?
New York state lawmakers adjourned the legislative session late Wednesday without extending the mayoral control law, which would allow New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to continue to oversee the country's largest school system.
School & District Management
Districts Can Build a Stronger Bench of Principals for Relatively Low Costs
A new report from The RAND Corporation on districts that are participating in the Wallace Foundation's Principal Pipeline Initiative found that districts in the initiative spent an average of $31,000 per principal, or $42 per pupil, annually on pipeline-related programs.