Policy & Legal

  • https://www.aclu.org/news/lgbtq-rights/live-coverage-west-virginia-v-b-p-j-scotus-arguments
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    Retrieved from American Civil Liberties Union on July 06, 2026
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    Supreme Court’s transgender athletics decision: What districts need to know

    Whether Title IX permits transgender students to play on sports teams aligning with their gender identity is among the gray areas that may be settled by future cases.

    By • July 6, 2026
  • The outside of the U.S. Department of Education building is shown with the wording "U.S. Department of Education"
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    Douglas Rissing via Getty Images
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    Inside the Education Department’s interagency agreements

    The most recent moves outsource various special education and civil rights activities to the departments of Health and Human Services and Justice.

    By • July 6, 2026
  • High school students are dropped off for school and begin walking into the building. Explore the Trendline➔
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    Getty Images
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    Trendline

    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
  • Students are sitting at individual desks in a classroom looking toward the front of the classroom
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    StockPlanets via Getty Images
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    More students with disabilities learning in general education classrooms

    A GAO report finds 42 states and the District of Columbia increased the share of students with disabilities in general education classes.

    By • July 6, 2026
  • The outside of the U.S. Supreme Court with blue sky and clouds in the background.
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    Fintan Trimble via Getty Images
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    Week In Review: A landmark Supreme Court ruling and a major testing company acquisition

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from “misconceptions” at the Education Department to Texas’ curriculum change.

    By • July 6, 2026
  • A photograph fom an altitude of about 500 feet shows an aerial view of bridges, downtown St. Louis and the Gateway Arch.
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    St. Louis Public Schools could close up to a third of its schools

    The preliminary proposal comes as the Missouri school district has seen enrollment decline sharply by 58.5% in a 34-year period.

    By • July 2, 2026
  • Two flags fly in the wind on a pole outside. The background is a clear blue sky with clouds
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    Education groups sue for access to nearly $2B in research funds

    A lawsuit claims the Education Department and the Office of Management and Budget are withholding the funds unlawfully.

    By • July 1, 2026
  • A teacher sits down with two elementary school students while working through a colorful puzzle and worksheet activity at a classroom table.
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    Getty Images
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    ‘Professional degree’ list is expanded. But education still didn’t make the cut.

    The designation, which now extends to nursing and other programs, doubles the federal student loan cap to $200,000 for graduate degrees.

    By • July 1, 2026
  • The U.S. Capitol dome appears in the background behind two trees.
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    Tom Brenner via Getty Images
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    House passes Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act

    The bill would update the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act to apply to teens up to age 17. But critics say it leaves out a crucial enforcement measure.

    By • June 30, 2026
  • A row of students sit next to each other at their desks as they individually complete a standardized test.
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    Getty Images
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    ETS acquires ACT, consolidating two testing giants

    The move comes as more colleges are going back to requiring standardized tests for admissions.

    By Ben Unglesbee • June 30, 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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    Supreme Court says schools can separate athletics based on ‘biological sex’

    The ruling addresses a long controversial divide on how schools approach transgender student inclusion in athletics.

    By • Updated June 30, 2026
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    Enrollment declines could cost states $11.5B annually by 2030-31, analysis says

    As schools grapple with a challenging landscape, Bellwether and WestEd suggest state leaders adjust policies and consider tools needed for success.

    By • June 30, 2026
  • The side of a building with white stone and windows is shown. Letters on the building read: U.S. Department of Education
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    Ed Dept addresses ‘misconceptions’ about special education outsourcing

    While a top official says students will retain all their rights under federal law, some advocates and lawmakers call the transfer harmful and disruptive.

    By • June 29, 2026
  • An illustration of a student looking into an empty outline of a teacher in a classroom.
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    Illustration: Cathryn Virginia for Industry Dive

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    STAFFED UP

    Can AI save teachers time and reduce burnout?

    Teacher burnout rates have remained high since COVID-19, but experts say artificial intelligence is still a promising solution if done right — and at scale.

    By • June 29, 2026
  • An aerial view of students using 8 different laptops side by side, while in school.
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    Getty Images
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    Week In Review: Screen time concerns drive policy moves

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from calls for Linda McMahon’s impeachment to data on states not meeting special education requirements.

    By • June 29, 2026
  • The Supreme Court with green tree branches in the foreground.
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    Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images News via Getty Images
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    Supreme Court’s ‘forced outing’ decision begins to impact districts nationwide

    The emergency order has set off ripple effects in lower courts and triggered federal probes into a number of districts in recent months.

    By • June 26, 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 large district’s consolidation plan to a report on states meeting special education requirements, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • June 26, 2026
  • Three people sit at a long table in front of a crowd and under a sign that says "United States Federal Communications Commission."
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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    FCC wants to know: Should the E-rate program be eliminated?

    The commission approved a request for public comment on whether it should reconsider the 30-year program that helps schools connect to the internet.

    By • June 25, 2026
  • A closeup of Rep. Suzanne Bonamici
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    House Committee on Education and Workforce Democrats. (2025). [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    Democrats move to impeach McMahon for Education Department dismantling

    Rep. Suzanne Bonamici filed impeachment articles accusing the secretary of illegally transferring the department's duties to other federal agencies.

    By Natalie Schwartz • June 25, 2026
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    Getty Images
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    Court temporarily blocks Ed Dept regulations limiting ‘professional’ degrees

    The agency released widely contested regulations this spring that blocked access to higher borrowing limits for many graduate students.

    By Ben Unglesbee • June 25, 2026
  • Immigration enforcement agents, including those from ICE, line the hallways outside immigration court in New York City
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Trump immigration policies fueled absenteeism uptick, research says

    Even a federal law enforcement vehicle parked a block and a half away were enough to impact attendance, an Annenberg researcher said.

    By • June 25, 2026
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    Mike Simons via Getty Images
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    Half of Americans favor Ten Commandment displays. More support school employees leading prayer

    About 60% of Americans support some form of teacher-led school prayer, but most say student participation should be optional, Pew Research found.

    By • June 25, 2026
  • A group of people are standing outside the U.S. Department of Education with signs
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    Some Education Department cuts ‘appear’ to impact legal duties, OIG says

    The independent office says a 40% staff reduction in early 2025 affected the Education Department's legal duties. The agency says it remains compliant.

    By • June 23, 2026
  • An aerial view of the Miami city skyline during sunset.
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    Getty Images
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    Miami-Dade County Public Schools approves closure, consolidation of 9 schools

    The district’s school board unanimously approved the plan without a roll call vote. The board also voted to eliminate 168 district positions.

    By • June 23, 2026
  • A baby is sitting on the floor playing with blocks. An adult is watching and clapping and a young student is standing watching in the background.
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    Courtney Hale via Getty Images
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    More than half of states miss targets for improving special education

    States labeled as needing intervention or assistance for multiple years could face enforcement actions such as being termed a high-risk grantee.

    By • June 23, 2026
  • U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission exterior
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    Caroline Colvin/K-12 Dive
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    EEOC opens antisemitism probe into NEA, Brandeis Center says

    The center's complaint alleges the teachers union didn’t specify Jews as the primary victims of the Holocaust, among other things. NEA has said it "does not tolerate antisemitism in any form."

    By • June 22, 2026