How the federal government shutdown affects K-12

Grant-making activities and OCR investigations will cease during the shutdown, but school systems will still be able to draw down most funds.

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

From the return of previously canceled federal school grants to an FCC vote on the E-rate program, what did you learn from our recent stories?

4 ways a Minnesota school addresses mental health through art

The FAIR School for Arts emphasizes students’ skill development in perseverance, communication and creativity through arts instruction.

A growing number of state bills target sex education, report says

Of more than 650 state-level bills on the topic, nearly a quarter sought to pare back or remove access, a SIECUS report found.

Education Department can cut half of OCR staff for now, appeals court rules

The order comes as the agency was complying with a prior court order to return laid-off Office for Civil Rights staffers back to work.

FCC removes school bus Wi-Fi, hotspots from E-rate

The Federal Communications Commission vote reverses a Biden administration expansion of federal discounts for internet services for schools and libraries.

Updated Sept. 30, 2025

Civil rights commissioners mixed on special educator shortage solutions

One member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights questioned whether there was enough information to call the shortage a crisis.

Only 18 states differentiate compensation for special education teachers

And just eight differentiate pay for English learner instructors, despite the challenge of recruiting and retaining in these high-need fields, NCTQ said.

Court revives White former NYC district administrator’s bias case over allegedly racist DEI training

Federal courts have increasingly been asked to weigh the legality of diversity, equity and inclusion training amid a broader backlash against DEI programs.

Education Department brings back mental health grants

The agency issued new priorities for the funding after having canceled the grants for not aligning with Trump administration priorities.

The 2026-27 FAFSA launches a week ahead of schedule

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon praised the rollout as the earliest in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid’s history. 

Week In Review: Unprepared graduates and superintendent stress

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from literacy for students with disabilities to our fifth annual roundup of Rising Leaders.

FCC to vote Sept. 30 on removing school bus Wi-Fi, hotspots from E-rate

The pending vote comes at a time when school districts have expressed high demand for these additional internet services.

Updated Sept. 26, 2025

Superintendents report reduced stress levels

Budgeting is the top stressor for small district leaders while those in large districts point to politics, according to Rand Corp.

School facility governance standard aims to improve fairness, boost rental revenue

Outdated and inconsistent facilities rental policies result in some larger school districts leaving millions on the table, says one facilities rental executive.

AI ‘companions’ pose risks to student mental health. What can schools do?

As experts warn about the prevalence of AI companions among children and teens, schools can help their students use AI tools in alternative, safer ways.

As CTE transfers to Labor Department, here’s what schools need to know

The Trump administration said the interagency agreement will streamline services. Critics say it will add confusion and inefficiencies.

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

From an urgent call by school nurses to high schoolers’ readiness for the workforce, what did you learn from our recent stories?

Cuts to Title III and civil rights enforcement will harm English learners, report says

Proposed funding cuts, mass layoffs and rescinded guidance stand to reduce educational access, according to Children’s Equity Project.

Momentum builds in schools for team-based staffing models

Teacher teams, where multiple educators instruct up to 100 students, are increasingly shaking up how K-12 leaders view classroom instruction.

Literacy for students with learning disabilities requires balance

Explicit, systematic instruction is also critical for students with dyslexia, ADHD and other learning disabilities, says one expert.

Just how integral is calculus to college readiness?

Higher education experts say viewing the math course as a proxy for rigor presents equity-related and pedagogical problems.

Texas districts sued for implementing Ten Commandments law

The lawsuit comes after warnings from ACLU and others that districts could be sued even if they are not bound by recent court orders.

Hawaii to weigh redistricting before consolidating schools

The state’s board of education was set to decide soon whether to conduct a consolidation study, but now alternative options are being explored first.

4 in 5 hiring managers say high schoolers not prepared for workforce

A majority of 500 hiring managers surveyed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce say there should be more business courses in high school.