States say Education Department not following mental health grant orders

The department is only providing grant recipients with six months of funding rather than a full year, the plaintiff states said in recent court documents.

Court doesn’t buy school district’s defense for not complying with race bias settlement

Georgia’s Echols County School district argued “qualified immunity” meant it couldn’t be sued for refusing to implement changes.

Education Department moves to shift student loan, FAFSA duties to Treasury

The U.S. Department of Treasury plans to take “operational responsibility” for defaulted loans before eventually managing the entire $1.7 trillion portfolio. 

Week In Review: Outcomes-based ed tech contracts and K-12 policies in court

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from governors prioritizing special education to federal support for the science of reading.

Republican reps eye SCOTUS ruling on undocumented children in schools

Plyler v. Doe, which critics say burdens school resources, guarantees undocumented immigrants a free public education under the 14th Amendment.

More middle and high schoolers are leaning on AI for homework

At the same time, students fear that using the technology to help with assignments will hinder their critical thinking skills, a Rand Corp. survey found.

OCR: District of Columbia discriminated against students with disabilities

DCPS says it is committed to ensuring students with disabilities receive services guaranteed to them under federal law.

Judge orders Texas to open school choice program to Islamic schools

The ruling also extends the application window for families by two weeks, in a case brought by Muslim families who alleged discrimination.

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

From ed tech negotiation strategies to Texas’ school choice lawsuits, what did you learn from our recent stories?

Why access to STEM must include students who learn and think differently

Designing STEM programs with neurodivergent learners in mind strengthens outcomes for all students.

Science of reading gets nod from House panel in literacy grants bill

While lawmakers were united on advancing legislation supportive of phonics, another bill that would prohibit "sexually oriented materials" drew debate.

Arkansas Ten Commandments law blocked for 6 school districts

A district court judge ruled that the only reason to require the religious tenets to be posted in every classroom is “to proselytize to children.”

Poverty, school size can hinder improvement odds, GAO reports

The number of students at comprehensive support and improvement schools grew between 2019-20 and 2022-23, an analysis found.

Classroom jobs: A way to build soft skills while saving teachers time

Roles can range from leading a class through a problem to returning papers to peers, one educator suggests.

Oklahoma AG once again at odds with state virtual charter board

His lawsuit over a Jewish public charter’s rejected application follows the board’s failed bid to approve a Catholic public charter.

Federal court blocks RFK Jr.’s moves to upend US vaccine policy

The U.S. Health and Human Services Department  ignored established protocols in altering the childhood immunization schedule, the ruling held.

Governors promote special education initiatives in annual addresses

Amid funding challenges, some state leaders draw attention to budgets and programs that support students with disabilities.

California children’s online protections law can partially take effect — for now

The 9th Circuit's ruling comes as state and federal lawmakers debate the best ways to address negative impacts of social media on youngsters.

School choice lawsuits: Muslim families allege Islamic schools excluded in Texas

Plaintiffs in two cases contend that hundreds of other private schools, including Christian schools, were approved for the program.

How districts are experimenting with outcomes-based contracts in ed tech

As school leaders try to get a handle on ed tech investments, some are looking to make payments contingent upon student achievement.

Week In Review: How states’ K-12 funding proportions have changed

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from SXSW EDU to superintendents navigating ICE activities.

Where can educators find optimism in a beleaguered K-12 system?

During a SXSW EDU session, two nonprofit leaders share what's keeping them hopeful even as the education sector faces challenges.

Districts express concerns over pending USDA updates to nutrition standards

School nutrition leaders and advocates are worried the anticipated school meal guidelines could add financial strain among other challenges.

Black students are the fastest growing demographic for Common App

Data suggests "no meaningful deviations" from previous trends after the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 decision ending race-conscious admissions.

Fort Bend ISD will close 7 elementary schools

The decision, effective in the 2026-27 school year, comes as the Texas district faces a projected $56.4 million budget deficit driven by enrollment declines.