Policy & Legal

NASSP: Federal support needed to curb threats, violence toward school leaders

Conflicts over schools' COVID-19 safety measures have seen principals face threats to their personal safety as well as that of their schools.

By Roger Riddell • Sept. 17, 2021

Panelists: Heal school community polarization for sake of children's health

Leaders can start by validating people’s concerns and emphasizing that everyone wants the same thing — to keep students safe.

By Kara Arundel • Sept. 16, 2021

School districts hesitate to use ARP funding for construction projects

The tight spending deadline and issues finding contractors make it difficult for districts to use American Rescue Plan funds to renovate or build new facilities.

By Sebastian Obando • Sept. 14, 2021

Report: Attendance boundary changes can alleviate school segregation

Districts have the power to make even small changes that can reduce inequality between schools, according to Urban Institute research.

By Kara Arundel • Sept. 14, 2021

Ed Dept announces Project SAFE grants to support districts facing state penalties over masks

The program is part of President Joe Biden's latest steps to address the spread of COVID-19 as several states retain bans on school mask mandates.

By Roger Riddell • Sept. 09, 2021

Feds to require large employers mandate coronavirus vaccine

The requirements will impact some 80 million workers in the private sector, in addition to many federal employees and contractors, the White House said.

By Ryan Golden • UPDATED: Sept. 10, 2021 at 9:19 a.m.

Justice Kagan sides with district on right to remove student under Title IX

The case is among the first to challenge emergency powers granted to school districts last year under the Trump administration.

By Naaz Modan • Sept. 09, 2021

Groups request details on ESSER spending for underserved students

The data reporting on relief funding will be valuable but could be burdensome for school systems, some organizations say.

By Kara Arundel • Sept. 07, 2021

Schools updating remote learning policies in reaction to COVID-19 cases, quarantines

Districts nationwide are taking different approaches to balance the safety of students and staff with pressures to provide full-time, in-person learning.

By Kara Arundel • Sept. 03, 2021

OCR opens discrimination investigation into Florida school masking policy

The latest investigation joins mask mandate ban inquiries in five other states over compliance with the Rehabilitation Act and Americans with Disabilities Act.

By Kara Arundel • Aug. 30, 2021

FCC to open second application window for $7.2B Emergency Connectivity Fund

The agency is making the additional 15-day window available in response to outstanding demand for support for the current school year.

By Roger Riddell • Aug. 26, 2021

Cardona: Mask mandate bans could be civil rights, discrimination issue

The education secretary also expressed support for superintendents defying such bans.

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 18, 2021

After feds intervene, Texas Education Agency says it won't enforce mask mandate ban

The Texas Supreme Court earlier this week backed Gov. Greg Abbott's ban following a letter to the state from Education Secretary Miguel Cardona.

By Naaz Modan • UPDATED: Aug. 20, 2021 at 9:57 a.m.

How are schools addressing COVID-19 quarantines for fall?

The pandemic is disrupting in-person learning for a third school year in a row, but this time, remote learning policies for quarantines aren't so clear.

By Kara Arundel • Aug. 16, 2021

For first time, OCR asks districts for civil rights data 2 years in a row

Analyzing the pandemic's impact on school experiences is necessary, but district leaders worry about their capacity to meet data collection requirements.

By Kara Arundel • Aug. 16, 2021

Superintendents navigate fiery mask debates amid employment threats

Despite mask bans and threats to jobs, some leaders are requiring masks. They're difficult decisions one expert compared to "snow days on steroids."

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 13, 2021

California becomes first state to mandate vaccines for school employees

The requirement covers more than 800,000 teachers and school employees in public and private schools in the state.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Aug. 12, 2021

Deep Dive

Threat assessments: Preventing school violence or creating student trauma?

The school safety approach is used to evaluate a student’s potential to cause school violence, but critics say the practice is discriminatory and harmful.

By Kara Arundel • Aug. 10, 2021

Summer Reading: The delta variant's rapid reshaping of the new school year

A new wave of COVID-19 has quickly led to changes in guidance after many school leaders had hoped the worst of the pandemic had passed.

Sponsored by Council for Professional Recognition

Strangers in a strange land: Confronting the crisis at the border

The border crisis has put a spotlight on early childhood trauma, but this troubling issue isn't new.

CDC recommends quarantines for unvaccinated students, staff

The updated safety guidance came as the White House announced new initiatives for schools to encourage vaccinations.

By Kara Arundel • Aug. 06, 2021

Summer Reading: COVID-19's impact on ed tech, connectivity

The past year and a half led to seismic shifts in efforts to address digital equity gaps and integrate tech in learning.

School attorneys: Heated discourse at meetings shouldn't keep boards from conducting business

The public has a right to participation and free speech, but there are steps school boards can take to set expectations for decorum at meetings.

By Kara Arundel • July 26, 2021

Opinion

How universal meals nourish all students and transform citywide wellness

Two school nutrition services directors write that school meal policies provide an opportunity to close prominent, long-standing equity gaps.

By Laura Benavidez and Jennifer LeBarre • July 23, 2021

'We don't have big goals': Leaders call for ed transformation after COVID-19

Legislators and policymakers at a Reagan Institute event said bipartisanship needed for impactful change has been hard to come by.

By Naaz Modan • July 23, 2021