Ed Dept's final rule on CARES funding partially backtracks earlier guidance

In a final rule effective immediately, districts must choose between funding only low-income students or all schools, public or private, with CARES aid. 

By Naaz Modan • June 25, 2020

Chamber of Commerce report breaks down education, other opportunity gaps by the numbers

The compilation of research seeks to promote "targeted, data-driven, and sustainable solutions" to expand equal opportunity through policy and the private sector.

By Roger Riddell • June 25, 2020

Report: California schools see drop in suspensions for minor offenses

Rates have declined most for Black students, but Black and Native American students with disabilities still lose the most days of instruction, according to a Civil Rights Project analysis.

By Linda Jacobson • June 23, 2020

As states cut budgets, racial funding gaps between districts could widen

In a House hearing Monday, experts testified education cuts amid the fallout of the pandemic will likely disproportionately impact low-income districts serving students of color.

By Naaz Modan • June 23, 2020

A Supreme Court ruling keeps DACA in place for now — but what's next?

The possibility of a future challenge remains, and awareness is growing of the program's impact on tax revenues and district staffing.

By Naaz Modan • June 19, 2020

Amid concerns of widening equity gaps, Black educators suggest a starting point

While some students and educators are itching to reenter the classroom, superintendents report their Black students prefer to stay home in a culturally reflective and safe environment. 

By Naaz Modan • June 18, 2020

Supreme Court signals willingness to consider bathroom rights in LGBT job discrimination ruling

In a 2018 NPR Ed survey of 79 transgender and gender-nonconforming teachers, 56% reported facing harassment or discrimination at work. 

By Roger Riddell • June 15, 2020

Efforts to close digital divide top states' plans for emergency relief funds

States are also prioritizing training for teachers in deciding how to distribute a total of almost $3 billion for pandemic-related needs.

By Linda Jacobson • June 15, 2020

Uncertainty persists around fall school meal distribution

Current USDA waivers are set to expire, complicating reopening as plans lean toward staggered schedules and concerns rise about a second wave of COVID.

By Shawna De La Rosa • June 15, 2020

Alexander: 'Schools should plan for COVID to last at least a year'

A Senate education committee hearing Wednesday highlighted challenges schools face and the burden of additional costs while planning to reopen and bracing for more disruption.

By Naaz Modan • June 11, 2020

California (finally) considers a way to measure student growth

With 48 states already tracking growth, experts say the move is "long overdue" and that measuring progress is especially important to see which schools "beat the odds in this crisis."

By Linda Jacobson • June 10, 2020

Amid protests, districts re-examine police contracts, policies

Minneapolis Public Schools and others have dropped, or are considering dropping, contracts with local police as equity concerns rise.

By Naaz Modan • June 10, 2020

Public ed employment falls significantly as private ed rises

Numbers for May show losses in local government education employment, accounting for almost two-thirds of government job losses overall.

By Naaz Modan • June 8, 2020

17 states, DC challenge new Title IX regulations' impact on schools

The lawsuit, filed by Democratic attorneys general, suggests districts won't have enough time to implement requirements, and that it could take away from planning for distance learning and fall reopenings.

By Naaz Modan • June 5, 2020

School nutrition group to USDA: Provide free meals for all students in 2020-21

The call comes as additional waivers for grab-and-go sites are set to expire at the end of June.

By Linda Jacobson • June 4, 2020

Title IX regulations impose new requirements on K-12 districts

A former Illinois executive inspector general writes that K-12 school districts will need to make substantial changes to how they address sexual harassment.

By Maggie Hickey, Anthony-Ray Sepúlveda and Mariam Chamilova • June 4, 2020

'A different kind of horrific' for K-12 as states anticipate revenue shortfalls

Less than half of states have warned districts about shortfalls, but researchers suggest districts plan now for budget cuts or face steeper impacts in the fall.

By Naaz Modan • May 29, 2020

Amended Verizon deal expands broadband access in California districts

The move follows Verizon's April commitment to a discounted rate on internet connectivity for up to 250,000 underserved students in the state.

By Roger Riddell • May 28, 2020

Report: Pooling school taxes would boost per-pupil funding almost $1K

While EdBuild's project began before the pandemic, leaders say policymakers now face the challenge of protecting the resources they have.

By Linda Jacobson • May 27, 2020

Districts seek distance ed ELL improvement ahead of fall

English learners lost instruction time due to the pandemic, and recent U.S. Department of Education guidance has reiterated schools must continue support during closures.

By Shawna De La Rosa • May 26, 2020

Chicago Teachers Union sues district, Ed Dept over special ed requirements

Chicago Public Schools and the U.S. Department of Education contend the district's special ed teachers want to cut corners.

By Naaz Modan • May 21, 2020

USDA waivers allow school meal sites to continue through summer

The School Nutrition Association is also advocating for passage of the latest federal relief bill, which includes $3 billion to cover child nutrition programs.

By Linda Jacobson • May 19, 2020

Few details emerging for use of 'emergency education' funds

While governors have flexibility in how to use the block grant, the amounts are paltry compared to how much some states are cutting their education budgets.

By Linda Jacobson • May 18, 2020

How feasible are school reopening plans for fall?

Common trends across reopening plans from prominent education, government and health organizations suggest doing so may be easier said than done.

By Naaz Modan • May 18, 2020

Report: Nearly half of principals considering leaving their schools

The final installment in a NASSP and LPI research project shows lack of recognition, competitive salaries and heavy workloads are partly to blame.

By Shawna De La Rosa • May 14, 2020