These 4 trends are shaping the 2025-26 school year

From enrollment to AI, education leaders face a variety of obstacles and opportunities as students return to classrooms.

By Kara Arundel , Anna Merod , Naaz Modan , Roger Riddell • Aug. 28, 2025

Advanced manufacturing expansion opens CTE opportunities for rural schools

Industry partnerships and career education are crucial to prepare rural students for work in this growing field, a recent report says.

By Briana Mendez-Padilla • Aug. 27, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

STEM

From AI to quantum physics, STEM learning opportunities in K-12 are expanding to keep pace with related fields.

By K-12 Dive staff

How can schools launch sustainable drone programs?

Connecting drone usage to real-world scenarios and making curricula engaging beyond the first year are key, experts say.

By Briana Mendez-Padilla • Aug. 27, 2025

3 questions for K-12 leaders to consider amid the AI tutoring boom

While artificial intelligence tutors appear to gain traction in schools, little research exists on the efficacy of these tools for students.

By Anna Merod • Aug. 25, 2025

Week In Review: OCR staffers to return amid changing Title IX enforcement

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from music education’s impact on literacy to the latest Education Department changes.

By Roger Riddell • Aug. 25, 2025

Education Department rescinds EL equal access guidance

The guidance helped districts and states serve English learners, but isn’t aligned with Trump administration priorities, a department spokesperson said.

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 20, 2025

Video games can foster student engagement in the classroom

Game-based learning can provide additional inroads for building skills such as narrative storytelling, says Purdue University’s William Watson.

By Briana Mendez-Padilla • Aug. 20, 2025

Where do states stand on college and career readiness metrics?

While most states have adopted at least one indicator in their accountability systems, there’s no uniform approach, an All4Ed report found.

By Briana Mendez-Padilla • Aug. 20, 2025

Week In Review: Enrollment dips, immigration enforcement weigh on schools

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from renewed mascot debates to court battles impacting schools.

By Roger Riddell • Aug. 18, 2025

Building future-ready students: Embracing AI, adaptability and innovation in education

Prepare students for the evolving technological landscape and build future-ready skills.

By Rachelle Dené Poth • Aug. 18, 2025

Test yourself on the past week’s K-12 news

From a district considering school consolidations to the impacts of Trump’s immigration policies on students, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Anna Merod • Aug. 15, 2025

Middle school students need strong, tailored reading instruction, NWEA says

High-quality assessments and flexible scheduling are among factors that could help boost literacy skills for middle schoolers, according to a new report.

By Briana Mendez-Padilla • Aug. 13, 2025

How music education can help improve literacy

Music education’s benefits for student literacy and development are particularly important in the early grades, experts say.

By Briana Mendez-Padilla • Aug. 13, 2025

Week In Review: Enrollment concerns weigh on districts and Houston makes progress

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from school choice in special education to Atlanta’s plans to address empty seats.

By Roger Riddell • Aug. 11, 2025

UNITED ‘25: Principals explore solutions to pressing K-12 challenges

School principals gathered in Seattle in July to address a wide range of issues including chronic absenteeism and school safety.

By Anna Merod • Aug. 8, 2025

How a summer camp exposes both students and teachers to quantum physics

The Quantum For All pilot combines professional learning and direct practice to close knowledge gaps and expand STEM opportunities.

By Briana Mendez-Padilla • Aug. 6, 2025

Top 10 books for English language arts remain largely unchanged over 35 years

Some 90% of teachers somewhat or strongly agreed that diverse literature should be required for all students, according to a NCTE survey.

By Briana Mendez-Padilla • Aug. 6, 2025

Week In Review: AI, federal funding and ESEA waivers

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from guidance on “unlawful” DEI to how district leaders are navigating school closures.

By Roger Riddell • Aug. 4, 2025

These 6 guidelines can improve equity in literacy, report says

Empowering educators and partnering with parents are just two recommendations from EdTrust for expanding equitable reading opportunities.

By Kara Arundel • Aug. 1, 2025

Test yourself on the past week’s K-12 news

From the Trump administration’s release of frozen K-12 funds to the Education Department’s AI priorities, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Anna Merod • Aug. 1, 2025

Want a better society? Teach kids how to be exemplary citizens

Students must be equipped to focus on making the world a better place, not just on their own self-interests, writes a Virginia independent school leader.

By Autumn Adkins Graves • Aug. 1, 2025

How to bring joy into middle and high school classrooms

Creating a sense of community and embracing opportunities for play can bolster students’ desire to learn.

By Briana Mendez-Padilla • July 30, 2025

New York teachers want more preparation for science of reading

As the state rolls out a literacy strategy grounded in the approach, a survey shows high interest among educators in expanding their skills.

By Briana Mendez-Padilla • July 30, 2025

This Indiana high school is relying on students to tell its story

In Hamilton Southeastern High School’s media program, students are learning the art of crafting a compelling message.

By Anna Merod • July 29, 2025

Week In Review: Funding freezes, enrollment concerns and cyberthreats

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from lawsuits against the Trump administration to St. Louis’ proposed school cuts.

By Roger Riddell • July 28, 2025