Institute for Educational Leadership

Share My Lesson: Teaching America at 250 This summer’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence is a monumental milestone. It provides a unique opportunity not only to celebrate the achievements and innovations of Americans over the centuries but also to reflect on the unfinished work of our democracy. Teaching students about...

Join "Leveraging Funding Streams: Turning Social Media Accountability Into Youth Opportunity," on June 23, 3–4:30 p.m. ET!

Co-sponsored by Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, Alliance for Youth Thriving and 's Funding Project

Across the country, lawsuits are underway over the impact of social media on youth well-being. If these cases result in settlements or other payouts, communities will face an important question: Where should those dollars go? In this webinar, panelists will discuss the social media lawsuits filed across the country and the opportunity they may create to invest in solutions that support young people. Attendees will learn about Fund IRL — a national coalition working to ensure potential funds from social media litigation support youth development programs that provide safe spaces, caring mentors, and real-life opportunities for young people to connect and thrive — and ways to get involved. The webinar also will include updates on leveraging the Federal Education Tax Credit.

Panelists: Elizabeth Gaines, Children’s Funding Project; Allie Farrell, Children’s Funding Project; Scott Palmer, EducationCounsel; and others!

Register:

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: GLR Learning Tuesdays. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. GLR Learning Tuesdays affirms CGLR's commitment to get better at getting better by learning with and from each other. We are using these webinars as a portal through which to access and explore the best science, ideas and programs. Register now for an upcoming GLR Learning Tuesdays Webinars. We host...

Juneteenth is more than a date in history. It’s an opportunity to help students explore freedom, resilience, citizenship and the ongoing pursuit of equality.

This free collection includes classroom-ready Juneteenth lesson plans and activities for K–12 educators, covering the history of emancipation, Reconstruction, Black heritage, civil rights and celebrations of Black joy. From picture books and read-alouds to primary source analysis and civics lessons, there’s something for every grade level.

Explore the collection: https://sharemylesson.com/juneteenth-activities

How do you teach Juneteenth in your classroom? 💬

For the first time, the 2026 KIDS COUNT® Data Book includes a child well-being score in addition to state rankings. This 0-to-1,000 score makes it easier to see how outcomes for kids are changing over time.

The latest data show a mixed picture across the country. Overall child well-being declined nationally between 2019 and 2024, with education showing the largest decline. At the same time, there are signs of progress: Teen births fell 24%, and the share of children living in high-poverty neighborhoods decreased by 22%.

Learn more in this year’s Data Book: http://aecf.org/databook

At the end of May, NCFL President & CEO Dr. Felicia C. Smith joined fellow members of the National Action Commission on stage at the Institute for Educational Leadership’s national conference to consider how alignment across schools, families, and communities can drive transformation and systemic impact.

One key takeaway: that education systems can better serve families and communities when treat Pre-K-12 and adult learning as interconnected, and create opportunities for multigenerational learning to occur.

Last week, members of our Community Schools team joined leaders from across the country at the Institute for Educational Leadership Guiding Lights Conference.

Jennifer Ayers and Kara Strouse presented and learned alongside others who are passionate about supporting students, families, and building stronger communities.

Opportunities like this allow us to share ideas, build connections, and bring new insights back to East Tennessee.

We're grateful for educators, community partners, and leaders across our country who continue to move this work forward.

The Trump administration is withholding more than $2 billion for education that Congress approved in February.

Education Week has a list of all the affected programs. This article will be updated as new information emerges.

💲 Read more: https://bit.ly/4dpfw4u