Discipline policies that illegally punish and exclude students with disabilities must stop

Officials from the National Center for Special Education in Charter Schools say a recent lawsuit filed against Success Academy should serve as notice for districts and charters alike.

By Paul O’Neill and Stephanie Lancet • Aug. 14, 2018

Outcomes for children of migrant workers have improved

Over a half-century in, the Migrant Education Program has made it possible for more migrant workers' children to break the cycle of poverty by graduating high school, entering college and finding other forms of work.

By Amelia Harper • Aug. 14, 2018

Report calls for national strategy to help schools prevent suicide, substance abuse

Suicide is now the third leading cause of death of children ages 10 to 14, and more than 1 million middle school and high school age students have a substance abuse disorder.

By Amelia Harper • Aug. 13, 2018

California taps paraprofessionals, non-instructional staff as teachers

A nationwide shortage of teachers, particularly in areas like special ed, has some states looking to non-traditional pipelines.

By Christina Vercelletto • Aug. 13, 2018

Pre-to-3: Application period for Preschool Development Grants opens

As part of the Every Student Succeeds Act, 40 states could receive awards ranging from $500,000 to $10 million to improve services for children, birth to age 5.

By Linda Jacobson • Aug. 10, 2018

Online learning to melt snow days in 5 South Carolina districts

The effort is part of the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee's broader eLearning pilot, with those days counting toward the state's requirement of 180 school days.

By Roger Riddell • Aug. 10, 2018

Principals now joining teachers in pursuit of elected office

Issues like the Janus decision, ongoing teacher protests, criminal justice reform and the opioid epidemic have inspired school leaders to take action.

By Roger Riddell • Aug. 9, 2018

What happens when teacher performance data is made public?

The Los Angeles Times' 2010 publication of ratings based on student test score data for thousands of the city's teachers bred a turnover spike and placement concerns.

By Amelia Harper • Aug. 8, 2018

Report: Hate speech remains persistent concern in public schools

A review of 472 verified incidents that occurred between 2015 and 2017, finding that they primarily targeted black, Latino, Jewish and Muslim students.

By Amelia Harper • Aug. 8, 2018

Interagency collaboration, need for more counselors highlighted at federal school safety session

The third public listening session was held in Wyoming, a state that last year passed legislation allowing "citizen sentinels" in schools.

By Linda Jacobson • Aug. 8, 2018

Illinois mandates gifted and talented accommodations

The state now requires districts to identify and appropriately challenge students who are advanced both academically and social-emotionally. 

By Christina Vercelletto • Aug. 7, 2018

How do high-performing countries prepare and support teachers?

The Learning Policy Institute's Linda Darling-Hammond shares lessons with state lawmakers on how to address teaching shortages and raise student achievement.

By Linda Jacobson • Aug. 3, 2018

Insurance is not enough liability protection from active shooters

School districts need to develop safety teams to plan prevention and response, among other things.

By Amelia Harper • Aug. 3, 2018

Proposal suggests expanding gifted programs to solve NYC integration concerns

Proponents of a bill from state Sen. Tony Avella say it would restore a reliable pathway to specialized high schools, especially in low-income areas with limited access to gifted programs.

By Amelia Harper • Aug. 2, 2018

No clear answer on how families will use 529 accounts

A National Conference of State Legislatures official says it will be another six months before it's known if 529 funds are being used for private K-12 school tuition — a prospect that worries some colleges and lawmakers.

By Linda Jacobson and Jean Dimeo • Aug. 1, 2018

Expect more teacher protests this academic year

Teachers feel forced out of the middle class because of inadequate salaries and benefits, and they could take to the streets again with their concerns.

By Amelia Harper • Aug. 1, 2018

District co-ops, bulk purchasing groups on the rise

Research from AASA shows 73% of superintendents still reporting "inadequately funded" districts amid lingering recovery in the wake of the 2008 recession.

By Roger Riddell • Aug. 1, 2018

'Strategic leadership' crucial for school improvement, says turnaround expert

California's efforts to improve "expanded learning" programs were also highlighted on the second day of the National Conference of State Legislatures' annual summit.

By Linda Jacobson • Aug. 1, 2018

Competency-based education, 529 plans get attention at NCSL

State lawmakers at the conference also highlighted school security and finance as top areas of concern.

By Linda Jacobson • July 31, 2018

Florida database to combine social media, law enforcement, social services records

Concerns over such monitoring include who will have access to the data and that it might cast suspicion on students who don't pose a threat.

By Linda Jacobson • July 30, 2018

Policy changes may limit help to students suing for equal ed access

The U.S. Department of Education is already facing legal challenges to a revised policy.

By Amelia Harper • July 30, 2018

Perkins CTE Act reauthorization passes Congress

The legislation is headed to President Donald Trump's desk after several weeks of pressure from the administration for its passage.

By Roger Riddell • July 26, 2018

Court rules New Mexico fails to provide an adequate public education

The court gives the state until April 2019 to take concrete steps towards the court mandate, but the state said it plans to appeal the ruling.

By Christina Vercelletto • July 26, 2018

Report: Most states fail to comply with federal special ed mandates

The most recent federal assessment of IDEA compliance indicates that the majority of states fall short. 

By Amelia Harper • July 25, 2018

Are students' constitutional rights being violated when they can't read at grade level?

While literacy is clearly essential to a productive, successful life, courts have ruled it is not explicitly guaranteed. 

By Christina Vercelletto • July 23, 2018