Policy & Legal

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    Two judges halt Trump administration’s suspension of SNAP benefits

    A Rhode Island judge granted a temporary restraining order against the federal government while a Massachusetts judge ordered the USDA to fund the food nutrition program during the government shutdown.

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 31, 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 a judge’s order to reinstate Education Department grants to calls for virtual schooling amid ICE raids, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • Oct. 31, 2025
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    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from K-12 Dive

    K-12 Dive has gathered some a selection of our best coverage from 2025 so far as a one-stop resource on the trends to watch in the months ahead.

    By K-12 Dive staff
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    Illustration: Cathryn Virginia for Industry Dive

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    STAFFED UP

    Tense board relationships fuel high superintendent turnover

    Nearly a quarter of the 500 largest districts got a new superintendent in the past year, according to data from ILO Group.

    By • Oct. 31, 2025
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    Permission granted by Rick Brady/SNA
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    Schools brace for SNAP benefits lapse

    With the nation's largest federal food assistance program likely expiring Nov. 1, school systems are looking for ways to best support low-income families and children.

    By • Oct. 30, 2025
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    Character.AI to ban teens from chatting with its AI companions

    The company’s change comes after experts have warned that AI social companion apps are dangerous for students’ mental well-being.

    By • Oct. 29, 2025
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    California’s K-12 facility funding system unconstitutional, students, parents say in lawsuit

    As in complaints filed in other states, plaintiffs want the state to stop relying on local bond issues to trigger the release of matching funds to pay for unmet needs.

    By Robert Freedman • Oct. 29, 2025
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    Education Department ordered to reinstate mental health grants

    A school psychologists organization said the ruling is a "win" for families and educators. The department says it will appeal.

    By • Oct. 28, 2025
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    Students express hope — and fear — over classroom AI use

    Students said in a Project Tomorrow survey that they’re optimistic about the potential benefits of AI in their learning, but more school guidance is needed.

    By • Oct. 28, 2025
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    Retrieved from Des Moines Public Schools.
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    Audits, lawsuit ensue after ICE arrest of Iowa superintendent

    The flurry of activity includes a review of the state's licensing and background check procedures, as well as an audit of Iowa's Des Moines Public Schools.

    By • Oct. 27, 2025
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    Week In Review: Districts feel the impacts of federal policy shifts

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from a post-COVID decline in students taking the SAT and ACT to a potential federal shakeup for special education programs.

    By • Oct. 27, 2025
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    Scott Olson/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Educators push for virtual schooling in response to ICE raids

    Chicago joins New York and Los Angeles districts in exploring remote options to ensure students and parents are safe amid the federal immigration crackdown.

    By • Oct. 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 trends in education degrees to the PowerSchool hacker’s sentencing, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • Oct. 24, 2025
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    Feds launch site for employers to pay controversial H-1B fee, clarify exemptions

    The update answers some of employers’ questions, but the future of President Donald Trump’s restrictions on new skilled-worker visas is still uncertain.

    By Ryan Golden • Oct. 23, 2025
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    Districts sued for firing employees over posts about Kirk shooting

    A handful of lawsuits have emerged from educators who criticized conservative activist Charlie Kirk on social media after his death.

    By • Oct. 22, 2025
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    Education Department ‘exploring’ ways to move special education elsewhere

    While no official plan is in place yet, it's Education Secretary Linda McMahon's goal to shut down the department, said an agency spokesperson.

    By • Oct. 21, 2025
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    How states can tackle absenteeism among worried immigrant families

    Affirming students' rights to attend school and creating a welcoming school climate can help increase attendance for this population, EdTrust said.

    By • Oct. 21, 2025
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    US Chamber sues White House to block ‘plainly unlawful’ H-1B visa fee

    The organization alleged President Donald Trump’s proclamation would harm businesses, and it asked a district court to enjoin the $100,000 payment requirement.

    By Ryan Golden • Oct. 20, 2025
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    BY THE NUMBERS

    Where are tomorrow’s teachers? Education degrees drop over 2 decades.

    Declines came in both bachelor's and master's degrees awarded between 2003-04 and 2022-23, an AACTE analysis of federal data shows.

    By • Updated Oct. 22, 2025
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    Week In Review: RIFs issued to further gut Education Department

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from fallout of the PowerSchool data breach to modest math gains for some grade levels.

    By • Oct. 20, 2025
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    Head Start advocates warn shutdown will harm early learning programs

    If the federal government doesn’t reopen by Nov. 1, services for more than 65,000 low-income children are in jeopardy, Head Start supporters say.

    By • Oct. 20, 2025
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    New York City sues Education Department over Title IX funds

    The department cut funds for a magnet school program meant to help with desegregation, which it said is no longer in the government’s “best interest.”

    By • Oct. 17, 2025
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    PowerSchool hacker sentenced. What can schools take away from the incident?

    Realizing that you "can't put the genie back in the bottle," districts are rethinking data retention and more, a cybersecurity expert said.

    By • Oct. 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 more Education Department layoffs to new data on student pandemic recovery, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • Oct. 17, 2025
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    Judge extends pause on layoffs of federal employees

    Here's a timeline tracing the Trump administration's efforts to slash half of the U.S. Education Department's workforce.

    By • Updated Oct. 29, 2025
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    Teachers are struggling with work-life balance, but there are ways to help

    Educators report they’re more likely to face job intrusion and job flexibility issues than adults working in other sectors, according to a Rand Corp. survey.

    By • Oct. 15, 2025