More states requiring mental health education

Experts recommend beginning as early as kindergarten, with a focus on age-appropriate instructional practices in areas like reducing stigma and obtaining and maintaining good mental health.

By Lucy Hood • Sept. 3, 2019

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

Explore the Trendline➔

Curriculum

Educators are exploring a variety of strategies to improve students’ learning experiences while continuing to navigate ongoing political disputes.

By K-12 Dive staff

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

Dominion electric school bus initiative aims for 100% electric fleet in Virginia territory by 2030

The utility wants 1,000 electric buses by 2025, at no additional cost to school districts.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 3, 2019

Indiana approves free adult high school education, job training program

Public-private collaboration is an established job training trend, but stakeholders can't stop at pledging resources and funding.

By Riia O'Donnell • Aug. 30, 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

Hackers target smaller, less protected schools as school year begins

Training students, faculty and staff to recognize and avoid phishing emails remains critical to cybersecurity, as experts say the end user is the most vulnerable link in a network's defenses.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Aug. 29, 2019

Detroit nonprofit directs $3.5M to improve 4 charter schools

The pilot program will help provide bonuses to retain teachers, offer coaching, and improve building, technology and curriculum resources.

By Amelia Harper • Aug. 29, 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

Building and scaling interventions to support every student

Aspen Florence of the Ogden School District in Utah describes how teachers are using data to implement the right support at the right time. 

By Aspen Florence • Aug. 29, 2019

Ability to identify rapid guessing stands to improve interventions

Experts say better identification of where students disengaged on an exam can help target areas individual students are struggling — or where new approaches need to be considered broadly.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Aug. 28, 2019

Growing number of states passing LGBT-inclusive history curricula

But experts say these lessons should be woven into history curricula rather than standing out as separate.

By Lauren Barack • Aug. 28, 2019

Shortened lunch breaks leave students hungry, food wasted

School lunch periods are being trimmed to make room for more learning, but the break is often up by the time students buy their food.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Aug. 28, 2019

Popularity of learner-driven Edcamps still on the rise

The model's spontaneous, non-commercial approach demonstrates a growing desire among educators for more personalization in their professional learning.

By Natalie Gross • Aug. 28, 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

Summit Learning expansion stutters amid big ambitions

Though a 2016 grant report set a goal for the platform's expansion at roughly 50,000 schools by 2025, only about 400 are partnering to use the program this year — roughly the same as last year.

By Amelia Harper • 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

Chicago teachers could strike before end of September

The union announced Monday it rejected a fact-finder’s report regarding its contract negotiations with Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago Public Schools.

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

Districts employing more 'grow-your-own' options to fill special ed roles

Amid a nationwide shortage of special education teachers, the San Jose Unified School District is the latest to launch a program raising existing staff into the positions.

By Amelia Harper • Aug. 27, 2019

District ed tech audits avoid waste, boost impact

Experts say a closer look helps ensure funds are being used wisely while providing a better understanding of needs and use cases.

By Natalie Gross • Aug. 26, 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

Chicago freshman program helps ease high school transition

Research indicates grades during a student's first year of high school are the best predictor of future academic success.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Aug. 26, 2019