Texas and several other states have enacted new laws that restrict what teachers can display and discuss in classrooms regarding race, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Texas Senate Bill 12, for example, broadly prohibits related programs and discussions in public K-12 schools, while similar laws in states like Florida, Arkansas and Alabama ban teaching "divisive concepts."

The immediate and widespread dissemination of Charlie Kirk's assassination video deeply affected students, prompting a range of emotional reactions. Some teens felt traumatized after viewing the footage, and the event sparked classroom discussions, both formal and informal, and led some students to question their own willingness to engage in political discourse out of fear for their safety.

Your introverted team members have some great ideas, but their reflective nature means they stay silent during rapid-fire meetings, says executive coach Joel Garfinkle in this video. Garfinkle recommends coaching these workers on the importance of speaking up, not just for the company, but for their own career growth. "The message to introverted employees must be clear and direct: 'When you have a seat at the table, use it,'" Garfinkle writes.

To ensure smooth technology integration this school year, educators recommend teachers prepare their classrooms by organizing their digital spaces, establishing device care routines and creating clear policies for AI use. Teachers also are urged to conduct tech surveys to gauge students' familiarity with various tools and set up efficient charging stations.

Master social worker Loren Lapow's Maui Hero Project offers adventure-based counseling to support mental health for teens affected by the Maui wildfires two years ago. The program combines disaster preparedness and outdoor activities, providing a unique approach to mental health that has become crucial for reaching reluctant youths.

The Trump administration's Make Our Children Healthy Again strategy emphasizes healthier school meals, including limiting artificial dyes and ultra-processed foods. Diane Pratt-Heavner of the School Nutrition Association said any new rules must be practical, since schools depend on pre-prepared foods to meet federal standards and lack the capacity to make all meals from scratch.

Creating a school culture of belonging is important for the emotional and intellectual well-being of our students, but it can be hard to do well -- and can even come across as inauthentic -- if we only rely on occasional assemblies or school slogans. Columnist Michael Hernandez shares five easy ways to strengthen belonging organically through assignments and classroom workflow in the latest issue of EL.

To find apps that truly support student learning, use these research-backed criteria on the ASCD Blog from Liz Kolb, clinical professor at the University of Michigan School of Education.