Districts navigate smoky federal, state cannabis legislation

As more states change marijuana laws, districts are caught in a disconnect between prevention and messaging with students, as well as use by educators.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Sept. 3, 2019

High chronic absenteeism rates among special needs students raise alarms

In New York City, about 26,000 students with disabilities missed at least 20% of school days in the 2015-16 school year.

By Amelia Harper • Sept. 3, 2019

Districts working to limit students' exposure to lead in drinking water

Most states don’t require lead testing of water at schools, but some district leaders are still collecting data and reporting findings to parents.

By Amelia Harper • Sept. 3, 2019

US attorney: States can't sue feds over lunch program changes

School lunch rules championed by former first lady Michelle Obama have been relaxed, but strict requirements aren't completely eliminated.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Aug. 30, 2019

How districts are reexamining policies to encourage parental involvement

Ending fees for background checks is among steps schools are taking to remove barriers that keep parents from volunteering.

By Natalie Gross • Aug. 30, 2019

Proposed SNAP rule would affect schools that provide free meals to all

Almost 65% of schools eligible for the Community Eligibility Option now participate, according to government figures.

By Linda Jacobson • Aug. 29, 2019

Advisory group urges NYC to eliminate gifted programs, selective admissions

Data show only 10.5% of black and Latinx students get invitations to the city’s elite schools, though they make up 70% of total enrollment.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Aug. 28, 2019

More end-of-course exams linked to higher grad rates

In recent years, many states have dropped some of these tests as the popularity of requiring students to take the ACT or SAT increases.

By Linda Jacobson • Aug. 27, 2019

50 States of Ed Policy: States, districts tackle gun policies as lawmakers remain gridlocked

Among the most popular measures are those around whether to arm teachers and the hardening of school security.

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 27, 2019

Ed Dept offices to collaborate for better student civil rights data collection

The National Center for Education Statistics and Office for Civil Rights will support districts with technical assistance and training as part of improvement efforts.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Aug. 26, 2019

Decaying school facilities pose health risks to students, staff

The proposed Rebuild America's Schools Act before Congress could provide $100 billion in funding for school infrastructure, though it has seen little movement.

By Amelia Harper • Aug. 26, 2019

Report: More states setting higher 'proficiency' standards on assessments

But some education leaders argue the term continues to create confusion.

By Linda Jacobson • Aug. 21, 2019

Summer Reading: Best practices on school safety and discipline

Administrators often face a delicate balancing act between keeping students secure and fostering a positive learning environment. To help sort through the issue, we've rounded up some of our recent coverage on these topics.

By Roger Riddell • Aug. 19, 2019

NYC adopting waitlist system to simplify high school admissions

The admissions process for selective high schools in the nation's largest school district has been criticized by Mayor Bill De Blasio for perpetuating "massive segregation." 

By Shawna De La Rosa • Aug. 16, 2019

Ex-staffers: Bureaucracy, testing focus stifled ed innovation office's efforts

Former employees of Denver's Imaginarium hope to spark conversations about pushing back on state and federal mandates that use standardized test scores as the primary metric for student progress.

By Natalie Gross • Aug. 14, 2019

Labor Dept rules IEP meetings a valid reason for family and medical leave

The opinion gives educators a tool for helping families participate in addressing their children's special education needs.

By Linda Jacobson • Aug. 13, 2019

Schools increasingly underfunded as state funding demand grows, study finds

Funding distribution shifts partially explain the trend: States where federal K-12 spending increased aren't seeing the same boost from the state and local level.

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 13, 2019

Pre-to-3: New center to track state policies on infants and toddlers

By the end of this year, the Prenatal-to-Three Policy Impact Center at UT-Austin plans to publish a list of policies found to support young children's health and well-being.

By Linda Jacobson • Aug. 9, 2019

State leaders share progress on building 'world-class' education systems

Expanding pre-K, increasing teacher salaries, and allowing elementary educators to specialize in a content area are among steps some states are taking to emulate top-performing systems, speakers at a NCSL session said.

By Linda Jacobson • Aug. 8, 2019

As threat of ICE raids increases, schools can take steps to put students at ease

Sanctuary districts, "zen" zones, SEL and communication with families are among initiatives providing students from immigrant families with safety and resources amid an anti-immigrant political climate. 

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 8, 2019

Common Cents: Networking with the Gates Foundation on school improvement

Allan Golston, president of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's United States Program, tells Education Dive that its K-12 efforts remain rooted in boosting equity nationally, applying lessons learned in light of local contexts.

By Roger Riddell • Aug. 7, 2019

Does requiring seniors to fill out FAFSA forms increase college attendance?

One state saw higher ed enrollment jump 6% as a result, but observers say the move may be a hurdle for students who don't have adequate support.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Aug. 6, 2019

PDK Poll: Most parents would support a teacher strike over school funding

This year's survey also includes the views of public school teachers and covers topics such as religion, discipline and how schools are graded.

By Linda Jacobson • Aug. 5, 2019

Summer Reading: Effective recruitment and retention strategies

To help you prepare for the school year ahead, here's a roundup of ways districts and administrators are tackling growing teacher shortage challenges.

By Roger Riddell • Aug. 5, 2019

Reports of sexual assault at schools on the rise, but the reasons are unclear

Researchers are unsure if the number of actual incidents is increasing or higher awareness from the "#MeToo" movement has led to more reporting.

By Amelia Harper • Aug. 2, 2019