Policy & Legal


  • A large group of protesters stand together holding signs. One large sign in the center of the crowd says "We solve for X. Can you solve teacher pay?"
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    BY THE NUMBERS

    Teacher salaries average $74.5K nationally. Is it enough?

    Inflation continues to eat away at the salary gains teachers have made in recent years, a new National Education Association report finds.

    By April 28, 2026
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    Imgorthand via Getty Images
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    Inside the new math wars: Navigating division over teaching approaches

    A new guide from the Center on Reinventing Public Education’s explains the divisions shaping the “science of math” — as well as areas of agreement.

    By April 28, 2026
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    Top 5 stories from K-12 Dive

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

    By K-12 Dive staff
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    Supreme Court won’t hear gender support plan case

    The petition for high court review came from parents who argued that the LGBTQ+-inclusivity measure violated their 14th Amendment rights.

    By April 27, 2026
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    Week In Review: Web accessibility rules and federal school choice

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from limits on tech in schools to the latest on book challenges.

    By April 27, 2026
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    Illustration: Cathryn Virginia for Industry Dive

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    STAFFED UP

    How is the STEM teacher pipeline faring in high-need schools?

    Raising teacher pay and investing in a federal scholarship program could help with recruitment and retention, research suggests.

    By April 27, 2026
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    Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    OCR launches antisemitism probe into New York City schools

    The Title VI investigation grew out of complaints over seminars conducted by a pro-Palestinian teachers' group, the U.S. Education Department said.

    By April 24, 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 extended web accessibility deadlines to a Supreme Court case on universal pre-K, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By April 24, 2026
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    2025 broke record for censorship: Less than 3% of book challenges came from parents

    Groups or government officials initiated 92% of challenges, and two-thirds overall ended in removals, according to an American Library Association report.

    By April 23, 2026
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    LAUSD imposes screen time limits starting in 2026-27

    One Los Angeles Unified School District board member said the policy curbing technology use in schools will “help lead the nation” on similar efforts.

    By April 22, 2026
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    Brandon Bell/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Texas can require schools to display 10 Commandments, 5th Circuit says

    The decision is a win for conservatives who have sought to incorporate religion in public schools — and brings the issue one step closer to the Supreme Court.

    By April 22, 2026
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    27 states want to opt into federal school choice program

    States are awaiting rules defining a formal process to join the program, which is set to launch Jan. 1, 2027.

    By April 22, 2026
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    Arkansas law boosted teacher pay — and retention

    Research from the University of Arkansas, however, warns that the impacts from these raises will “fade over time” if they’re not sustained.

    By April 21, 2026
  • Protesters for and against transgender athletes competing in women's sports gather outside the Supreme Court on January 13, 2026 in Washington, DC.
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    Heather Diehl via Getty Images
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    SCOTUS takes up whether preschools can exclude children of gay parents

    Plaintiffs say Colorado’s universal pre-K program requiring equal access to enrollment despite sexual orientation is religious discrimination.

    By April 20, 2026
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    Carlos Barquero Perez via Getty Images
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    Schools get another year to comply with web accessibility deadlines

    Reactions were mixed to the U.S. Department of Justice’s extension for digitally accessible content managed by state and local government entities.

    By April 20, 2026
  • A person stands in front of a building that say "Donna North High School."
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    Permission granted by Donna Independent School District
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    A Texas district closed 2 schools. How innovation made it a smoother process.

    Donna Independent School District credits the launch of its innovative academies for helping parents adjust to two elementary schools closing.

    By April 20, 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 a district saving money by “vibe coding” to new Education Department priorities, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By April 17, 2026
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    SDI Productions via Getty Images
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    OCR investigating Texas district’s plan to move special education class

    OCR will look into whether the New Home Independent School District violated Section 504 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

    By April 16, 2026
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    diane39 via Getty Images
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    5 ways schools can reduce chronic absenteeism and boost student engagement

    Culturally relevant teaching and strong family connections are two ways schools are increasing attendance, says a University of Oregon report.

    By April 16, 2026
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    Should the Bible be part of public school curriculum? The momentum is building.

    A push for Bible instruction may become the next wave of curriculum policies sweeping through the nation, as more states consider such legislation.

    By April 15, 2026
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    Phynart Studio via Getty Images
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    Inside Trump’s 3.5% budget boost for special education

    The FY27 budget proposal, however, would make changes that have advocates concerned about accountability and federal supports.

    By April 15, 2026
  • Linda McMahon speaks at a podium during a press conference while Karoline Leavitt, by her side, watches.
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    The Education Department released new priorities for key programs. Here’s what to know.

    The agency is showing an increased interest in allocating resources to career and workforce readiness, educator training, literacy and artificial intelligence.

    By April 14, 2026
  • President Donald Trump speaks as Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stand behind Trump.
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    How the Education Department will prioritize AI in awarding grants

    A new final rule details a broad set of AI initiatives that will be given more weight in the agency’s discretionary funding programs.

    By April 14, 2026
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    Layoffs, hiring freezes pick up in districts amid declining enrollment

    From Boston to San Francisco, districts are planning for sweeping staff reductions as superintendents face tightening budgets.

    By April 14, 2026
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    Courtesy of American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa
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    Appeals court OKs parts of Iowa’s sweeping anti-LGBTQ law

    The decision is a blow to free speech and civil rights advocates, who have said such laws are discriminatory and lead to self-censorship in schools.

    By April 13, 2026
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    First grants announced under Labor Dept elementary and secondary ed partnership

    The two grant competitions cover literacy in high-need areas and incentives for performance-based compensation for teachers and school leaders.

    By April 10, 2026