Public School Rankings: Are They Accurate in 2026?

How Are U.S. Public Schools Doing in 2026?

How are U.S. public schools doing in 2026? The answer is complex. Academic recovery continues, funding remains uneven, enrollment patterns are shifting, and political debates over curriculum and school choice remain intense.

Five years after the pandemic’s most disruptive phase, public schools are no longer in crisis mode. However, they are still navigating the long-term academic and structural consequences. Parents, educators, and policymakers are asking not just whether schools have stabilized, but whether they are improving.

This 2026 update examines academic performance, enrollment trends, funding realities, student well-being, and what lies ahead for the nation’s 49 million public school students.

Academic Performance: Progress With Persistent Gaps

National test data released in late 2025 show gradual improvement, though not a full return to pre-2020 levels. The National Assessment of Educational Progress reports modest gains in fourth- and eighth-grade math and reading compared to 2022 lows. However, scores remain below 2019 benchmarks in most states.

Key 2026 academic trends include:

• Math recovery is stronger than reading recovery.

• Early elementary grades show faster improvement than middle school.

• Achievement gaps by income level and race remain wider than before 2020.

• Chronic absenteeism, while declining, continues to affect learning outcomes.

Many districts are doubling down on high-dosage tutoring, extended learning time, and evidence-based literacy

Helping Your Child Navigate Friendship Drama at School

Friendship drama is not new, but in 2026, it looks different than it did a decade ago. Text threads, social media, online gaming communities, and group chats now extend school conflicts well beyond dismissal. For parents, helping your child navigate friendship drama at school requires updated strategies that reflect both in-person and digital realities.

While friendship conflicts are a normal part of development, they can deeply affect a child’s confidence, academic performance, and sense of belonging. The key is not eliminating conflict, but teaching children how to manage it with empathy, resilience, and sound judgment.

This guide offers practical, research-informed strategies for helping your child navigate friendship drama at school, whether your child is in elementary, middle, or high school.

Why Friendship Drama Feels So Intense Today

Children and teens experience social conflict more publicly than previous generations. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, digital communication can amplify misunderstandings and intensify emotional reactions, particularly among adolescents.

Several factors contribute to heightened friendship challenges in 2026:

• Group chats that exclude or screenshot conversations

• Social media posts that spark comparison or jealousy

• Rumor-spreading through short-form video platforms

• Increased academic and extracurricular pressure

• Post-pandemic social skill gaps still affecting some students

Schools report that while bullying

Raising Kind Kids: How Public Schools Teach Empathy and Character Education

In an era defined by rapid technological change, social media pressures, and global uncertainty, academic achievement alone is no longer enough. Parents increasingly want schools to help their children become thoughtful, ethical, and compassionate individuals. The conversation has shifted from test scores to character, from competition to collaboration.

Understanding How Public Schools Teach Empathy and Character Education is essential for families evaluating their options. Across the United States in 2026, public schools are investing in structured programs that promote emotional intelligence, civic responsibility, and ethical decision making. Far from being add-ons, these initiatives are embedded into curriculum, discipline policies, and classroom culture.

This article explores how public schools are building kinder communities and preparing students not just for college and careers, but for life.

Why Empathy and Character Education Matter in 2026

Research continues to reinforce the importance of social and emotional learning, often abbreviated as SEL. According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning, high-quality SEL programs improve academic performance, increase positive behaviors, and reduce emotional distress.

In 2026, the emphasis has expanded. Schools are not only helping students manage emotions, but also teaching them to:

• Understand diverse perspectives

• Practice digital citizenship

• Engage in constructive dialogue

• Develop resilience and ethical reasoning

The U.S. Department of

Do We Still Need Libraries in Public Schools?

As we settle into 2026, the question “Do we still need libraries in public schools?” continues to surface in education policy debates, budget discussions, and classroom planning sessions. With ubiquitous digital devices and increasingly connected learning environments, some may wonder whether traditional library spaces and services still matter. The short answer: yes — now more than ever.

Public school libraries have evolved far beyond rows of dusty books. Today’s libraries are dynamic learning hubs that blend literacy, technology, community, and equity. This article examines the continuing importance of libraries in public schools, how they’ve adapted to 21st‑century needs, and why eliminating them could undermine educational outcomes.

The Library’s Core Mission: Literacy and Learning

At their heart, school libraries promote reading — a foundational skill linked to academic success across subjects. Research consistently shows that access to diverse reading materials improves comprehension, vocabulary, and lifelong learning motivation.

Libraries help bridge gaps in literacy skills, especially for students who may not have access to books at home. According to the American Library Association (ALA), school libraries staffed by credentialed librarians correlate with better reading test scores and higher graduation rates.¹ Access to both print and digital resources ensures that students with different learning preferences and needs can engage meaningfully with texts.

Library programs also support broader literacy efforts such as:

• Summer reading initiatives that counter the “summer slide.”