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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 K-12 issues on state ballots to the USDA’s plans to eliminate a financial barrier for low-income families, what did you learn from our recent stories?

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    Permission granted by Lisa Ha
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    Students learn the value of civic engagement and constructive dialogue

    A project-based, 12th grade seminar at a Virginia private school teaches about respectful dialogue — and leaving debates behind when class ends.

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    Daniel de la Hoz via Getty Images
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    As AAPI studies expand nationwide, ethnic studies can provide inroads

    A dozen states now require Asian American and Pacific Islander studies curriculum, according to a report from the nonprofit Committee of 100.

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    Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Trump wins second term: What could it mean for K-12?

    Trump has promised to undo the Biden administration’s Title IX rules and proposed eliminating the Education Department, among other changes.

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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    How to use election outcome to teach about regulating emotions

    Student support experts recommend schools validate students' emotions and encourage respectful dialogue.

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    The image by MARELBU is licensed under CC BY 3.0
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    California State University pilots direct admissions program

    The 461,000-student system will inform certain public high school students in Riverside County that they’ve been automatically accepted to 10 campuses. 

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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    3 ways school leaders are promoting unity during a tense election

    School culture and student supports are key in administrators' messages to families ahead of 2024 election results.

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    Kenishirotie via Getty Images
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    SCOTUS hears case that could broaden FCC E-rate protections for schools

    The case considers whether reimbursement requests submitted to the E-rate program are “claims” under the False Claims Act.

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    Illustration: Cathryn Virginia for Industry Dive

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    STAFFED UP

    Majority of states see decrease in student-teacher ratios post-COVID

    Just eight states had more students per teacher post-pandemic, per a K-12 Dive analysis of NCES data. What does that say about teacher shortages?

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    PeopleImages via Getty Images
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    From Zzzs to A’s: Classroom lessons focus on good sleep habits

    Curricula can help students build healthy habits, such as putting smartphones away before bed and using trackers or activities that promote good sleep, experts say.

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    Stock Photo via Getty Images
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    After-school meal participation is on the rise

    The total number of students served is still low, according to FRAC, though participation in after-school suppers increased 6.4% between 2022 and 2023.

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    TW Farlow via Getty Images
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    Energy Department program helps school districts decarbonize

    Benchmarking and retrofit implementation are among categories in which districts can apply for recognition in the Efficient and Healthy Schools Program.

  • Two IT staff members at Des Moines Public Schools in Iowa are shown working at computers in a server room following a ransomware attack targeting the school district.
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    Retrieved from Des Moines Public Schools/X.
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    EDUCATION EXTORTION

    4 key strategies for school ransomware prevention and response

    Using state and federal supports and embracing a people-first approach are among the most crucial best practices, school district tech leaders say.

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    Stock Photo via Getty Images
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    USDA to eliminate school meal ‘junk fees’ for low-income families

    Schools will not be allowed to charge online processing fees to students eligible for free and reduced-price meals starting in the 2027-28 school year.

  • Alejandro Mayorkas, Miguel Cardona and Jill Biden stand in the center of the East Room of the White House between two screens that read “Back to School Safely: Cybersecurity for K-12 Schools.”
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    Dufour, Tia. (2023). Retrieved from Flickr.
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    EDUCATION EXTORTION

    K-12 cyber incident reporting is coming. Here’s what we know.

    Questions — like what CISA will do with districts' information — remain for K-12 cybersecurity experts as the federal agency finalizes reporting requirements.

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    SDI Productions via Getty Images
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    Older struggling readers can benefit from explicit decoding instruction

    Early and targeted interventions are critical in helping these students understand increasingly complex tests, a study finds.

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    Vladimir Vladimirov via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    School censorship laws undermine Black and brown students and educators

    Education that ignores students’ history and culture cannot inspire and nurture them, a Memphis educator writes.

  • Tony Dotts works at his desk with two computer monitors. The screen on the left reads “Cybersecurity Awareness Month.”
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    Permission granted by Tony Dotts
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    EDUCATION EXTORTION

    How to navigate the rising cost of cyber insurance for schools

    As districts face increased premiums for covering ransomware threats, cybersecurity experts suggest leaders read the fine print of insurance policies.

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    Stock Photo via Getty Images
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    Most applicants consider E-rate vital, but want cybersecurity supports, too

    New survey findings come amid uncertainty for the popular program after a court struck down a funding mechanism for the Universal Service Fund.

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    Светлана Зайцева via Getty Images
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    Daylight saving time ends this weekend. What does it mean for schools?

    Proponents of a switch to year-round standard time say more daylight when students are coming to school in the mornings would increase safety.

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    Cedar Attanasio/AP

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    EDUCATION EXTORTION

    What Albuquerque Public Schools learned from a cyberattack

    The New Mexico school district shored up defenses after a "devastating" 2022 experience and is working with partners to prevent another crisis.

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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    What’s on state ballots for education in the 2024 elections

    In addition to voting for president next week, voters in some areas will decide on issues such as school choice and education finance.

  • A photo illustration of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump shoulder to shoulder facing away from each other. The background is a purple wave with a grid gradient.
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    Photo illustration: Industry Dive; Joe Readle/Getty Images; Brandon Bell/Getty Images

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    Election 2024: Where Harris, Trump stand on AI regulation

    Analysts expect Kamala Harris to largely continue the current approach to AI oversight, while Donald Trump’s promise to repeal a Biden executive order signals a major shift.

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    Photo illustration: Industry Dive; K12 Six

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    EDUCATION EXTORTION

    School ransomware attacks are on the rise. What can districts do?

    Cyberattacks inflict logistical, legal and financial damage on schools — and take an emotional and physical toll on their communities.

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    Milena Khosroshvili via Getty Images
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    Keys to teaching data literacy in elementary school

    Tracking the weather and tapping into a child’s natural curiosity are ways to build young learners' understanding of data, math instruction experts say.