Q&A

These Q&As feature some of the field's most prominent education scholars, leaders, and practitioners talking about important education issues
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Laura Baker/Education Week with iStock/Getty
Ed-Tech Policy Q&A Ed Research Isn't Always Relevant. This Official Is Trying to Change That
Matthew Soldner, the acting director of the Institute of Education Sciences, calls for new approaches to keep up with classroom tools.
Sarah D. Sparks, July 9, 2024
5 min read
New York City Department of Education Chancellor David Banks speaks at a press briefing at City Hall in New York City.
New York City Department of Education Chancellor David Banks speaks at a press briefing at City Hall in New York City.
Michael Brochstein/Sipa via AP
School & District Management Q&A Why This K-12 Leader Was 'Incredulous' When Congress Asked Him to Testify
New York City schools Chancellor David Banks' blunt take on appearing before Congress and leading schools in divisive times.
7 min read
Illustration of calm woman working at desk
Getty
School & District Management Q&A How One Principal Stays Connected by Teaching
The head of a Bronx high school took on a class to reconnect after the pandemic.
Sarah D. Sparks, July 1, 2024
5 min read
Tight crop of teacher fist bumping blurred Black school girl.
E+/Getty
Teaching Q&A How to Motivate Adolescents in Math and Science: Tips From an Expert
There's no formula for teaching motivation. Instead, teachers should think about creating a motivating environment in their classrooms.
Arianna Prothero, June 28, 2024
3 min read
Photo of high school student working on math equation.
E+
Mathematics Q&A A District Is Making a Huge Bet on One Math Curriculum to Improve Achievement
The nation's largest school district has launched a new initiative to address students’ gaps in math proficiency.
Olina Banerji, June 27, 2024
5 min read
Close-up stock photograph showing a touchscreen monitor with a woman’s hand looking at responses being asked by an AI chatbot.
E+
Classroom Technology Q&A Google Executive: What AI Can and Can't Do for Teachers
Jennie Magiera, Google's head of education impact, discusses the role AI should have in K-12 education.
Lauraine Langreo, June 26, 2024
8 min read
Conceptual image of dice with question marks on them with A.I. faded in background.
Andrii Yalanskyi/iStock/Getty
Classroom Technology Q&A Forget Cheating. Here’s the Real Question About AI in Schools
The head of a major education organization sees a coming shift in the conversation about AI in schools.
Alyson Klein, June 21, 2024
4 min read
Singer Taylor Swift performs on stage during her Eras Tour at the Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on June 7, 2024.
Taylor Swift performs on stage during her Eras Tour at the Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on June 7, 2024.
Jane Barlow/PA via AP
Reading & Literacy Q&A Can Taylor Swift Get Students to Love Poetry?
A college professor will train middle and high school teachers on how to use Swift's lyrics in their curriculum.
Madeline Will, June 19, 2024
8 min read
Missouri Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven talks to students participating in Future Farmers of America during an event in February 2024, in Jefferson City, Missouri.
Missouri Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven talks to students participating in Future Farmers of America during an event in February 2024, in Jefferson City, Mo. Vandeven is stepping down from her position after more than eight years on the job.
Courtesy of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
States Q&A 'Politics Does Not Belong in Education,' Says a Departing State Schools Chief
Improving student outcomes requires finding common ground, says Missouri's long-serving education commissioner, Margie Vandeven.
Libby Stanford, June 4, 2024
9 min read
Anjali Verma speaks during a panel at the 2024 Education Week Leadership Symposium on May 2, 2024, in Arlington, Va.
Anjali Verma speaks during a panel at the 2024 Education Week Leadership Symposium on May 2, 2024, in Arlington, Va. The youth leader plans to focus on student mental health.
Chris Ferenzi for Education Week
Student Well-Being Q&A A Teen's Plea to School Leaders: 'Reach Students Who Suffer in Silence'
The newly-elected president of the National Student Council wants school leaders to partner with their students.
Olina Banerji, June 3, 2024
4 min read
Tess Carlson, Biology & Community Health Teacher for SFUSD Mission Bay Hub, demonstrates how to meter a pipet for Ruier Fang and Aldriana Ramos, both 12th graders at Thurgood Marshall, on April 29, 2024, in San Francisco.
Tess Carlson, the founding science teacher for Mission Bay Hub, demonstrates how to meter a pipet for students on April 29, 2024, in San Francisco.
Peter Prato for Education Week
Teaching Profession Q&A 'Fundamentally Changing the Conditions' for Teaching
A specialized STEM program builds in more planning time for teachers.
Lauraine Langreo, June 3, 2024
5 min read
Arsenio Romero, secretary of New Mexico’s Public Education Department, addresses the audience at the Albuquerque Earth Day Festival on April 21, 2024.
Arsenio Romero, the New Mexico secretary of education, speaks at the Albuquerque Earth Day Festival on April 21, 2024. Romero is leading a statewide effort to improve literacy.
Courtesy of New Mexico Public Education Department
Reading & Literacy Q&A A New Plan to Raise the Lowest Literacy Rates in the Nation
Daily summer reading instruction for thousands of students is part of a bigger plan to improve literacy in New Mexico.
Elizabeth Heubeck, May 23, 2024
5 min read
Katy Anthes, Commissioner of Education in Colorado from 2016- 2023, participates in a breakout session during the Education Week Leadership Symposium on May 3, 2024.
Katy Anthes, who served as commissioner of education in Colorado from 2016-2023, participates in a breakout session during the Education Week Leadership Symposium on May 3, 2024. Anthes specializes in helping school district leaders successfully manage politically charged conflicts.
Chris Ferenzi for Education Week
School & District Management Q&A How K-12 Leaders Can Better Manage Divisive Curriculum and Culture War Debates
The leader of an effort to equip K-12 leaders with conflict resolution skills urges relationship-building—and knowing when to disengage.
Caitlynn Peetz, May 13, 2024
7 min read
Photo of teacher in front of class.
E+ / Getty
Mathematics Q&A Teacher Group Wants a Focus on Low Math Performance, Too
A teacher-led nonprofit releases recommendations focus on how to avoid “math aversion” in middle school.
Olina Banerji, May 10, 2024
5 min read