Curriculum

  • A woman teacher instructs a girl elementary student in reading.
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    Reading aloud can boost students’ confidence and fluency

    Elementary teachers should normalize mistakes, encourage partnering and reread familiar texts with students, experts say.

    By Ed Finkel • Feb. 11, 2026
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    Gaps persist between impact and opportunity in youth civic participation

    Local government leaders saw K-12 schools as the most valuable institution for positive effects on civic participation in a recent CivicPulse survey.

    By Ed Finkel • Feb. 11, 2026
  • Explore the Trendline➔
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    "Freshman Orientation" by Phil Roeder is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Trendline

    Social-Emotional Learning

    Our latest K-12 Dive Trendline takes a closer look at how educators are addressing social-emotional learning amid pushback from policymakers and ongoing demand from employers.

    By K-12 Dive staff
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    Week In Review: ICE on school grounds and FY26 education funding

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from new data on ransomware to tech accessibility rules.

    By • Feb. 9, 2026
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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

    From the Education Department’s FY 2026 budget to ransomware attacks on schools and colleges, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • Feb. 6, 2026
  • A woman teacher stands in front of a classroom with a smart board behind her.
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    Dallas school’s vocabulary program TIPs English learners toward success

    Deep-dive data analysis helped educators identify issues and arrive at “text, information, picture” charts as a solution.

    By Ed Finkel • Feb. 4, 2026
  • Three younger students sit in a row at a table, In front of them are open laptops. They are typing on keyboards
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    Some schools stress keyboarding skills as students become all thumbs

    Educators say traditional typing practice is essential for standardized testing performance and future careers.

    By Ed Finkel • Feb. 4, 2026
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    FAFSA completions for class of 2026 outpacing last year’s

    The U.S. Department of Education points to an earlier form release date and streamlined user process for the increase in federal financial aid applications.

    By • Feb. 2, 2026
  • An adult is sitting on a floor with two toddlers who are sitting on the floor. The adult is guiding one of the child's hands while the other child plays with blocks on the floor.
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    Week in Review: Teachers’ child care stresses and special ed solutions

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from student protests over violent immigration enforcement actions to a proposed IDEA disability category.

    By • Feb. 2, 2026
  • Young students sit at individual desks facing the front of the classroom with their hands raised.
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    The K-12 outlook for 2026: How new federal priorities and funding challenges will stretch schools

    We’ve gathered our trends to watch over the coming year in one place to help you stay on top of the fast-evolving landscape.

    By • Jan. 30, 2026
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    GAO: Barriers keep schools from fully embracing assistive technology

    The federal government watchdog outlined how some districts use these tools to fit the individualized needs of students with disabilities.

    By • Jan. 30, 2026
  • A teacher engages with four teenage students seated at a table in a classroom.
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    What supports do advanced English learners need?

    Researchers suggest English language arts teachers can use an array of strategies to help these learners hone skills to express complex ideas.

    By Ed Finkel • Jan. 28, 2026
  • Three young children are sitting at a desk. They are wearing aprons and have paint and paper on the desk. They are holding paint brushes.
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    Sensory play can enhance crucial skill-building in young students

    From the touch of sand to the splashing of water, experiences that tap into multiple senses can help build intellect and regulate emotions, experts say.

    By Ed Finkel • Jan. 28, 2026
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    Week In Review: Bipartisan agreement reached on Ed Dept funding plan for FY26

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from natural disaster best practices to policy and legal trends to watch this year.

    By • Jan. 26, 2026
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    POP QUIZ

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

    From enrollment challenges to a bipartisan budget proposal, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • Jan. 23, 2026
  • Three high school theater students share notes on a performing arts center stage.
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    The play’s the thing: How peer-to-peer mentoring in theater builds SEL skills

    Student theater can be a gold mine for promoting mentorship, confidence and creativity in a rushed, screen-oriented culture, one expert says.

    By Ed Finkel • Jan. 21, 2026
  • A hand holding a pencil is shown writing out algebra equations.
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    Maine teacher makes math relevant with ‘fun-tivities’

    This high school educator is engaging students with a mix of inquiry-based digital projects and hands-on activities.

    By Ed Finkel • Jan. 21, 2026
  • An adult sits at a small desk on a stage in a room, holding a pen and writing on a paper. Rows of children are sitting at individual desks behind the adult.
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    Deep Dive

    Trump 2.0: A sea change for K-12

    From Education Department downsizing to a variety of legal battles, take a month-by-month look at how the federal approach to K-12 has shifted.

    By , , , • Jan. 20, 2026
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    What can US schools learn about AI education from their Chinese counterparts?

    Schools in China are fast equipping students to work with the emerging tech, ILO Group CEO Julia Rafal-Baer said after a recent visit.

    By Ed Finkel • Jan. 14, 2026
  • A teenage girl stands in front of her middle school class to present information.
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    How ‘open mic’ activities can improve writing, social skills

    Involving students in planning and fostering a supportive environment can encourage even the most reticent to participate, one expert says.

    By Ed Finkel • Jan. 14, 2026
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    Week In Review: From Head Start to Texas teachers, K-12 hits the courtroom

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, including ESEA waivers and key trends to watch in 2026.

    By • Jan. 12, 2026
  • Several students are sitting at desks in a classroom. A teacher who is standing is leaning down to help a student on a laptop.
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    Deep Dive

    6 trends to watch for K-12 in 2026

    Enrollment concerns, growing school choice competition, data privacy and new federal policy priorities are among a slew of challenges facing public schools.

    By , , • Jan. 8, 2026
  • Five students are sitting close together at a table. They have pens and markers in their hands and they are writing on a sheet of paper on the desk.
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    How to reacclimate students after winter break

    Taking time to reestablish routines — and perhaps forge new ones — can help educators engage learners as school resumes.

    By Ed Finkel • Jan. 7, 2026
  • Close view of mature female educator standing between early electrical engineering students and offering guidance as they work on a project.
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    xavierarnau via Getty Images
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    Challenges persist for CTE programs, report finds

    Some 40% of programs struggle to find employer partnerships, and 66% of CTE leaders say students lack awareness of options, YouScience data shows.

    By Ed Finkel • Jan. 7, 2026
  • An adult sits at a small table with young students in a classroom. On the table is paper and Play-doh.
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    Pre-K teachers speak out about AI, instructional materials, training and pay in surveys

    Rand research indicates teachers of young students want and need more training in ed tech, curricula and supporting diverse learners.

    By • Jan. 5, 2026
  • A stack of books is pictured with a red apple on top, sitting next to a cup holding pencils and scissors, set against a blackboard background
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    LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    5 lessons learned from top school administrators in 2025

    We’re highlighting key insights on ed tech adoption, remediation services, community engagement and more from this year’s conversations.

    By • Jan. 2, 2026