The Latest

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    Congress extends Autism CARES Act for 5 more years

    The federal law will provide nearly $2 billion for research, training and services, including for early detection and interventions.

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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    POP QUIZ

    Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

    From the Education Department’s withdrawal of a proposed rule to the latest school shooting data trends, what did you learn from our recent stories?

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    Michael Smith via Getty Images
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    ACLU warns Louisiana superintendents not to post Ten Commandments in classrooms

    Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill had advised district leaders not impacted by a lawsuit to display the commandments per a new state law.

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    PeopleImages via Getty Images
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    Mental health crisis demands greater coordination between schools, pediatricians

    Increased access to youth behavioral health and substance abuse services is needed, says a report from the Bipartisan Policy Center.

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    Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images
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    Can advancing all 9th graders to algebra improve math outcomes?

    A California district found that higher expectations for low-performing students boosted math achievement, according to a recent study.

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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    How to help students understand where food comes from — and the role tech plays

    From Adopt A Cow programs to getting hands-on with crops, a variety of resources can illustrate how food gets from farm to shelf.

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    Tashi-Delek via Getty Images
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    House Republicans prioritize bill to restrict transgender students’ sports participation

    Lawmakers reintroduced a proposal that would prevent transgender girls from competing on sports teams aligning with their gender identity.

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    Permission granted by Teamsters Local 2010
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    Principal, administrator unions rising steadily since COVID

    As more school leaders are joining unions for the first time, some in large school systems like LAUSD are looking to strengthen bargaining power.

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    xavierarnau via Getty Images
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    ESA programs getting underway in Alabama, Louisiana

    The new state programs come as private school choice initiatives continue to gain traction and as a choice-friendly administration enters the White House.

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    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    How a New Jersey principal is tackling middle school literacy gaps

    Thelma Ramsey-Bryant and her team have worked to make remedial reading tasks feel age-appropriate and to identify connections to student behavior.

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    triocean via Getty Images
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    Supply chain woes appear to ease for school nutrition programs

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that school food service authorities continue to deal with staffing challenges and financial sustainability.

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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Trump wants to nix the Education Department. He should rebrand it instead.

    The president-elect should reimagine the agency as the Department of American Competitiveness, one communications expert argued. 

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    FatCamera via Getty Images
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    Ed Dept pulls school-based Medicaid proposed rule

    Supporters had said they hoped a new rule would reduce schools’ paperwork burdens and increase reimbursements.

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    Halfpoint via Getty Images
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    19% jump in Community Eligibility Provision participation expands free school meals

    Half of all National School Lunch Program schools now use the program that lets low-income schools serve meals to all students at no cost, FRAC found.

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    Ridofranz via Getty Images
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    How does exclusionary discipline affect student mental health?

    Suspensions and expulsions can lead to higher rates of depression through early adulthood, according to research from the University of Arkansas.

  • An adult sits on a carpeted floor in a classroom. They are surrounded by young children who are looking at a large picture book in the adult's lap.
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    Permission granted by San Gabriel Unified School District
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    California district-college partnerships tackle teacher shortage for transitional kindergarten

    A state law requiring all districts to provide the bridge year means that more educators are needed to staff these classrooms.

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    iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
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    STUDY HALL

    What you need to know about Title IX

    The federal civil rights law barring sex discrimination in schools is a frequent target of policy ping-pong between presidential administrations.

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    alfexe via Getty Images
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    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    5 insights from top school administrators in 2024

    We’ve highlighted key takeaways on parent engagement, student voice, pursuing change and more from this year’s conversations.

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    Permission granted by Jimmy Carter Presidential Library
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    Jimmy Carter, who oversaw the Education Department’s creation, dies at age 100

    Before a private interment in Plains, Georgia, there will be public observances in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., according to The Carter Center.

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    SolStock via Getty Images
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    Education Department withdraws proposed Title IX athletics rule

    The administration cited legal challenges and public comment in pulling the controversial regulation as the presidency is about to change hands.

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    nirat via Getty Images
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    High school graduation rates held steady in 2022-23

    However, average rates showed racial and ethnic disparities, according to newly released National Center for Education Statistics data.

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    Illustration: Cathryn Virginia for Industry Dive

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    STAFFED UP

    3 K-12 staffing lessons learned in 2024

    Schools continue to navigate persistent workforce challenges, including a shortage of special education teachers and gaps in diversity.

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    diane39 via Getty Images
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    How to use curriculum to support students after extended absences

    Chronic or prolonged absences require additional consideration and planning to help students who miss class regain lost ground.

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    Purdue9394 via Getty Images
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    Where could Trump tariffs hit school budgets?

    An economist says the president-elect’s proposed import taxes could drive up material costs and impact K-12 capital projects.

  • A yellow school bus is parked outside. A handful of students wearing rain jackets and backpacks are getting on the bus.
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    FatCamera via Getty Images
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    What are the greatest barriers to school choice?

    Opportunity gaps impact students from a variety of backgrounds in both public and private school choice programs, a CRPE report says.