View this email in your browser

Insights and News

March 2026

The Art of Belonging

Through our Advancing Well-Being in the Arts initiative, ethnographic research with Chicago Sinfonietta and The Union for Contemporary Art explore how legacy, trust, identity, and evolving definitions of diversity shape the work of arts organizations rooted in communities of color. From sustaining a founder's vision to building credibility in historically underinvested neighborhoods, the lessons from both organizations point to a common theme: meaningful community requires intentional leadership, deep listening, and long-term commitment.

The Evolution of Out-of-School-Time

Out-of-school-time programs are evolving, but demand continues to outpace access, with 22.6 million young people still unable to enroll. Read insights from leaders and researchers from the National Afterschool Association and American Institutes for Research to explore how OST programs are changing and what it will take to sustain and strengthen them.

What Should School Leaders Know About AI?

New survey data from the RAND American School District Panel, in partnership with the American Youth Panel, reveals a notable difference between how students and superintendents view its impact on learning. View the new data and revisit earlier insights from district leaders experimenting with AI in their schools.

Art for All, All for Art

In many communities, school-based arts opportunities have declined. But community-based arts organizations are creating spaces where young people can explore identity, build skills, and connect through creativity. Research from the University of Pittsburgh highlights how culture-centered, community-based youth arts programs, or CCYA programs, do more than teach art.

Schools, Districts, States

Word in Black spotlights Wallace's Equity-Centered Pipeline Initiative, a six-year effort supporting eight school districts in building and sustaining equity-minded school leaders committed to expanding opportunity for all students.

Two former educators explain why Bad Bunny's half-time performance was a case study for school leadership in this Education Week opinion piece.

Ellen Goldring, a professor of education and policy at Vanderbilt, discusses her research on best practices for sustainable implementation of leadership development programs in school systems.

Summer, Afterschool, Social and Emotional Learning

A recent New York Times article highlights emerging research on healing from childhood trauma, pointing to what makes the greatest difference: supportive relationships, safe environments, and a strong sense of belonging.

Good Morning America reports on the challenge some parents and caregivers face finding affordable care for kids after school in a two-part series. See part one here and part two here.

The American Institutes for Research's Deborah Moroney shares how school leaders can partner with out-of-school providers to coordinate student support, share meaningful data, and strengthen learning beyond 3:00 p.m.

At the School Superintendent's Association's National Conference on Education, researchers from RAND and Wallace joined superintendents from three states to discuss what makes summer learning programs effective. Read highlights from the session here and see Education Week's coverage of how districts are using early planning, strong partnerships, and engaging themes to turn summer school into a destination for students.

The Arts

Congratulations to Wallace grantee Pregones/Puerto Rican Traveling Theater on receiving an Obie Award for their steadfast dedication to excellence, representation, and transformation and its commitment to ensuring the stage remains a home for all.

At the Milan Olympics, a renewed emphasis on choreography and expression is prompting questions about whether figure skating is entering a new era of dance-driven artistry.

After a historic blizzard turned New York City into a winter canvas, one Brooklyn park erupted into an outdoor gallery of snowmen and snow sculptures that are as creative as they are cold.