Educational Leadership, ASCD's flagship journal, is intended for everyone interested in preK–12 education issues, including curriculum, instruction, supervision, and leadership. Each issue contains articles written by educators for educators. We particularly look for articles that inspire improved teaching and learning.
Educational Leadership is known for its theme issues. The more appropriate an article is for a theme issue, the more likely it is that we will be able to publish it. We also accept articles on non-theme-related topics if the subject is compelling and timely.
The EL editorial staff makes all decisions regarding publication. ASCD reserves the right to reject material, whether solicited or otherwise, if it lacks quality or timeliness. ASCD offers no remuneration for articles.
What We Look For
The best way to determine what kinds of articles we publish is to read the magazine.
Most published articles are between 1,500 and 2,500 words, are written in a conversational style, and cover topics that are useful for preK–12 educators. These are some of the qualities we look for:
- Articles describing research-based solutions to current problems in education
- Reasoned debate on controversial subjects
- Opinion pieces that interweave experiences and ideas
- Program descriptions (school, district, or state)
- Practical examples that illustrate key points
- An emphasis on explaining and interpreting research results rather than on methodology
- International contributions
We are not looking for term papers or reviews of literature, and we rarely publish conventional research reports. We cannot review drafts and usually do not find query letters helpful; we prefer to read the manuscript. We do not publish articles that have been previously published, in print or electronic form. While your article is under review with us, we ask that you not submit it to another publication or post it on a website or blog—not even your own.
Please submit your manuscript under the appropriate upcoming theme category. If you wish to submit an article to be considered for the ASCD Blog, please submit your piece under the "Submit an ASCD Blog Post" category" below.
We encourage creativity and innovative approaches to writing—but also good sourcing! Work submitted to Educational Leadership must be original to the author(s) and not previously published in any format. Any use of material from generative artificial intelligence tools must be disclosed; text that is based on AI-based research or excerpted from AI responses must be clearly and appropriately cited using APA style: https://apastyle.apa.org/blog/how-to-cite-chatgpt
Please do not submit the same manuscript under multiple categories--duplications will be withdrawn from consideration.
For more information about the submission and editing process, please visit our web site.
What Makes Educators Stay?
Teacher and leader turnover remains a pressing challenge for schools, affecting student learning and school culture. This issue will highlight high-impact practices and strategies—from career pathways and collaborative decision-making to changes in instructional support—that schools and districts use to retain top talent.
Submissions Due: May 1, 2025
How to Prepare Your Manuscript
- Double-space all copy and number all pages.
- Indicate the number of words in the manuscript, including references and figures.
- Include your name, address, phone number, and email address at the top of the manuscript. Also include names and email addresses of any coauthors.
- Include a two- or three-sentence bio for each author at the end of the manuscript.
We use the reference style outlined by the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Cite references in the text like this (Jones, 2024) and list them in a bibliography at the end of the article. Please do not use footnotes or endnotes for the references.
Authors bear full responsibility for the accuracy of citations, quotations, figures, and facts.
A New Era for Assessment
Testing is at a crossroads. This issue will explore how educators and leaders can leverage advancements in technology and new thinking on measurement and feedback to create assessments that are more authentic, growth-oriented, and relevant to teaching and learning.
Submissions Due: June 2, 2025
How to Prepare Your Manuscript
- Double-space all copy and number all pages.
- Indicate the number of words in the manuscript, including references and figures.
- Include your name, address, phone number, and email address at the top of the manuscript. Also include names and email addresses of any coauthors.
- Include a two- or three-sentence bio for each author at the end of the manuscript.
We use the reference style outlined by the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Cite references in the text like this (Jones, 2024) and list them in a bibliography at the end of the article. Please do not use footnotes or endnotes for the references.
Authors bear full responsibility for the accuracy of citations, quotations, figures, and facts.
The Power of Less in Schools
Now more than ever, education has a “too much” problem. This issue will explore how leaders can thoughtfully pare down priorities and processes to create more coherent, innovative, and sustainable teaching and learning environments.
Submissions Due: July 1, 2025
How to Prepare Your Manuscript
- Double-space all copy and number all pages.
- Indicate the number of words in the manuscript, including references and figures.
- Include your name, address, phone number, and email address at the top of the manuscript. Also include names and email addresses of any coauthors.
- Include a two- or three-sentence bio for each author at the end of the manuscript.
We use the reference style outlined by the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Cite references in the text like this (Jones, 2024) and list them in a bibliography at the end of the article. Please do not use footnotes or endnotes for the references.
Authors bear full responsibility for the accuracy of citations, quotations, figures, and facts.
Engaging Struggling Learners
Every student deserves vibrant, challenging instruction that sparks curiosity and builds confidence. Yet, students who are below grade level often face a diminished curriculum of remedial drills and simplified content—practices that can trigger cycles of disengagement. This issue will explore how schools are providing greater support for teachers and making learning more engaging, authentic, and challenge-driven.
Submissions Due: September 2, 2025
How to Prepare Your Manuscript
- Double-space all copy and number all pages.
- Indicate the number of words in the manuscript, including references and figures.
- Include your name, address, phone number, and email address at the top of the manuscript. Also include names and email addresses of any coauthors.
- Include a two- or three-sentence bio for each author at the end of the manuscript.
We use the reference style outlined by the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Cite references in the text like this (Jones, 2024) and list them in a bibliography at the end of the article. Please do not use footnotes or endnotes for the references.
Authors bear full responsibility for the accuracy of citations, quotations, figures, and facts.
Literacy in the Age of AI
Advancements in generative artificial intelligence have profound implications for teaching reading and writing—and for how we define literacy today. This issue will explore how educators can leverage AI tools to improve basic skills development, enhance creativity and critical thinking in reading and writing projects, and expand possibilities for discovery and deeper engagement in literacy learning.
Submissions Due: October 1, 2025
How to Prepare Your Manuscript
- Double-space all copy and number all pages.
- Indicate the number of words in the manuscript, including references and figures.
- Include your name, address, phone number, and email address at the top of the manuscript. Also include names and email addresses of any coauthors.
- Include a two- or three-sentence bio for each author at the end of the manuscript.
We use the reference style outlined by the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Cite references in the text like this (Jones, 2024) and list them in a bibliography at the end of the article. Please do not use footnotes or endnotes for the references.
Authors bear full responsibility for the accuracy of citations, quotations, figures, and facts.
Igniting Curiosity in Schools
Students are naturally curious. This issue will unpack how educators can tap into this innate drive to transform learning from passive to passionate. Topics will include igniting wonder across disciplines, designing student-led inquiry projects, leveraging curiosity-driven questions, and nurturing student exploration.
Submissions Due: November 3, 2025
How to Prepare Your Manuscript
- Double-space all copy and number all pages.
- Indicate the number of words in the manuscript, including references and figures.
- Include your name, address, phone number, and email address at the top of the manuscript. Also include names and email addresses of any coauthors.
- Include a two- or three-sentence bio for each author at the end of the manuscript.
We use the reference style outlined by the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Cite references in the text like this (Jones, 2024) and list them in a bibliography at the end of the article. Please do not use footnotes or endnotes for the references.
Authors bear full responsibility for the accuracy of citations, quotations, figures, and facts.
Putting the “Professional” Back in PD
Great teaching deserves more than “drive-by” PD. This issue will examine how to transform professional learning from a passive experience into a dynamic, teacher-driven process that creates lasting impact in classrooms and boosts educators’ sense of efficacy and growth.
Submissions Due: December 1, 2025
How to Prepare Your Manuscript
- Double-space all copy and number all pages.
- Indicate the number of words in the manuscript, including references and figures.
- Include your name, address, phone number, and email address at the top of the manuscript. Also include names and email addresses of any coauthors.
- Include a two- or three-sentence bio for each author at the end of the manuscript.
We use the reference style outlined by the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Cite references in the text like this (Jones, 2024) and list them in a bibliography at the end of the article. Please do not use footnotes or endnotes for the references.
Authors bear full responsibility for the accuracy of citations, quotations, figures, and facts.
ASCD is committed to highlighting diverse voices in education and fostering a dynamic community of passionate thinkers who share ideas around problems of practice and leadership. To further these aims, we welcome submissions for blog posts on best practices, innovative and creative approaches, and ideas in K–12 education.
Short blog posts (600-1,200 words) should be written in an approachable, conversational, inviting, nonacademic style. They should be directed toward an audience of practicing educators—including school and district leaders, instructional coaches and learning coordinators, and teachers—and focus on one or more of ASCD's core topic areas: curriculum and instruction; equity and cultural competency; leadership and management; social-emotional learning; technology; and whole child education.
What We Look For
In general, we look for pieces that are timely and topical, addressing current issues and problems of practice in the field in a concise, conversational, and lively manner. Blog posts should also be solution-oriented and grounded in authentic educational practice and evidence. Here are some examples of the types of online content we publish:
- Best practice pieces on instructional or leadership strategies that offer immediate takeaways for readers.
- Blog posts focused on specific problems of practice in a school community (whether at the classroom or leadership level) and proposed or attempted solutions.
- Pieces highlighting or responding to recent developments, controversies, or research findings in the field.
- Blog posts responding to current events and their implications for schools and educators.
- Personal stories on professional challenges or successes.
- Blog posts for school leaders (including teacher leaders) highlighting ideas and approaches to systemwide change and impact.
- Blog posts focused on ideas and improvements in educator professional development.
- Some of our most widely read topics include instructional strategies, engagement, leadership, professional learning, equity, curriculum, technology, school culture, assessment, classroom management, policy, and social-emotional learning.
What We Don't Want
Types of content we are not likely to publish on the ASCD Blog include research reviews or reports; press releases or product promotions; organizational position/policy statements (including those masked as articles); and attack pieces or political rants. Our style is friendly, conversational, and relaxed. While evidence-based and substantive, the articles we publish are not academic in style and do not use excessive jargon or insider terms.
We encourage creativity and innovative approaches to writing—but also good sourcing! Work submitted to the ASCD Blog must be original to the author(s) and not previously published in any format. Any use of material from generative artificial intelligence tools must be disclosed; text that is based on AI-based research or excerpted from AI responses must be clearly and appropriately cited using APA style: https://apastyle.apa.org/blog/how-to-cite-chatgpt
We cannot accept pitches for guest posts--please submit the complete manuscript.
ASCD reserves the right to reject material, whether solicited or otherwise, on the basis of its evaluative criteria and current content needs. ASCD offers no remuneration for online articles.
Please do not include attachments of photos or artwork with your submission. Images will be discussed during the editing process as needed.
Please allow one month for a response before querying about the status of your submission.
We look forward to reading your work!