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 Kara Arundel • Nov. 26, 2025

Schools grapple with whooping cough as 2025 outpaces last year’s peak numbers

Preliminary reports from the CDC, as well as state and local agencies, suggest a significant increase in U.S. pertussis numbers — particularly in Texas.

By Lara Ewen • Nov. 26, 2025

Explore the 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

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 Kara Arundel • Nov. 25, 2025

Teacher shortages hinder special education progress. What are the solutions?

"When we fail to fully staff our classrooms, we fail to deliver on the promise of a free and appropriate public education for students with disabilities," says one educator.

By Anna Merod • Nov. 25, 2025

Austin ISD is closing 10 schools amid enrollment challenges

The closures will mostly impact elementary schools and are set to save the Texas district $21.5 million.

By Anna Merod • Nov. 24, 2025

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 Roger Riddell • Nov. 24, 2025

DOJ targets college access for undocumented students in 6th lawsuit

The lawsuits are related to policy changes that could impact dual enrollment and high school students' access to career and technical education programs.

By Naaz Modan • Nov. 21, 2025

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 Anna Merod • Nov. 21, 2025

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 Kara Arundel • Nov. 21, 2025

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 Kara Arundel • Nov. 20, 2025

Another religious school to apply for public charter status in Oklahoma

The effort by a Jewish school comes on the heels of a Supreme Court case involving a Catholic virtual school that had applied to become a public charter.

By Naaz Modan • Nov. 20, 2025

More Texas school districts ordered to take down Ten Commandments displays

The temporary order by a federal judge said a Texas law’s requirements to put up the Ten Commandments in every classroom violates the First Amendment.

By Anna Merod • Nov. 19, 2025

How California ensured cultural responsiveness in early literacy screenings

The state prioritized inclusivity for English learners in the tools it uses to screen for reading difficulties, a university researcher says.

By Ed Finkel • Nov. 19, 2025

Supreme Court won’t hear football prayer loudspeaker case

Its rejection comes on the heels of another case in 2022 that allowed school staff to engage in prayer with students in some situations.

By Naaz Modan • Nov. 19, 2025

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 Kara Arundel • Updated Nov. 18, 2025

Special educator shortages demand tailored solutions, study says

Researchers find that state and local policies need to target not only attrition but also the reasons behind turnover.

By Lara Ewen • Updated Nov. 18, 2025

Week In Review: Education Department activities resume

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

By Roger Riddell • Nov. 17, 2025

Lessons learned from Arizona’s universal school choice program

The state’s universal private school choice program grew 633% between 2021-22 and 2024-25, equaling about 7% of the state’s school population last year.

By Kara Arundel • Nov. 17, 2025

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 Roger Riddell • Nov. 14, 2025

Education Department resumes operations after prolonged shutdown

The temporary budget deal funds the Education Department through Jan. 30, 2026, and requires the reinstatement of RIFed employees.

By Kara Arundel • Nov. 13, 2025

SNAP funding restored through next September

The funding bill President Donald Trump signed Wednesday includes $107.5 billion for SNAP and $8.2 billion for WIC.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Nov. 13, 2025

Will Trump policies exacerbate the special education teacher shortage?

Special education and teacher preparation experts warn that federal efforts to shrink the Education Department put the special educator pipeline at risk.

By Anna Merod • Nov. 13, 2025

Where the federal school choice program stands

The U.S. Department of Treasury is expected to issue proposed rules early next year detailing how the program will operate and how states can opt in.

By Kara Arundel • Nov. 13, 2025

Advocates ask to keep data collection for special education racial disparities

The Education Department wants to ease state data collection burdens. Critics say the change would limit transparency and harm equity efforts.

By Kara Arundel • Nov. 12, 2025

USDA reverses course on SNAP

The agency that runs the food aid program said Saturday that states are not authorized to load full November benefits for the food aid program.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Nov. 10, 2025