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 This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: school & district management, district leadership, and school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.
Budget & Finance
Where Are the Nation's 'Most Productive' School Districts?
Reports from a progressive think tank suggest changes in state policy could help districts get more bang for their buck.
School & District Management
N.Y.C. Proposes New Requirements for Superintendents
Tuesday's announcement included news of a $750,000 grant from the Wallace Foundation to train superintendents as principal supervisors.
School & District Management
Philadelphia District and Teachers' Union Locked in Dispute Over Seniority
The dispute is taking place amid a growing national debate about teacher tenure rules. The district says it needs flexibility in making hiring and firing decisions, and tenure rules sometimes mean that new, committed teachers are let go in order to keep veteran teachers. The union says the district's policy violates its contract.
School & District Management
Sacramento City District Poised to Hire Seattle's Superintendent
Seattle Superintendent José Banda, a career educator in California, says he is the finalist for the schools chief job in Sacramento City Unified.
School & District Management
Advice for Districts on 'Recalibrating' Principals' Roles in Schools
The Center for American Progress' report on principals is the latest to look at the support and resources principals need to do their job well as their responsibilities keep expanding.
School & District Management
New Leadership at the Council of the Great City Schools
California educators chosen to help steer the group, which represents the interests of the nation's largest urban school districts.
Education
New York City Announces $23 Million More to Expand Arts Programs in 2014-2015
The money will go toward hiring up to 120 new certified arts teachers; upgrading arts facilities and developing partnership programs with New York City Arts Institutions.
Budget & Finance
With No State Budget Signed, Philadelphia Awaits Word on School Funds
The state fiscal year in Pennsylvania began without a budget signed by the governor, but the Philadelphia school district is hoping its city will get permission to impose a $2-a-pack tax on cigarettes to help fund its struggling schools.
School & District Management
Proposal to Rate Leadership Programs Has Principals' Groups 'Concerned'
The National Association of Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Secondary School Principals said they support many of the provisions included in the draft of the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. The changes, they said, made positive strides towards supporting principals and improving the nation's education system.
School & District Management
Newark Schools Superintendent Signs New 3-Year Contract
Under the "hybrid" contract, Anderson and the state must agree to an extension each year. Anderson has come under fire recently for her "One Newark" school reform plan.
Education Funding
Three Fellowships Awarded to Create 'Innovation' Public Schools in Indianapolis
The winners of the "Innovation School Fellowship" proposed a Montessori-style K-12 school, a blended learning K-6 school, and another design that heavily focuses on entrepreneurship and student engagement.
School & District Management
Chicago Schools to Cut 1,100 Positions; Half Are Teachers
Steadily declining enrollment in the nation's third largest school system has prompted officials there to reduce both teaching and nonteaching staff members.
School & District Management
Why Good Principals Are Hard to Find and Keep
A new report from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute examines principal hiring practices in five urban districts and finds that more strategic recruitment and heftier compensation are needed to improve the ranks of K-12 leadership.
School & District Management
Student Transfer Issue Continues To Roil Missouri Districts
Gov. Jay Nixon delivers on a promise to veto a bill that would have created a voucher program for students who attend unaccredited districts.