Schools that have high test scores, support students' social and emotional skills and have good student behavior are more effective, according to a study of more than 150,000 ninth-grade students in Chicago. Researchers found that schools with high rankings in these three areas had fewer arrests, plus higher rates of high-school graduation and college enrollment.

Some teachers are finding unique and innovative ways to engage students during remote instruction. Abigail Dillingham, an art teacher in Virginia, sought to overcome a lack of supplies by having her students create artwork out of their family's laundry, and Alex Clark, a high-school physical-education teacher, organized socially distanced bike rides through Washington, D.C., neighborhoods.

The challenges of 2020 offer several lessons for school leaders, asserts Maria Armstrong, executive director of the Association of Latino Administrators & Superintendents. In this commentary, Armstrong notes the importance of school leadership beyond the district and the critical role of proactive engagement.

In a move celebrated by privacy advocates, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law that prohibits the use of biometric identifying technology -- such as facial recognition software -- in schools. Linnette Attai, founder of PlayWell, a privacy consulting firm, said other states are likely to adopt similar restrictions.

A high-school student in New York state was inspired by her personal experience helping a sibling learn during the coronavirus pandemic to launch a free, online tutoring platform. The service taps high-schoolers to tutor kindergarten- through eighth-grade students, and its founder, Flora Chen, used a website and social media to attract parents looking for tutoring support.

Miguel Cardona, President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for secretary of education, will be asked to reopen schools within Biden's first 100 days in office. This article outlines examples of Cardona's other "to dos" if he is confirmed, including addressing civil rights concerns, as well as testing and accountability.

School districts in Minnesota are eager for new funds earmarked in the federal coronavirus relief package to help them reopen schools safely. Besides physical supports, such as protective gear and cleaning supplies, the legislation also provides funding to address learning loss stemming from the pandemic.

The coronavirus pandemic has stolen many opportunities from students -- including formal dances, dating and parties -- and is keeping some teens from learning skills that come from interacting in social settings, says Mary Alvord, who operates a mental health practice. Alvord says this could create challenges for students when they are thrust back into social settings following the pandemic.

Educators need collaborative opportunities to renew their love of learning, not just to review data and rework lessons. Researcher Ian Parker Renga and coauthors examine the power of Math Teachers' Circles -- a group of educators that get together to play math games and solve problems just for the joy of it. This article is part of Educational Leadership's special issue "Mental Health for Educators."

We want to hear your stories. In each issue, Educational Leadership's "Tell Us About" column publishes brief contributions from readers describing their experiences related to that issue's theme. For the April 2021 issue, we'd like to hear about the great myths about being a school principal. Share your 100- to 200-word submission by January 15.