School Climate

Get insights into improving school culture and the experiences of students and staff
Collaged illustration of the 3 pillars of reviving school culture. 1. Build bridges with parents, not barriers. 2. Lead teachers with trust and renewal. 3. Inspire student voice, agency, and ownership.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Canva
School & District Management Opinion I Was a Turnaround Principal. Here’s How You Change School Culture
There are three questions that school leaders should ask themselves every day.
Demetria L. Haddock, November 11, 2025
5 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
Equity & Diversity Opinion 'Am I Doing Enough?': Chicago Teachers Share Their Heartache Over ICE Raids
Teachers in Latino areas describe the trauma and economic disruption federal raids are causing.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 7, 2025
8 min read
Sylvelia Pittman stands for a portrait outside of Nash Elementary School in Chicago on Oct. 30, 2025.
Sylvelia Pittman stands for a portrait outside of Nash Elementary School in Chicago on Oct. 30, 2025. She spoke with Education Week about the fears she is grappling with regarding immigration raids and federal agents' increased presence near her school.
Jim Vondruska for Education Week
School Climate & Safety Q&A Inside the Fear at Chicago Schools Amid Federal Immigration Raids
Sylvelia Pittman has never experienced something like the current federal crackdown in her city.
Ileana Najarro, October 31, 2025
5 min read
Jon Becker, upper school history and English teacher, has 9th grader Demetrios Karavedas stand on a chair and apologize for forgetting his book during their 9th grade English class at Boys’ Latin School of Maryland on Oct. 24, 2024 in Baltimore. In a social media poll, teachers weigh in on how they manage student behavior in their own classrooms.
Jon Becker, upper school history and English teacher, has 9th grader Demetrios Karavedas stand on a chair and apologize for forgetting his book during their 9th grade English class at Boys’ Latin School of Maryland on Oct. 24, 2024 in Baltimore. In a social media poll, teachers weigh in on how they manage student behavior in their own classrooms.
Jaclyn Borowski/Education Week
Teaching What’s the Secret to Managing Today’s Classrooms? Teachers Weigh In
Classroom management continues to top teachers' concerns. They weigh in on what helps make it work.
Elizabeth Heubeck, October 28, 2025
2 min read
Student Audreanna Johnson views her cell phone near a cell phone locker at Ronald McNair Sr. High School on Aug. 7, 2025, in Atlanta.
Student Audreanna Johnson views her phone near a cellphone locker at Ronald McNair Sr. High School in Atlanta on Aug. 7, 2025. Principals say cellphone bans are improving student behavior, according to a RAND study.
Mike Stewart/AP
Ed-Tech Policy Why Most Principals Say Cellphone Bans Improve School Climate
Nearly 3 in 4 principals believe banning cellphones has big upsides.
Alyson Klein, October 27, 2025
2 min read
Illustration of woman with stage freight.
iStock
Teaching Opinion My Fear of Public Speaking Makes Me a Better Teacher
Instead of viewing my nervousness as a weakness, I’ve learned it can connect me with my students.
Jewel Benty, October 22, 2025
2 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
Teaching Opinion How These Teachers Are Solving Their Biggest Challenges
Rare is the teacher who doesn't face obstacles. Here are strategies for overcoming some.
Larry Ferlazzo, October 17, 2025
12 min read
Collaged Photo illustration of a new teacher's challenges and how to support them in this stage of their career.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Canva
Recruitment & Retention Opinion How to Make Teachers Want to Stay at Your School
An instructional coach shares five essential practices for teacher retention.
Don Bott, October 14, 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
Equity & Diversity Opinion In Today's Political Climate, Teachers Must Center Empathy
Kwame Sarfo-Mensah offers guidance on how teachers can model courage and leadership for students.
Larry Ferlazzo, October 8, 2025
9 min read
Photo of stressed teacher.
iStock
Teaching Profession How School Leaders Can Help Teachers Avoid Burnout
Administrators share insights on preventing teacher burnout and supporting staff well-being.
Elizabeth Heubeck, October 7, 2025
5 min read
Large Group of diverse people with thoughts.
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
Student Well-Being & Movement Opinion This School Year, Prioritize Youth Mental Health. Here’s How
Especially in rural areas, there's a critical shortage of child mental health care providers.
Steve Bullock, October 1, 2025
4 min read
Education Week opinion letters submissions
Gwen Keraval for Education Week
Equity & Diversity Letter to the Editor Let DEI Thrive: How Agency and Belonging Flourish in Identity Safe Spaces
We can’t afford to let go of diversity, equity, and inclusion, writes an author and educator.
September 26, 2025
1 min read
Singer Taylor Swift, left, and Kansas City Chiefs football player Travis Kelce, front right, take in the third period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers in Sunrise, Fla., on June 12, 2025.
Singer Taylor Swift, left, and Kansas City Chiefs football player Travis Kelce, front right, take in one of the games of the Stanley Cup Final in Sunrise, Fla., on June 12, 2025. Their engagement caused educators in some schools to make an announcement—and others to be grateful for cellphone restrictions.
Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP
School & District Management ‘A 3-Minute Moment of Joy’: How Taylor Swift’s Engagement Brought Class to a Halt
In schools across the country on Tuesday, some administrators stopped class in the early afternoon to broadcast breaking news.
Sarah Schwartz, August 28, 2025
2 min read
A special education teacher helps a student with their work.
E+
Special Education 4 Ways Principals Can Better Support Special Education Teachers
Special education teachers need support from their principals to avoid burnout, says a researcher. Here's how to offer it.
Jennifer Vilcarino, August 21, 2025
3 min read