Digital Urban Educator - January/February 2026

Seven decades ago, in the fall of 1956, leaders of 12 of the nation’s largest urban school systems convened a meeting in Chicago to discuss how vocational education could improve to meet the needs of the nation’s manufacturing sector, then a rich source of jobs for high school graduates.

Veteran educator Kamar Samuels was recently appointed the new chancellor of New York City Public Schools, the largest school system in the nation. Samuels was chosen by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani in January to lead the school district, which serves 906,248 students across more than 1,500 schools.

Urban school leaders will discuss the education priorities for the Trump Administration and education legislation on Capitol Hill when they converge at the Council of the Great City Schools’ Annual Legislative/Policy Conference, March 14-17, in Washington, D.C.Urban school leaders will discuss the education priorities for the Trump Administration and education legislation on Capitol Hill when they converge at the Council of the Great City Schools’ Annual Legislative/Policy Conference, March 14-17, in Washington, D.C.

The Los Angeles Unified School District is committed to ensuring that every student has access to rigorous, college-level coursework. This commitment is already yielding positive results, as recent data shows an increase in the number of district students enrolling in Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

In an effort to increase awareness about the need for math and science graduates, especially among underserved populations, the Council of the Great City Schools is partnering with the Peters Pharis Foundation to offer four $10,000 scholarships to urban students majoring in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Jennifer Jimenez , a music teacher and band director at South Miami Senior High School in Miami-Dade Public Schools, has built her career around the belief that “band is the family that you choose.” For nearly two decades, that philosophy has shaped her approach to teaching, allowing her to create a supportive environment that uplifts students, families, and the broader school community.

For literacy specialist Angela Berchem, the science of reading is a no-brainer.