District leaders are using January as a pivot point to recalibrate professional learning communities (PLCs), aligning midyear data with Multi-Tiered Systems of Support to improve Tier 1 instruction. Panels and webinars for school leaders are emphasizing diagnosis, norms and targeted winter-assessment use to drive instruction without overburdening teachers. Principals asked for targeted professional development in 2026, naming AI literacy, instructional leadership and teacher support as priority skills. School leaders say PD must be practical — showing how to integrate AI for managerial tasks and classroom practice while protecting academic integrity and student well-being.