Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL)

AI Is Different From Other Ed Tech. Here's How (Opinion) Debates over artificial intelligence are really about asking some big philosophical questions.

AI Is Different From Other Ed Tech. Here's How (Opinion): Debates over artificial intelligence are really about asking some big philosophical questions.

It’s a Complicated Time for Teachers to Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary At a lesson-writing workshop, teachers discussed how we should interpret founding principles today.

It’s a Complicated Time for Teachers to Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary: At a lesson-writing workshop, teachers discussed how we should interpret founding principles today.

Reflecting on Four Years of Impact with IEL Every February is a special one, being that it’s both Black History Month and Valentine’s Day, an occasion to celebrate the loved ones in our lives. For me, it’s extra sweet - Valentine’s Day is also ...

We're grateful for the leadership of Eddie Koen, IEL's youngest & 1st Black president. We're proud of what our team has accomplished these last 4 years together, & hope you'll join us as we work to create opportunities for all children, youth, & families to thrive! www.linkedin.com/pulse/reflec...

A black-and-white memorial graphic featuring a close-up portrait of a young Reverend Jesse Jackson with an afro and mustache. Large, bold white text overlaid on the image reads "KEEP HOPE ALIVE". Below the portrait, smaller white text identifies him as "Reverend Jesse Jackson" with the years "1941—2026". A small photo credit for Getty Images is visible in the bottom left corner.

It's more important than ever that we find common cause with our neighbors to fight for an America that the late Rev. Jesse Jackson believed in and fought for, one where all of us have an equal opportunity to thrive.

Meet our new Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP) cohort! We're proud to introduce the Fellows of our spring 2026 EPFP, designed to build the capacity of education and community leaders to drive change in their local context through policy and advocacy. iel.org/institute-fo...

Microsoft Joins Other Companies in Trying to Fill AI Training Gap in Schools Providing teachers with professional development on AI has been a big challenge for schools.

Microsoft Joins Other Companies in Trying to Fill AI Training Gap in Schools: Providing teachers with professional development on AI has been a big challenge for schools.

More States Are Calling for Math Reform. Will It Improve Student Outcomes? National math scores are sitting at historic lows. But experts disagree on how to raise achievement.

More States Are Calling for Math Reform. Will It Improve Student Outcomes?: National math scores are sitting at historic lows. But experts disagree on how to raise achievement.

Join #CommunitySchool champions from across the West to build community & share best practices for CS strategies in schools, communities, and across states. This convening is open to anyone who is currently engaged or interested in the Community School strategy: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

CSxFE highlights powerful family and community engagement through a multitude of workshop sessions, uplifting strategies, policies, programs, goals and conditions necessary to chart a path toward effective #FamEngage efforts that are linked to student achievement & school improvement: bit.ly/csxfe26

We've reserved discounted CSxFE rooms @ hotels near the Long Beach Convention Center (LBCC), including the famous Queen Mary hotel! Shuttle service will be provided to & from the Queen Mary & LBCC each day in the AM&PM. Book aboard the legendary ocean liner permanently docked in LB: conta.cc/3O6bGmu

IEL is excited to be celebrating the legacy and achievements of Black history this February!
Learn more about how we practice what we preach through love in action - supporting leaders who strengthen communities and education systems in pursuit of greater opportunity for all: iel.org/iel-black-hi...

Congress passed its spending pkg to fund the vast majority of the fed gov through 9/30 of this yr, ending a partial gov shutdown. We celebrate several funding victories for fed programs in this Omnibus approps bill that align w/ our Policy by the People Congressional agenda: iel.org/iel-celebrat...

✨ The countdown is on for our next National Community Schools & Family Engagement (CSxFE) Conference! ✨From inspiring sessions and powerful conversations to networking with leaders and changemakers, CSxFE is more than an event — it’s where ideas turn into impact. Join us: bit.ly/csxfe26

A Century of Celebrating Black History: A Collection This year’s special Education Week Opinion project offers perspectives and guidance from educators for improving Black history education.

A Century of Celebrating Black History: A Collection: This year’s special Education Week Opinion project offers perspectives and guidance from educators for improving Black history education.

Rebuking Trump, Congress Moves to Maintain Most Federal Education Funding Funding for key programs like Title I and IDEA are on track to remain level year over year.

Rebuking Trump, Congress Moves to Maintain Most Federal Education Funding: Funding for key programs like Title I and IDEA are on track to remain level year over year.

Don't miss your chance to be a part of this PD opportunity to start your year off on the right foot! Give back to yourself, your team, and the young people you serve with Module 1 of IEL's Academy for Youth-Serving Professionals, 1/28-29. Deadline to register is 1/23. Learn more: conta.cc/4pQ16xq

In Trump's First Year, at Least $12 Billion in School Funding Disruptions The administration's cuts to schools came through the Education Department and other agencies.

In Trump's First Year, at Least $12 Billion in School Funding Disruptions: The administration's cuts to schools came through the Education Department and other agencies.

Today we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by recommitting ourselves to love in action. IEL believes that strong communities, education that works for all students, and a a just society are built through collective leadership and shared responsibility.

Don't miss our next IEL Virtual Check-In: Policy Updates from December 2025/January 2026 on 1/22 @2PM ET: ! The new year has brought with it a number of policy changes. Join to learn more about what’s been happening in Washington throughout December and into January. us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

At IEL we bring people together. There's perhaps no better example of this than our CSxFE each year - where thousands of people from the field come together for a big family reunion dedicated to creating better opportunities for children, youth, and families across the country. bit.ly/csxfe26

More Teachers Are Using AI in Their Classrooms. Here's Why But there's still a big number of teachers who don't plan to use the technology.

More Teachers Are Using AI in Their Classrooms. Here's Why: But there's still a big number of teachers who don't plan to use the technology.

As Congress considers the nation’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget, it is essential that they invest in children, youth, and families by funding the Full-Service #CommunitySchools (FSCS) Grant Program at $135 million. Read our statement: iel.org/iel-coalitio...

Minneapolis Schools Close in Wake of Deadly Shooting, Immigration Enforcement The districtwide closure marks a departure from schools' responses to ICE presence.

Minneapolis Schools Close in Wake of Deadly Shooting, Immigration Enforcement: The districtwide closure marks a departure from schools' responses to ICE presence.

Are you a Principal, Asst Principal, or Administrator? A Community School Coordinator or Teacher Leader? We're excited to announce the 2nd module of our Collaborative Leadership Micro-credential: Consensus Building & Decision-Making, taking place 2/12 - 4/23. Learn more & register: conta.cc/4bmd65U

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Community Schools Impact on Student Outcomes: What We are Learning from California. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining t... This webinar will present the first large-scale study of post-pandemic community schools outcomes, using evidence from California’s investment in the California Community Schools Partnership Program (...

Join us with LPI for "Community Schools Impact on Student Outcomes: What We are Learning from CA" on 1/13 at 3PM ET! The webinar will present the first large-scale study of post-pandemic CS outcomes using evidence from CA's investment in the CA CS Partnership Program. us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

What are your #NewYears resolutions? If investing in yourself, your team, or your community is on your list, look no further than CSxFE! This one-of-a-kind PD opportunity is the perfect setting to build your skills to advance effective school strategies while having a blast: bit.ly/csxfe26

The Rise of Deepfake Cyberbullying Poses a Growing Problem for Schools The fallout from the spread of the manipulated photos and videos can create a nightmare for the victims.

The Rise of Deepfake Cyberbullying Poses a Growing Problem for Schools: The fallout from the spread of the manipulated photos and videos can create a nightmare for the victims.

Happy new year! To kick off '26, we echo Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson's ? from CSxFE25: "what will we do with our moment?" We invite you to join us throughout the yr, including @ CSxFE26, as we renew our promise to children, youth, & fams - partnering w/ them to change systems. Learn more: bit.ly/csxfe26

Undocumented Students Still Have a Right to Education. Will That Change in 2026? State-level challenges to a landmark 1982 Supreme Court ruling are on the rise.

Undocumented Students Still Have a Right to Education. Will That Change in 2026?: State-level challenges to a landmark 1982 Supreme Court ruling are on the rise.

As we reflect on an another year gone by (almost), there a lot we are thankful for, and proud of!

Click below to take a look back at some of our top moments from 2025:

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