How to protect students’ mental health during active shooter drills

Researchers suggest using trauma-informed practices and banning hyper-realistic simulations.

Financial turmoil roils state universal school meal programs

Schools in Colorado and Michigan are entering the new academic year unsure of how long they’ll be able to continue serving free meals to all students.

Federal judge halts Education Department’s anti-DEI measures

The ruling puts a stop to efforts to withhold federal funding from schools that maintained race-based programming.

3 risk factors making states vulnerable to federal funding cuts

The fiscal uncertainty is due to states' reliance on federal money and their proportions of high-need districts and students living in poverty, ERS says.

Week In Review: Enrollment dips, immigration enforcement weigh on schools

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from renewed mascot debates to court battles impacting schools.

Federal judge stands by order requiring OCR be restored

The Trump administration is appealing Judge Myong Joun’s decision requiring the Office for Civil Rights to revert to “the status quo.”

Education Department proposes removing trans, nonbinary student categories from mandated data collection

The Civil Rights Data Collection is used to inform civil rights compliance and discrimination investigations.

LAUSD emphasizes virtual school, safe zones after student detention

Unidentified immigration agents handcuffed a student at gunpoint “in an alleged case of mistaken identity” just before the new school year begins.

Austin ISD eyes school consolidations as enrollment keeps dropping

After losing over 10,000 students in the past decade, the district is evaluating buildings for capacity, cost and condition before proposing closures.

School district asks court to reel in EEOC charge it called a ‘fishing expedition’

The lawsuit alleged that then-Commissioner Andrea Lucas issued an “overly broad and vague” discrimination charge that exceeded the agency’s authority.

How music education can help improve literacy

Music education’s benefits for student literacy and development are particularly important in the early grades, experts say.

Middle school students need strong, tailored reading instruction, NWEA says

High-quality assessments and flexible scheduling are among factors that could help boost literacy skills for middle schoolers, according to a new report.

Trump ICE policies create student trauma — but schools can help, researchers say

Recent enforcement policy changes are resulting in absenteeism, disengagement, and social isolation, according to psychiatric researchers.

AI carries potential to transform both student and teacher

Educators have an opportunity to learn to use artificial intelligence early and work with students on best classroom uses, writes a middle school teacher.

7th Circuit revives Christian teacher’s religious accommodation claim

The teacher had asked to call all students by their last names rather than use transgender students’ chosen names.

Racist if you do, racist if you don’t: The Native American mascot controversy

As districts grapple with state laws and policies meant to curb the imagery, the Trump administration is calling those measures discriminatory.

Communicate budget uncertainty early and often, district leaders advise

Two school district leaders shared how they’re navigating a fast-changing federal policy landscape in a recent TNTP webinar.

ICE apprehends parent during morning student drop-off hours

The incident in California’s Chula Vista Elementary School District adds to other known incidents of ICE activity during school pick-ups and drop-offs.

Week In Review: Enrollment concerns weigh on districts and Houston makes progress

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from school choice in special education to Atlanta’s plans to address empty seats.

Why this New Jersey school requires parents to volunteer

Officials at LEAP Academy University School say they work with families to ensure the annual 40 hours of volunteer work aren’t burdensome.

Florida district won’t rehire teacher in LGBTQ+ controversy over student’s preferred name

The veteran teacher, whose license was in jeopardy, settled with the state for a $750 fine and a year of probation, among other consequences.

Bellwether warns of school closures, consolidations ahead

The nonprofit's analysis suggests enrollment declines may have cost the nation's 100 largest districts $5.2 billion.

UNITED ‘25: Principals explore solutions to pressing K-12 challenges

School principals gathered in Seattle in July to address a wide range of issues including chronic absenteeism and school safety.

‘Bold and necessary effort’: Atlanta Public Schools stares down empty seats

The district is considering everything from closing buildings and redistricting to consolidations and mergers amid a dip in student population.

How can colleges help solve the special educator shortage?

Speakers at this week’s OSEP conference highlighted an Illinois teacher apprenticeship program and technical assistance for minority serving institutions.