The Latest

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    Illustration: Cathryn Virginia for Industry Dive

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    STAFFED UP

    How is the STEM teacher pipeline faring in high-need schools?

    Raising teacher pay and investing in a federal scholarship program could help with recruitment and retention, research suggests.

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    Week In Review: Web accessibility rules and federal school choice

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from limits on tech in schools to the latest on book challenges.

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    Permission granted by XanderShots
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    How school coaches are prioritizing mental health for student athletes

    To get the best out of students, "we have to learn to love them holistically," says one Virginia wrestling coach who has taken mental health awareness training.

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    SDI Productions via Getty Images
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    State-supported pre-K enrollment at record high

    But only six states met all 10 of NIEER's quality benchmarks in 2025, according to the organization’s State of Preschool report released Wednesday.

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    Brandon Bell/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Texas can require schools to display 10 Commandments, 5th Circuit says

    The decision is a win for conservatives who have sought to incorporate religion in public schools — and brings the issue one step closer to the Supreme Court.

  • A large group of people stands holding signs that read, "We love our immigrant families and stay out of our schools, ICE."
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    Kerem Yücel/Minnesota Public Radio/AP

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    Tracker

    ICE activity on K-12 school grounds

    The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said immigration enforcement actions at schools should be "extremely rare." Here's where they’re happening.

    Updated April 23, 2026
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    LAUSD imposes screen time limits starting in 2026-27

    One Los Angeles Unified School District board member said the policy curbing technology use in schools will “help lead the nation” on similar efforts.

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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    POP QUIZ

    Test yourself on the past week’s K-12 news

    From extended web accessibility deadlines to a Supreme Court case on universal pre-K, what did you learn from our recent stories?

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    2025 broke record for censorship: Less than 3% of book challenges came from parents

    Groups or government officials initiated 92% of challenges, and two-thirds overall ended in removals, according to an American Library Association report.

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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    27 states want to opt into federal school choice program

    States are awaiting rules defining a formal process to join the program, which is set to launch Jan. 1, 2027.

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    How creepy crawlies can unlock science curiosity for young learners

    Insects and bugs can provide an inroad to lessons on nature while helping students — and sometimes teachers — overcome fears in the process.

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    Arkansas law boosted teacher pay — and retention

    Research from the University of Arkansas, however, warns that the impacts from these raises will “fade over time” if they’re not sustained.

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    Archive Photos via Getty Images
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    When is best to introduce students to Shakespeare?

    Though some educators see opportunities in middle and even upper elementary grades, others say the Bard is best reserved for high school.

  • Protesters for and against transgender athletes competing in women's sports gather outside the Supreme Court on January 13, 2026 in Washington, DC.
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    Heather Diehl via Getty Images
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    SCOTUS takes up whether preschools can exclude children of gay parents

    Plaintiffs say Colorado’s universal pre-K program requiring equal access to enrollment despite sexual orientation is religious discrimination.

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    Carlos Barquero Perez via Getty Images
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    Schools get another year to comply with web accessibility deadlines

    Reactions were mixed to the U.S. Department of Justice’s extension for digitally accessible content managed by state and local government entities.

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    We want to hear about your school district’s rising leaders

    Tell us about the standout assistant principals and district administrators who are fueling achievement, positive culture and innovation in your schools.

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    Women education leaders: Stress and access inhibit advancement

    "Crisis-level" work-life balance, and women being “held to a different set of expectations,” are cited in a Women Leading Ed survey.

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    Permission granted by Donna Independent School District
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    A Texas district closed 2 schools. How innovation made it a smoother process.

    Donna Independent School District credits the launch of its innovative academies for helping parents adjust to two elementary schools closing.

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    BlackJack3D via Getty Images
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    Week in Review: Education Department defines AI grant priorities

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from how special education fared in Trump’s budget proposal to more Bibles in the classroom.

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    Roger Riddell/K-12 Dive
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    COSN '26

    Here’s how small districts can be cyber-ready on a budget

    Three K-12 tech leaders detailed a five-point model and a variety of free and shared resources at CoSN’s annual conference.

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    Roger Riddell/K-12 Dive
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    COSN '26

    How an Ohio district built data privacy into culture

    When it comes to protecting data, “don’t do anything behind closed doors,” an official from Ohio’s Westlake City Schools told CoSN attendees.

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    SDI Productions via Getty Images
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    OCR investigating Texas district’s plan to move special education class

    OCR will look into whether the New Home Independent School District violated Section 504 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

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    diane39 via Getty Images
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    5 ways schools can reduce chronic absenteeism and boost student engagement

    Culturally relevant teaching and strong family connections are two ways schools are increasing attendance, says a University of Oregon report.

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    Should the Bible be part of public school curriculum? The momentum is building.

    A push for Bible instruction may become the next wave of curriculum policies sweeping through the nation, as more states consider such legislation.

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    Phynart Studio via Getty Images
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    Inside Trump’s 3.5% budget boost for special education

    The FY27 budget proposal, however, would make changes that have advocates concerned about accountability and federal supports.