Federal judge halts layoffs, anti-DEI measures at Head Start

Mass cuts and prohibitions on diversity, equity and inclusion put the program in an “impossible situation,” District Court Judge Ricardo Martinez wrote.

6 trends to watch for K-12 in 2026

Enrollment concerns, growing school choice competition, data privacy and new federal policy priorities are among a slew of challenges facing public schools.

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

From the release of updated dietary guidelines to another potential K-12 case headed to the U.S. Supreme Court, what did you learn from our recent stories?

DOL clarifies FMLA’s stance on travel time, school closure in opinion letters

While the law protects time spent traveling to appointments, it doesn’t encompass stops for unrelated activities, the labor department noted.

Iowa first state awarded ESEA waiver under Trump administration

While some say the waiver will reduce federal red tape, others are concerned about lowered standards and less accountability.

Should schools reveal students’ LGBTQ+ identity to parents? Teachers to ask the Supreme Court to decide

A legal battle in California could determine whether parental notification of student pronoun and name changes is constitutional.

Texas Education Agency sued over probes into teachers’ Charlie Kirk posts

Commissioner Mike Morath urged superintendents in September to report teachers who were critical of Kirk on social media, Texas AFT said.

New dietary guidelines: More protein, fewer ultra-processed foods

School meals must eventually align with federal nutrition standards informed by the Trump administration's 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

How to reacclimate students after winter break

Taking time to reestablish routines — and perhaps forge new ones — can help educators engage learners as school resumes.

Challenges persist for CTE programs, report finds

Some 40% of programs struggle to find employer partnerships, and 66% of CTE leaders say students lack awareness of options, YouScience data shows.

14M children lived in households with food insecurity in 2024

The Trump administration announced last year that the USDA would no longer produce future “redundant, costly” reports on household food insecurity.

Lawsuits challenge $60M cancellation of community schools grants

The complaints from the American Federation of Teachers and three state attorneys general cite the funds’ impact on rural and low-income communities.

Can schools handle federal calls for fewer ultra-processed foods?

Some 95% of school nutrition directors are concerned about the financial sustainability of their meal programs, School Nutrition Association data shows.

Government abandons RIFs impacting Education Department employees during shutdown

Here’s a timeline tracing the Trump administration's efforts to slash the U.S. Education Department's workforce.

Updated Jan. 5, 2026

CDC, following Trump’s orders, weakens US stance on childhood vaccinations

In a drastic decision made outside of its typical review process, the agency declared it would recommend 11 childhood shots going forward, down from 17.

Trump can order employers to pay extra H-1B fee, court holds

President Donald Trump can impose the $100,000 fine under the Immigration and Nationality Act’s “exceedingly broad language,” a judge ruled.

Tracking the Supreme Court’s impact on K-12 schools

We’ve gathered cases since the high court’s 2019-20 term to measure the justices’ footprint in schools.

Updated Jan. 14, 2026

Private school choice threatens public school experiences, says EdTrust CEO

Public funding for students and schools must be protected to preserve equitable learning opportunities, Denise Forte writes.

Pre-K teachers speak out about AI, instructional materials, training and pay in surveys

Rand research indicates teachers of young students want and need more training in ed tech, curricula and supporting diverse learners.

Cancellation of mental health grants ruled unlawful

A federal judge required the Education Department to reinstate the grants in 16 states and barred the agency from issuing new priorities for the programs. 

5 lessons learned from top school administrators in 2025

We’re highlighting key insights on ed tech adoption, remediation services, community engagement and more from this year’s conversations.

NAEP innovations on track despite NCES layoffs

The Education Department said it "continues to pursue cutting-edge innovations" and that NAEP will be administered primarily on school devices next year.

Oklahoma Supreme Court strikes down controversial social studies standards

The standards were already on pause, but the court ruled this week that the state board of education violated the law in creating and adopting them. 

What changed — or not — for K-12 staffing in 2025?

Between enrollment and budget challenges and the Trump administration targeting anti-DEI staffing policies, districts navigated rocky terrain this year.

Final Exam: Test yourself on the past year’s K-12 news

From the downsizing of the U.S. Department of Education to a data breach that impacted over 60 million students, what did you learn from our stories in 2025?