Leadership

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    Week In Review: K-12 Dive Awards and AI’s march in curriculum

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from a report on teens’ pronoun usage to milk in school lunches.

    By • Dec. 22, 2025
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    Retrieved from Superintendent Ryan Walters.
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    Oklahoma Supreme Court strikes down controversial social studies standards

    The standards were already on pause, but the court ruled this week that the state board of education violated the law in creating and adopting them. 

    By • Dec. 19, 2025
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    Trendline

    Infrastructure & School Operations

    With a new presidential administration and potential funding changes on the way, schools face an array of challenges in day-to-day operations. 

    By K-12 Dive staff
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Fewer than half of transgender, nonbinary youth report others use their pronouns

    Data released by The Trevor Project shows a lower suicide risk for students whose pronouns were used. In some states, policies make it a challenge.

    By • Dec. 18, 2025
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    Dive Awards

    The K-12 Dive Awards for 2025

    Whether they’re driving postsecondary pathways, district marketing strategies or school turnarounds, these leaders are raising the bar for K-12.

    By , • Dec. 16, 2025
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    Permission granted by Iowa City Community School District
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    Dive Awards

    Superintendent of the Year: Matt Degner, Iowa City Community School District

    This district leader focuses on making academic programs unique as he strives to set his school system apart at a time of growing competition for students.

    By • Dec. 16, 2025
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    Permission granted by Pierre Orbe
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    Dive Awards

    Principal of the Year: Pierre Orbe, DeWitt Clinton High School

    One educator’s unplanned detour from medical school into education led to a turnaround for one of New York City’s most storied high schools.

    By • Dec. 16, 2025
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    Permission granted by Beaverton School District
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    Dive Awards

    District of the Year: Beaverton School District

    The Oregon district has taken career and technical education, dual language programming and cost-saving school transportation to new heights.

    By • Dec. 16, 2025
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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    DOJ targets teacher diversity efforts in lawsuit against Minnesota schools

    The lawsuit challenges the district’s agreement with its teachers union, which includes diversity efforts such as recruiting and retaining Black men.

    By • Dec. 15, 2025
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    School violence: An educator’s painful and promising 50-year perspective

    Though there’s no quick fix for school violence, educators can work to prevent it by keeping in mind “5 B’s,” a crisis intervention expert writes.

    By Stephen Sroka • Dec. 11, 2025
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    Week in Review: Superintendents’ job satisfaction and the status of education degrees

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from a major ed tech data security settlement to the latest on a federal school voucher program.

    By • Dec. 8, 2025
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    Some districts reverse school closures despite declining enrollment

    While closures can be “deeply painful,” keeping schools open can mean fewer student resources or even a state takeover, an education professor said.

    By • Dec. 5, 2025
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    John Moore via Getty Images
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    Most superintendents satisfied with job, despite the stress and demands

    Nearly 6 in 10 plan to stay in the superintendency over the next five years, an increase from 2010, according to AASA's mid-decade survey of district leaders.

    By • Dec. 4, 2025
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    Alex Wong via Getty Images
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    Districts report enrollment drops amid heightened immigration enforcement

    A larger-than-expected dip in Los Angeles reflects "the realities our immigrant families are facing," Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said.

    By • Dec. 4, 2025
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    Retrieved from U.S. Department of Education/Flickr on December 01, 2025
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    McMahon marks IDEA’s 50th anniversary with Virginia school visit

    The government won’t take "its foot off of the gas pedal" on IDEA compliance or monitoring, says Kimberly Richey, acting assistant secretary of OSERS.

    By • Dec. 1, 2025
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    Retrieved from U.S. Department of Education/Flickr on November 26, 2025
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    Education Department outsourcing is unlawful, amended lawsuit claims

    The agency says it wants to improve efficiencies for K-12 and higher education funding and services.

    By • Nov. 26, 2025
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    Permission granted by Erick Salazar
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    Deep Dive // IDEA AT 50

    How IDEA sparked innovations for students with — and without — disabilities

    The landmark law has become the catalyst for legions of innovative practices and tools to make learning more accessible.

    By • Nov. 25, 2025
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    Week In Review: Fallout from the Education Department’s breakup

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from 8th grade algebra to the latest legal pushes on religion in schools.

    By • Nov. 24, 2025
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    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    How a small Oregon district turns data into action

    A streamlined approach helps Umatilla School District make sense of the numbers and ease data anxiety, says Superintendent Heidi Sipe.

    By • Nov. 24, 2025
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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 another shakeup at the Education Department to growth in Arizona’s universal school choice program, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • Nov. 21, 2025
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    Retrieved from U.S. Department of Education/Flickr.
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    Education Department breakup divides K-12 community

    Supporters say the interagency agreements will reduce federal bloat. Critics worry educational opportunities for students will be lost.

    By • Nov. 21, 2025
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    Special educators, disability advocates form united front to protect IDEA

    The 850-member coalition supports keeping special education programming at the Education Department, saying moving it would put IDEA services at risk.

    By • Nov. 20, 2025
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Education Department outsources program management to other agencies

    The interagency agreements will shift management of six of the department’s programs, including elementary and secondary education, to other agencies.

    By • Updated Nov. 18, 2025
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    Kayla Bartkowski / Staff via Getty Images
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    Week In Review: Education Department activities resume

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from special education concerns to enrollment woes.

    By • Nov. 17, 2025
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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-based decision-making to AI literacy, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • Nov. 14, 2025
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    Week In Review: Special education debates ramp up

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from enrollment trends to Colorado’s support for universal meals.

    By • Nov. 10, 2025