Policy & Legal

Supply chain woes hit school foodservice departments

As national food chain supply shortages hit districts hard, school meal program directors switch up menu plans on a daily basis.

By Anna Merod • Oct. 19, 2021

Report: District boundaries, affordable housing access fuel funding disparities

Researchers with Bellwether Education Partners find an inequitable funding gap that averages $6,355 per pupil for districts.

By Anna Merod • Oct. 15, 2021

Schools look to increase rigor of teacher preparation while still facing shortages

Indiana won’t allow special education emergency teaching permits beginning 2022-23 but will accept teachers actively preparing for full licensure.

By Kara Arundel • Oct. 13, 2021

Wallace Foundation identifies 6 policy areas where lawmakers can support principal pipelines

A report suggests states should adopt approaches offering flexibility and district incentives to launch pipeline initiatives rather than embracing rigid standards.

By Roger Riddell • Oct. 08, 2021

School COVID-19 testing hit with supply chain delays, bandwidth challenges

Federal officials have promised an increase in testing capacity, which helped schools reopen for in-person learning toward the end of the last school year.

By Naaz Modan • Oct. 08, 2021

How can districts protect school boards, administrators as threats grow?

School systems are often reluctant to consider safety precautions for administrative buildings, but threats and intimidation may force the issue.

By Kara Arundel • Oct. 07, 2021

How will pandemic learning impact graduation rates long-term?

The latest Building A Grad Nation report suggests no significant drop yet from early evidence, but a lack of sustained state support could lead to declines.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Oct. 06, 2021

Congressional hearings focus on school safety protocols, relief funding

Mask mandate bans and shortages of COVID-19 tests are complicating returns to in-person learning, lawmakers said.

By Kara Arundel • Oct. 01, 2021

CDC reiterates school quarantine guidance as states and districts shorten recommendations

Center on Reinventing Public Education research finds many districts have shortened quarantine periods since the start of the school year.

By Roger Riddell • Sept. 30, 2021

7 strategies to prevent chronic absenteeism in the return to school

Low attendance may indicate positive learning conditions are missing and interventions are needed, said panelists during a Wednesday webinar.

By Kara Arundel • Sept. 30, 2021

Equity is only possible with quality information

Nevada's state superintendent writes that using data, including assessments, to support student success is critical to ensuring equal learning opportunities.

By Jhone Ebert • Sept. 29, 2021

Report: Monitoring online student activity may create privacy disparities

Students in lower-income districts using school-issued devices are more likely to be monitored, according to the Center for Democracy & Technology.

By Kara Arundel • Sept. 27, 2021

CDC: Child obesity jumped during COVID-19 pandemic

Research cites school closures, disrupted routines, increased stress, and less opportunity for physical activity and proper nutrition as contributing factors.

By Roger Riddell • Sept. 24, 2021

How districts can support students with disabilities amid school mask debates

As lawsuits make their way through courts, schools should look into each student's circumstances to determine how to customize supports, experts say.

By Kara Arundel • Sept. 22, 2021

How can schools in cities keep students safe amid uptick in gun violence?

With more school-aged youth involved in shootings in the past year, there are steps schools can take to help curb the trend.

By Katie Navarra • Sept. 21, 2021

Variation in coronavirus school safety requirements creates discord across states

State laws and orders running counter to federal guidelines have left school communities in difficult positions on vaccines, masks and quarantines.

By Naaz Modan • Sept. 21, 2021

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