School Climate

Get insights into improving school culture and the experiences of students and staff
People gather in Pliny Park in Brattleboro, Vt., for a vigil, Monday, Nov. 27, 2023, for the three Palestinian-American students who were shot while walking near the University of Vermont campus in Burlington, Vt., Saturday, Nov. 25. The three students were being treated at the University of Vermont Medical Center, and one faces a long recovery because of a spinal injury, a family member said.
People gather in Pliny Park in Brattleboro, Vt., for a vigil, Monday, Nov. 27, 2023, for the three Palestinian-American students who were shot while walking near the University of Vermont campus in Burlington, Vt., Saturday, Nov. 25. Tensions over the Israel-Hamas war are playing out in schools and colleges across the country, including some K-12 schools.
Kristopher Radder/The Brattleboro Reformer via AP
School & District Management Rising Tensions From Israel-Hamas War Are Seeping Into Schools
As effects of the war reverberate in school communities, schools have federal responsibilities to create discrimination-free environments.
Elizabeth Heubeck, November 29, 2023
5 min read
 Back view of a male teacher in classroom lecturing to elementary school students.
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Teaching Profession Substitute Teachers Would Like You to Stop Treating Them Like Babysitters
A research review found that substitute teachers get little respect and professional training.
Madeline Will, November 17, 2023
6 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
Teaching Profession Opinion Teachers of Color Face Unique Challenges. Here Are Some of Them
Teaching is hard enough, but educators of color face additional—often invisible—tasks.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 14, 2023
16 min read
An empty classroom of desks with plants along the window sills.
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Student Well-Being Plants in the Classroom: Why You Should Consider It
Plants boost well-being. Education Week asked teachers for recommendations on what varieties of plants can thrive in a K-12 classroom.
Arianna Prothero, October 27, 2023
3 min read
Illustration of a silhouetted figure standing in isolation on a labyrinth swirl.
Lorenzo Donati/iStock/Getty<br/>
Equity & Diversity Opinion An Urgent Message to School Leaders: Your Arab and Muslim Students Need You
In the past, Middle East conflicts prompted spikes of anti-Muslim collective blame. It’s happening again today.
Amaarah DeCuir , October 27, 2023
5 min read
Closeup of child's hands painting pumpkin with spooky face.
iStock / Getty Images Plus
School Climate & Safety How to Stop Students From Ghosting (and More Halloween Advice for Educators)
Our guide will help you keep attendance, student engagement, and classroom routines from getting thrown out of whack (o' lantern).
Evie Blad, October 25, 2023
5 min read
Image of educators walking down a hallway.
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School Climate & Safety What Teachers Say It Takes to Build a Positive School Culture
Educators told us on social media what they think goes into a healthy school culture where teachers feel valued and don't want to leave.
Caitlynn Peetz, October 24, 2023
3 min read
Student Well-Being In Their Own Words LGBTQ+ Student Perspective: At School, ‘My Safety Didn’t Feel Like the Priority’
For Landon Callahan, mental health challenges and substance use became easier to manage once he came out as a transgender man.
Lauraine Langreo, October 16, 2023
5 min read
Student Well-Being In Their Own Words LGBTQ+ Student Perspective: ‘My School’s GSA Saved My Life’
Esmée Silverman came to the realization that they were transgender in high school, but thought about suicide constantly during their freshman year.
Lauraine Langreo, October 16, 2023
3 min read
Student Well-Being In Their Own Words LGBTQ+ Student Perspective: Mental Health Challenges ‘Come With the Territory’
Imani Sims says it's rare to come across fellow members of the LGBTQ+ community who do not have difficulties with their mental health.
Lauraine Langreo, October 16, 2023
4 min read
Collage of three faces with lines connecting to dots over all three faces. There is a bright yellow four corners framing the woman's face in the center.
Gina Tomko/Education Week + Canva
School Climate & Safety Does Facial Recognition Technology Make Schools Safer? What Educators Need to Know
New York has banned facial recognition technology in schools. Here’s what experts say schools need to consider before using it.
Arianna Prothero, October 13, 2023
7 min read
Photo illustration of principal giving students a high five.
F. Sheehan/Education Week via Canva / Getty
School & District Management Opinion How to Create a Culture of Care in Your School: Lessons From 10 Years as Principal
Ease up on meetings, but add more teacher planning time—and other advice for putting people first.
Matthew Ebert, October 10, 2023
4 min read
CCTV Security monitoring student in classroom at school.
iStock/Getty Images Plus
School Climate & Safety Surveillance Tech Is Supposed to Make Students Feel Safer. For Many, It Doesn't
Some students say surveillance tech feels like a violation of their privacy, the American Civil Liberties Union reported.
Alyson Klein, October 5, 2023
3 min read
Ninth graders paint a speaker shaped like cake for a capstone project on March 13, 2017, at MC2 STEM High School in Cleveland.
Ninth graders paint a speaker shaped like cake for a capstone project on March 13, 2017, at MC2 STEM High School in Cleveland.
Allison Shelley for EDUimages
Student Well-Being Q&A Gen Z Members Are Very Optimistic. Should They Be?
Generation Z has faced a battery of challenges in recent years and will have to tackle big ones ahead.
Arianna Prothero, September 29, 2023
4 min read