New Jersey becomes latest state to prohibit book bans

Though similar laws have gained steam in Democratic-leaning states, at least one — Illinois — has begun to see pushback.

By Anna Merod • Dec. 11, 2024

High school graduates to peak in 2025, with slightly deeper-than-expected declines ahead

The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education’s latest projections serve as a call for policymakers and colleges to boost attendance rates.

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 11, 2024

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from K-12 Dive

K-12 Dive has gathered some a selection of our best coverage from 2024 so far as a one-stop resource on the trends to watch in the months ahead.

By K-12 Dive staff

States receive $1.7B in ARP pandemic spending extensions so far

Updated U.S. Department of Education figures show seven states and Puerto Rico gained a longer deadline to spend ARP-ESSER dollars.

By Kara Arundel • Dec. 10, 2024

Teacher diversity lags behind rate in broader workforce

The gap is raising concerns that people of color are opting out of careers in education, a Natonal Council on Teacher Quality report suggests.

By Anna Merod • Dec. 10, 2024

Supreme Court declines K-12 cases on gender support plan, race-conscious admissions

In a dissent on the transgender-related case, two justices called the issue presented "a question of great and growing national importance."

By Roger Riddell • Dec. 9, 2024

What do special education advocates anticipate from a 2nd Trump term?

Some advocacy groups are preparing to defend the federal government's role in supporting public school students with disabilities.

By Kara Arundel • Dec. 9, 2024

Federal judge upholds race-conscious admissions at Naval Academy

The ruling deals a blow to Students for Fair Admissions, the group that successfully brought down these practices at civilian colleges.

By Laura Spitalniak • Dec. 6, 2024

What Trump’s pick for FCC chair could mean for E-rate expansion

As a commissioner, Brendan Carr dissented against the inclusion of school bus Wi-Fi and hotspots, but it’s unclear where he would lead the program next.

By Anna Merod • Dec. 6, 2024

What is E-rate and how does it benefit schools?

With the FCC program’s future in legal limbo, here’s what it means for schools and libraries that use the federal funds for affordable internet connectivity.

By Anna Merod • Dec. 6, 2024

Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

From new math performance data to the 20th anniversary of a federal law’s last reauthorization, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Anna Merod • Dec. 6, 2024

Reading wars head to court: Lawsuit claims ‘deceptive’ practices by famed literacy specialists

The plaintiffs sold faulty curricula that “sought to diminish and even exclude” phonics instruction, two mothers claim in a suit seeking class-action status.

By Roger Riddell • Dec. 5, 2024

‘No one-size-fits-all’ student cellphone policy, says Education Department

In a new resource, the agency encourages schools, districts and states to develop policies in collaboration with families, students and educators.

By Kara Arundel • Dec. 4, 2024

Math scores plummet, progress ‘erased,’ NCES reports

Average U.S. math scores on the latest Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study reverted to 1995 levels.

By Anna Merod • Dec. 4, 2024

Special education teacher shortages subject of public listening session

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights wants to hear from educators, parents, students and community members as it develops recommendations.

By Kara Arundel • Dec. 3, 2024

IDEA 2004 turns 20: How the landmark reauthorization changed special education

While gains have come for inclusion of students with disabilities, underfunding and teacher shortages remain struggles.

By Kara Arundel • Dec. 3, 2024

Education Department promotes expanded use of behavior assessments

Students with and without disabilities can benefit from individualized interventions intended to improve classroom behaviors, new guidance says.

By Kara Arundel • Dec. 2, 2024

Ohio becomes latest state to restrict transgender students’ bathroom access

Under the Protect All Students Act, K-12 and college students in the state can only use multiperson facilities aligned with their sex assigned at birth.

By Anna Merod , Kara Arundel • Dec. 2, 2024

The K-12 Dive Awards for 2024

These leaders are achieving excellence through commitments to school culture and community, innovation, and wraparound services for students.

By Roger Riddell • Nov. 27, 2024

Why E-rate’s future is now in the hands of the Supreme Court

The court is set to review the 5th Circuit’s decision striking down the funding mechanism for the FCC’s Universal Service Fund next year.

By Anna Merod • Nov. 27, 2024

District of the Year: Ector County ISD

In the past five years, the Texas district’s investments in staffing and high dosage tutoring are paying off.

By Anna Merod • Nov. 27, 2024

Trump picks Rollins to lead USDA — and thus school nutrition programs

Like Trump’s nomination for education secretary, Rollins also comes from the right-wing think tank America First Policy Institute.

By Sarah Zimmerman , Anna Merod • Nov. 26, 2024

Superintendent of the Year: Tiffany Anderson, Topeka Public Schools

Over the past eight years, Anderson has reimagined leadership structures, invested in teacher housing initiatives, and kept one foot in the classroom.

By Roger Riddell • Updated Nov. 26, 2024

How RFK Jr. could shake up school lunches

Trump’s HHS pick is expected to work to eliminate processed foods from school meals and push for the removal of dyes from cereals and other items.

By David Silverberg • Nov. 26, 2024

High school students report challenges in accessing skilled trades training

Training programs can’t keep up with demand, which may signal a need for employer investments, a report found.

By Carolyn Crist • Nov. 25, 2024

Nation’s Report Card to debut new poverty measurement

The metric for students’ socioeconomic status will include factors such as the number of books in homes and parents’ education levels.

By Anna Merod • Nov. 25, 2024