As the new school year begins, teachers are focusing on building strong relationships with students, according to a survey by Education Week. Michael Reichert of the University of Pennsylvania highlights the importance of positive student-teacher relationships, especially for boys, noting that strong relationships can improve attendance, academic performance, behavior and overall student engagement.

Mindfulness practices are increasingly being introduced in American schools, with over 1 million children exposed to such programs, predominantly at the elementary level. While research suggests potential benefits, such as reduced stress and improved well-being, the actual impact of mindfulness in schools remains mixed and is influenced by factors like curriculum content and teaching methods.

The relentless pace of technological change, economic instability, and heightened pressures from boards and stakeholders contribute to an "always on" culture that makes it difficult for C-suite executives to disconnect and recover, which can lead to burnout, writes David Astorino, a senior partner at RHR International. Combat stress by prioritizing sleep, connection with others, vacations and professional therapy, Astorino suggests.

Educators in San Antonio are increasingly integrating AI into classrooms to enhance efficiency. Experts like Deepti Tagare from the University of Texas at San Antonio highlight its benefits for lesson planning, instructional material creation and tutoring. However, both Tagare and high-school teacher David Vela emphasize the importance of ethically using the technology as a tool and warning against overreliance and potential academic dishonesty.

US schools are feeling the effects of federal funding cuts to institutions such as the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The cuts threaten database access, partnerships between public and school libraries, and teacher-training programs, with high-poverty and rural areas particularly at risk.

School districts are seeing a rise in student homelessness amid escalating housing costs, with the future of federal funding for these students uncertain. The McKinney-Vento Act currently supports homeless students, but a federal budget proposal threatens to eliminate this funding, consolidating it into a block grant.

Behind every thriving school is a leader who is supported, not blamed. It’s time to shift the narrative about the principalship. Read more from Edward Owusu, executive director for the Montgomery County Association of Principals and Administrators (MCAAP) in Montgomery County, Maryland, in his new post on the ASCD Blog.

The Summer 2025 special digital issue of Educational Leadership explores how educators and leaders can bring the eight research-backed Transformational Learning Principles to life in schools and classrooms. Download this free issue today!