Policy & Legal

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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

    From California’s lawsuit against the Justice Department to new research on children’s well-being, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • June 13, 2025
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    Kara Arundel/K-12 Dive
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    Debate intensifies over national school choice proposal

    Those denouncing the plan say it would harm public schools. Proponents contend it would help more students thrive through educational opportunities.

    By • June 13, 2025
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    Stock Photo via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Attendance and Absenteeism

    Our latest K-12 Dive Trendline takes a closer look at chronic absenteeism’s impact on schools and where educators are seeing success with attendance.

    By K-12 Dive staff
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    Unanimous SCOTUS ruling raises schools’ liability in disability cases

    The decision in favor of a student with epilepsy overturns a higher burden of proof for students and families in disability disputes.

    By • Updated June 12, 2025
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    FatCamera via Getty Images
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    For more consumers, back-to-school shopping starts now

    Many parents consider this year to be “financially challenging” or “stressful,” in part due to price hikes, according to a survey. 

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • June 12, 2025
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    Courtesy of Screenshot: Santa Ana Unified School District
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    Over 1,200 California K-12 staff laid off so far before the new school year

    The sweeping layoffs were reported by the California Teachers Association and come as districts statewide face budget challenges and declining enrollment.

    By • June 12, 2025
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    California ed chief tells Trump: ‘Keep your hands off our kids’

    Incidents including a flash-bang grenade-induced lockdown and a 4th grader's removal to Texas have the state's schools on high alert.

    By • June 11, 2025
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    alacatr via Getty Images
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    Former school district facilities chief directed $2M in HVAC work to shell company, DA alleges

    The former Lawrence Union Free School District facilities director resigned after reportedly steering money to himself with the help of an accomplice.

    By Robert Freedman • June 11, 2025
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    Dobrila Vignjevic via Getty Images
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    House lawmakers find consensus on benefits of school cellphone bans

    State and district policies have led to lower student discipline rates, better teacher retention and more effective instructional time, witnesses told a subcommittee.

    By • June 10, 2025
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    The image by Gage Skidmore is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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    California sues Justice Department over threats on transgender sports policy

    The federal agency warned some school districts last week that they faced "legal liability" if they followed California law.

    By • June 10, 2025
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    BY THE NUMBERS

    Children’s well-being shows both progress and setbacks, Kids Count finds

    The annual Annie E. Casey Foundation report found higher graduation rates and lower childhood poverty. However, more teens are not in school or working.

    By • June 9, 2025
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    monkeybusinessimages via Getty Images
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    Virginia enacts ban on school cellphone use, limits on social media

    In Florida, a similar, stricter law banning social media use for children under 14 years old hit a roadblock in district court.

    By • June 6, 2025
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    POP QUIZ

    Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

    From the Education Department’s latest budget proposal to a visa appointment pause’s impact on K-12, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • June 6, 2025
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    Retrieved from U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education Labor and Pensions.
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    3 takeaways from OCR nominee’s Senate confirmation hearing

    Kimberly Richey, who served as acting head of the Office for Civil Rights in the first Trump administration, addressed questions on higher caseloads, Title IX and more.

    By • June 5, 2025
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    Trump administration appeals pause on Education Department cuts to SCOTUS

    The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with a lower court that efforts to reduce the agency's workforce must stop while the dispute works its way through the courts.

    By • Updated June 6, 2025
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    monkeybusinessimages via Getty Images
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    How can states improve math prep for teachers?

    Alabama was the only state to earn a “strong” rating from the National Council on Teacher Quality for its strategy to improve math instruction.

    By • June 5, 2025
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    miroslav110 via Getty Images
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    Trump pause on visa appointments worries districts relying on foreign teachers

    Though the disruption is expected to be temporary, one rural leader fears it will delay her new hires from arriving in the U.S. in time for the new school year.

    By • June 4, 2025
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    diane39 via Getty Images
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    Every state except one publishes chronic absentee data online

    Still, only 17 states break that data down by grade, making it difficult to detect when chronic absenteeism is elevated in a particular age group.

    By • June 4, 2025
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Literacy is McMahon’s top priority. Senators ask, where’s the money?

    The education secretary also answered questions about FY26 proposals for mental health, civil rights, college access and where this year's spending stands.

    By • Updated June 6, 2025
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    Maryland turns to fired federal workers to solve teacher shortage

    The state will provide $1 million for 11 universities and colleges to create online pathways for former federal employees to earn a teaching license.

    By • June 3, 2025
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    Education Department eyes program cuts, consolidations in FY26 budget plan

    The Trump administration says the proposal would make federal spending more accountable and flexible for states. Critics say it'll set students back.

    By • June 2, 2025
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    Retrieved from Houston Independent School District.
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    Texas Education Agency extends Houston takeover by 2 years

    Despite significant performance gains, the state’s largest school district still has progress to make against the intervention’s exit criteria.

    By • June 2, 2025
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    Stock Photo via Getty Images
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    Vetting AI tools for schools? Consider these 4 pieces of advice

    School district technology leaders advise being mindful of protections for student data and bias mitigation.

    By • June 2, 2025
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    AMAYRA via Getty Images
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    More states adopt laws defining ‘man’ and ‘woman,’ adding to Title IX divide

    Texas is set to become the 14th state to adopt such a law, with a bill passed last week awaiting Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature.

    By • May 30, 2025
  • A photo illustration of a circle encompassing a question mark, pencil, and scantron test.
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    POP QUIZ

    Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

    From registered teacher apprenticeships to the potential impacts of cutting SNAP and Medicaid for schools, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • May 30, 2025
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    Suebsiri via Getty Images
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    Harvard: Indoor air quality even more important in early childhood

    Research suggests operators of childcare facilities, schools and community centers should place more emphasis on improving indoor environments.

    By Joe Burns • May 30, 2025