For the 50th anniversary of IDEA, read Leading Edge Fellow Heather Gauck's op-ed: "Fulfilling IDEA’s promise often requires more than educators/resources; it demands innovative approaches that adapt to each student’s unique strengths and needs." #IDEA50

In this season of gratitude, we're thankful for the teacher leaders who are working to improve opportunities and outcomes for students.

From Miami to San Diego, schools around the U.S. are seeing big drops in enrollment of students from immigrant families. In many school systems, the biggest factor is that far fewer families are coming from other countries.

The reasons behind chronic absenteeism range, so "we must think innovatively to ensure students are in school so the learning experiences that await them open doors to their futures," Teach Plus Colorado Policy Fellowship alumna Mary Lou Clough writes.

Literacy breakthroughs happen when literacy instruction is intentional, inclusive, and built with bilingual learners in mind. From the classroom of Teach Plus Massachusetts alumna Maria Zak, she shares how we can ensure bilingual students learn to read effectively.

It wasn't until he had a Black male teacher that Teach Plus Texas Fellow Christian Jovel-Arias realized men could be teachers too. That teacher, he said, “shifted my perspective on who can be teachers and the power it holds for you being that teacher.”

Many students are falling behind when it comes to reading. Evidence-based literacy teaching strategies could help, but they're not required in Massachusetts. Teach Plus MA Fellow Jennifer Amento writes about a bill in MA that could change that for students.

Pennsylvania will require schools to adopt evidence-based reading curriculum and train teachers in literacy instruction. “These accountability measures (timelines) are essential,” Teach Plus PA Literacy Coalition Manager Rachael Garnick said.

“I have an impact on children that they can carry with them the rest of their lives." In this week’s NewsBlast: Teach Plus Pennsylvania Senior Policy Fellow Kyle Bender on the need to value early childhood educators. Learn more and subscribe: cm.teachplus.org/t/r-F19A602F...

When literacy instruction is intentional, inclusive, and built with bilingual learners in mind, students are able to learn more effectively. Insights via Teach Plus Massachusetts alumna Maria Zak:

A new Teach Plus Mississippi report, "Moving From Data To Action" outlines how connecting fragmented data across preK-12, higher education, and workforce systems can help Mississippi meet and succeed our postsecondary success goal. Read it here: teachplus.org/news-and-med...

In times of uncertainty within education, it's more important than ever that teachers be influential to key decisions, @teachplusTX alum Jamie Avalos writes. "Leaders should be coming to teachers for guidance on changes and earning buy-in." Read more:

Around the country, many rural schools are contending with a shortage of teacher applicants that has ballooned into a crisis in recent years. Now, some of the levers rural schools have used to boost their teacher recruitment efforts are also disappearing.

AI and art exploration don't have to be adversaries. Leading Edge Fellow Lindsay Johnson selectively incorporates the technology into her classroom to help her students have hands-on art experiences. Read more about how she does it:

Teach Plus Indiana Fellowship alumnus and Senior Writing Fellowship alumnus Ronak Shah has a long history of advocacy. He shares his approach to speaking at public meetings to tell policymakers how policy decisions impact students. Read more:

Leading Edge Fellow Lindsay Johnson emphasizes how art and AI exploration can coexist in the classroom. She shares her framework for incorporating the technology into her classroom:

Bob Chikos, Teach Plus IL alum, shares how Teach Plus has impacted his teacher-advocacy journey: “Teach Plus recognizes that teachers are an important part of the process. We learned how to write op-eds and have meetings with legislators.” Listen here:

K-12 schools are grappling with the expanding use of AI-powered ed-tech tools and most are supporting programs to provide laptops or tablets for all students. Yet less than half of districts direct federal PD funding to technology-related training.

Student voice: More than two dozen student leaders from across the country fanned out across Capitol Hill to advocate for maintaining federal investments in K-12 education that the Trump administration and Republican lawmakers are looking to cut. www.edweek.org/policy-polit...

With uncertainty in Ft. Worth ISD schools, this is the time for teachers to have a seat at the table, Teach Plus Texas alum Jamie Avalos writes. "Leaders should be coming to teachers for guidance on changes and earning buy-in from the community." Read more:

+ AR: Senator gets hands-on look at bilingual education + CO & PA: State budget responses + MS: Policy brief, "Moving From Data to Action" + TX: Steering boys toward teaching careers Explore this week’s Newsblast: cm.teachplus.org/t/r-ED208032...

Two bills likely signal the beginning of a flurry of legislation aimed at bolstering the safety of AI tools as the technology becomes integral to a broad swath of sectors, including K-12 education, experts say.

Colorado's new state budget must fully fund education and "invest in policies that expand access to opportunity for students and support the educators who make learning possible," Teach Plus Colorado Executive Director Jamita Horton writes. Read more: coloradonewsline.com/2025/11/07/p...

Teach Plus Pennsylvania alum and PA Teacher of the Year Leon Smith is focused on reimagining the teaching profession. He shares about the major role teacher leadership and collaboration play in changing teaching. Read more:

As Gov. Polis prepares to share the next state budget, Teach Plus CO Executive Director Jamita Horton highlights the importance of fully funding education so every student can participate in college and career pathways and achieve postsecondary success. coloradonewsline.com/2025/11/07/p...

Looking for insights from fellow educators on how to improve chronic absenteeism with creative solutions? Read this example from Teach Plus Arkansas Fellow Karyna Johnson who created out-of-school time music clubs for her students.

Commentary: As Colorado Gov. Jared Polis unveils his next state budget, his commitment to fully fund education, including kindergarten, carries real weight. We can’t afford to turn back. From Jamita Horton of @teachplus.bsky.social Colorado

Speaking alongside her legislators, Teach Plus MA Fellow Luisa Sparrow shared her students' literacy struggles. “While my students were able to have discussions about the books I read aloud to them they weren't developing the skills to read independently.”

+ AR: One op-ed, multiple platforms, real influence + CA: Giving students a stable literacy foundation + MI: Executive Director Ben Locke honored as changemaker + PA: Bringing policy ideas directly to policymakers Explore this week’s Newsblast: cm.teachplus.org/t/r-E031C728...

All over the country education leaders keep choosing to syphon off money for new staff, new programs, small classes and benefits rather than paying teachers more. Is that the right choice? And if not, is there anything policy might do to change it? schooledbymikepetrilli.substack.com/p/should-sta...

Following a local tragedy, Teach Plus Pennsylvania Policy Fellow Kristen Peeples shares how Philadelphia can better invest in schools and communities. Read more here: www.inquirer.com/opinion/comm...

California is determining how to screen multilingual TK students to determine who needs extra help. Teach Plus California EBCAN alum Bernadette Zermeño emphasizes how important that step is: "Our multilingual geniuses, as I like to call them, need extra support."

Teach Plus Indiana and Senior Writing Fellowship alumnus Ronak Shah has a long history of advocacy. He shares his approach to speaking at public meetings to tell policymakers how policy decisions impact students. Read more: mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

"While elections come and go, advocates are the ones who stick around." -David Rosenberg (@teachplus.bsky.social) On our newest podcast episode, policy and advocacy experts discuss how we can bridge #edprep and #PK12 to strengthen teaching and learning. www.deansforimpact.org/10-years-of-...

This month, we are honoring the accomplishments and contributions of Native American and Indigenous American educators—and those in the community who have nurtured students and families. #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth

Schools and communities need more partnerships between schools and industry professionals to encourage students' interests and future careers. Insights via Teach Plus Colorado Fellow Colin Haverkamp:

"The data is clear: Breakfast clubs, music clubs, or any school-related extracurricular activities all create positive effects on school attendance." In this week's Newsblast: Teach Plus Arkansas Fellow Karyna Johnson on improving attendance. Read more: cm.teachplus.org/t/r-3CC5ACFC...

As AI evolves, teachers need to be at the table for creating guidelines around its use, Leading Edge Fellow Al Rabanera explains. “I believe teachers know what’s best because they’re in front of the kids.” Read more:

Schools are starting to adopt play-based or playful learning, in which teachers guide students in playful activities designed to grow specific skills. www.edweek.org/teaching-lea... Read Teach Plus Illinois's work on the importance of play here: teachplus.org/resource/imp...

Senior Writing Fellowship alumnus John Fredericks wants to hear about educators’ work-life balance as part of his Arizona State University PhD program. Will you complete a short survey? Questions? [email protected] asu.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey...

Teach Plus Colorado Fellow Colin Haverkamp creates opportunities for students to learn directly from industry experts. "When students work alongside professionals, they don’t just learn content—they start to see themselves as future scientists." www.denvergazette.com/2025/10/20/p...

When it comes to reading, the nation's 3rd through 8th-graders are still mired in a pandemic-era slump, according to new data. In math, the news is only a little more heartening: Student achievement in those grades either held steady or improved slightly.

When it comes to AI in education, one very important question is, how can schools give students and staff guidance while remaining flexible as things change? Leading Edge Fellow Al Rabanera shares why it's important for teachers to advise on AI guidance.

Academic researchers are marshalling evidence for what high-quality SEL programs actually deliver for students. The latest study summarizes 12 years of evidence and finds that 30 different SEL programs tended to produce “moderate” academic benefits.

"Fulfilling IDEA’s promise often requires more than educators and resources; it demands innovative approaches that adapt to each student’s unique strengths, needs and interests," Leading Edge Fellow Heather Gauck writes. "That's where technology offers one answer."

"When students work alongside industry role models, they don't just learn content—they start to see themselves as future scientists." In this week’s Newsblast: Teach Plus Colorado Fellow Colin Haverkamp on the benefits of students shadowing experts. Read more: cm.teachplus.org/t/r-69A7CEA9...

As PA legislators work to solidify the budget, student teachers are left in the lurch, waiting for stipends. “We can't afford to lose another generation of potential great teachers for the next generation of students,” Teach Plus Pennsylvania ED Laura Boyce said.

Connection and belonging are the keys to student learning, Teach Plus Massachusetts Policy Fellowship alumna Lisa Hanifan explains. Educators, how do you cultivate belonging in your classroom?

School districts that collectively enroll roughly 1 in 7 of the nation’s K-12 public school students will begin going without routine federal payments in the coming days as the government shutdown drags on.

Teach Plus Pennsylvania alum and PA Teacher of the Year Leon Smith is focused on reimagining the teaching profession. He shares about the major role teacher leadership and collaboration play in changing teaching. Read more: