School Leadership

Learn more about the work of school-level leaders including principals, assistant principals, and other administrators

Column

The Principal Is In: Advice for Principals
In a biweekly Education Week column, experienced principals and other school leadership experts offer advice for their peers.
Principal pointing out a teacher on a board with a classroom drawn on it. When we prepare principals, we often focus on the instructional side of the job at the expense of the people-management side.
Dan Page for Education Week
School & District Management Opinion We’re Not Preparing Principals for the Real Job of School Leadership
A shocking amount of school leadership is not about students. It is about adults.
Meagan Booth, March 27, 2026
4 min read
Sign on door that reads "Principal's Office" from a school.
Liz Yap/Education Week with E+
School & District Management Principal Turnover Went Down in This State. But That’s Not the End of the Story
North Carolina lowered its principal attrition rate. Those who stay report working conditions haven’t changed.
Olina Banerji, March 26, 2026
6 min read
A principal reads to an excited group of children, building community
Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Canva
School & District Management Opinion 'When Are You Coming to Read to Our Class?': How a Principal Makes Time for Joy
When this elementary school leader began scheduling read-alouds, he noticed an immediate change.
Ian Knox, March 24, 2026
4 min read
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From left, Alicia Simba, a transitional kindergarten teacher; Eric Lewis, a science teacher; Vito Chiala, a principal; Chris Hoffman, a school superintendent; and moderator Diana Lambert of EdSource appear on a panel during the State of Teaching discussion in San Francisco on March 19, 2026. The administrators and classroom educators spoke of what it takes to boost teacher morale.
Andrew Reed/EdSource
Teaching Profession 'Treated as a Professional': How District and School Leaders Can Boost Teacher Morale
California educators talked about the support they need at an event hosted by Education Week and EdSource.
Ileana Najarro, March 20, 2026
5 min read
President Ronald Reagan addresses the National Association of Secondary School Principals convention in front of an old fashion red school house, background, Feb. 7, 1984 in Las Vegas, Nev. Standing behind Reagan are NASSP officials.
President Ronald Reagan addresses the National Association of Secondary School Principals convention in front of an old fashion red school house, background, Feb. 7, 1984 in Las Vegas, Nev. Standing behind Reagan are NASSP officials.
Doug Pizac/AP
School & District Management Q&A Meet the National Principals Association: Why the 110-Year-Old Org. Rebranded
Elementary school leaders will add new priorities for the national organization.
Olina Banerji, March 17, 2026
6 min read
Successful male and female in leadership achieve target. Embracing success confidence holding winner flag on top of mountain peak.
Education Week + iStock/Getty
School & District Management How Top Principals Are Improving Schools Across the Country
Principals must empower student and teacher voices.
Olina Banerji, March 13, 2026
7 min read
Image of a school hallway with students moving.
iStock/Getty
School & District Management How Assistant Principals Build Stronger School Communities
From middle to high school, assistant principals share what they've done to increase engagement and better student behavior.
Jennifer Vilcarino, March 11, 2026
7 min read
Image of a group of students meeting with their teacher. One student is giving the teacher a high-five.
Laura Baker/Education Week via Canva
School Climate & Safety What 3 Top Principals Do So Students Feel Like They Belong at School
Principals use belonging, mentorship, and creative incentives to boost attendance.
Olina Banerji, March 10, 2026
5 min read
Allowing for vulnerability while leading a team.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Canva
School & District Management Opinion My Surgeon Gave Me a Lesson in School Leadership
When a personal health issue forced me to get vulnerable with my staff, I learned a lot from my doctor.
Sarah Whaley, March 10, 2026
3 min read
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
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School & District Management Sponsor
From Balcony to Dance Floor: How District Leaders Rebuild Belonging in Times of Uncertainty
District leaders must balance strategy and connection to rebuild belonging, strengthen staff culture, and drive student success.
Content provided by National University
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School & District Management Opinion School Leaders Must Protect Their Own Well-Being. Here Are the 3 Areas to Watch
Principals are under enormous stress. Don’t downplay it.
Michael Nelson & Peter DeWitt, March 8, 2026
4 min read
Damon Lewis.
"We're going to get to the standards ... but we have to make sure that our kids feel safe enough to come into our building," said Damon Lewis, the principal for Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy in Norwalk, Conn., and the National Middle Level Principal of the Year in 2025.
Allyssa Hynes/NASSP/NASSP via reporter
School Climate & Safety Q&A This Principal Puts Relationships Ahead of Content. Here’s How
A school leader discusses how he and his staff create a safe and supportive learning environment.
Lauraine Langreo, March 6, 2026
5 min read
Image with icons for "i" information, email, eye for "watch", and locks.
Collage via Canva
Privacy & Security How School Leaders Can Combat Rising Cyber Threats
Continuous training and student engagement can be key in protecting schools.
Olina Banerji, March 5, 2026
4 min read
Teaching Profession Download Insights for School Leaders: How to Better Support Teachers
EdWeek's downloadable guide offers tips to principals on how to improve the morale and working conditions of educators.
Sean Cavanagh, March 4, 2026
1 min read