Policy & Legal

  • Donald Trump addresses a crowd
    Image attribution tooltip
    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    What to watch in K-12 as Trump kicks off 2nd term

    The potential expansion of school choice and less federal bureaucracy has some hopeful as the presidency transfers to Donald Trump.

    By K-12 Dive staff • Jan. 21, 2025
  • The exterior of a white stone building with windows is shown. The words U.S. Department of Education is on the side of the building.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kara Arundel/K-12 Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    OCR complaints, resolutions increased under the Biden administration

    The Office for Civil Rights resolved 14% more complaints than under the first Trump administration, according to a report released Thursday.

    By • Jan. 21, 2025
  • Explore the Trendline➔
    Image attribution tooltip
    Michael Loccisano via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Trendline

    Equity in Education

    From early learning to high school, the pandemic impacted equity at all levels of K-12, from persistent and widening achievement gaps to uneven access to school meals.

    By K-12 Dive staff
  • False Claims Act, Wisconsin Bell
    Image attribution tooltip
    Perry Spring via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    SCOTUS to hear case on LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum opt-outs

    Justices will determine whether parents’ First Amendment rights are violated when they can’t opt children out of instruction that runs counter to their religious beliefs.

    By • Jan. 17, 2025
  • A photo illustration of a circle encompassing a question mark, pencil, and scantron test.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

    Image attribution tooltip
    POP QUIZ

    Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

    From a major ed tech data breach to a former principal's lawsuit over deepfakes, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • Jan. 17, 2025
  • A Black woman in a blue jacket and statement glasses speaks in front of a blue background with an American flag
    Image attribution tooltip
    Paul Morigi for Care Can't Wait Action via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    In historic move, SEIU rejoins AFL-CIO

    Both unions include chapters representing school service workers, and AFL-CIO includes the American Federation of Teachers among its affiliates.

    By Caroline Colvin • Jan. 16, 2025
  • An overhead view of two students holding trays with sandwiches as they wait in line in a cafeteria.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Stock Photo via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Unpaid school meal debt continues nearly decade-long rise

    School Nutrition Association data shows the median unpaid meal debt hit $6,900 per district in 2024, up 26% from the previous year.

    By • Jan. 15, 2025
  • A handful of young students are in a room with desks. They are looking at one computer monitor on the desk that also has other computer monitors
    Image attribution tooltip
    FatCamera via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    State ed tech leaders call for ‘universal connectivity’ to help students learn on and off campus

    A new SETDA report raises concerns about cybersecurity vulnerabilities, digital skills gap and sustained funding for ed tech initiatives.

    By • Jan. 15, 2025
  • A row of students standing and leaning against a brick wall. In their hands are cellphones
    Image attribution tooltip
    Wavebreakmedia via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Student, teacher AI use continued to climb in 2023-24 school year

    Some 39% of teachers reported regularly using detection tech to spot AI-related plagiarism, according to the Center for Democracy & Technology.

    By • Jan. 15, 2025
  • A view of the U.S. Capitol Building from an alcove
    Image attribution tooltip
    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    House passes bill to restrict transgender students’ participation in girls’ sports

    The Senate has introduced companion legislation, though the proposal may have a tough time overcoming the chamber’s filibuster rule. 

    By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 14, 2025
  • Three students with their backs turned toward the camera walk along a college campus.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alvarog1970 via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    National Student Clearinghouse Research Center reveals error in fall first-year student count

    A methodology error resulted in an undercount of first-year students and an overcount of dual enrollees, the research center’s executive director said. 

    By Laura Spitalniak , Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 14, 2025
  • A person is standing at a side angle in a classroom with laboratory tables facing another person whose face is turned to the other person. Other people are standing around in the background
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from U.S. Department of Education/Flickr.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Q&A

    ‘We raised the bar’: Cardona shares highs, lows as he exits Education Dept.

    Miguel Cardona, the nation’s 12th education secretary, said he's most proud of the work that focused on instruction and put more resources in schools.

    By • Jan. 14, 2025
  • New York Gov. Kathy Hochul stands behind a podium next to a variety of food items as she announces a universal school meals proposal in a school cafeteria.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul.
    Image attribution tooltip

    New York Gov. Hochul proposes universal school meals

    The governor will ask lawmakers to approve the measure, which would feed an estimated 2.7 million students, in her annual State of State address.

    By • Jan. 13, 2025
  • FAFSA form
    Image attribution tooltip
    Richard Stephen via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    What do FAFSA completion rates look like post-pandemic?

    Lower shares of middle-income students in the class of 2023 completed the federal financial aid form than those who graduated before the health crisis. 

    By Lilah Burke • Jan. 13, 2025
  • AI, mass lawsuits
    Image attribution tooltip
    imaginima via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Former principal sues Baltimore County schools over alleged racist AI deepfake

    Eric Eiswert’s lawsuit accuses the Maryland district of negligence in hiring, retention and supervision, as well as defamation, slander and libel.

    By • Jan. 10, 2025
  • A photo illustration of a circle encompassing a question mark, pencil, and scantron test.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

    Image attribution tooltip
    POP QUIZ

    Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

    From the Education Department’s withdrawal of a proposed rule to the latest school shooting data trends, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • Jan. 10, 2025
  • A single opened padlock glows red among rows of closed blue padlocks.
    Image attribution tooltip
    JuSun via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    PowerSchool data breach possibly exposed student, staff data

    The cloud-based K-12 software provider confirmed a compromised credential was used to access its PowerSource customer support portal.

    By • Jan. 9, 2025
  • Close up shiny wooden law gavel in dark brown color on top of a wooden table in an office.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Stock Photo via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Federal judge strikes down Biden administration’s Title IX rule nationwide

    The ruling vacates regulations that had enshrined protections for the first time for LGBTQI+ students and employees.

    By Natalie Schwartz , • Updated Jan. 10, 2025
  • Ransomware spelled out in a creative depiction.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Just_Super via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Education-related ransomware attacks worldwide fell in 2024

    Last year's ransomware attack counts will likely rise as more incidents are confirmed in the coming months, according to Comparitech.

    By • Jan. 9, 2025
  • Young students sit at individual desks facing the front of the classroom with their hands raised.
    Image attribution tooltip
    PeopleImages via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    6 trends that will shape K-12 in 2025

    Strained budgets, cybersecurity threats, book bans and artificial intelligence are among the bevy of challenges for school leaders to navigate.

    By , • Jan. 9, 2025
  • A child and an adult hands are shown holding colorful and large puzzle pieces put together
    Image attribution tooltip
    Jatuporn Tansirimas via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Congress extends Autism CARES Act for 5 more years

    The federal law will provide nearly $2 billion for research, training and services, including for early detection and interventions.

    By • Jan. 8, 2025
  • A student is laying on the floor with their hands over their face. A laptop, books, a phone and notebooks are on the floor surrounding the person.
    Image attribution tooltip
    PeopleImages via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Mental health crisis demands greater coordination between schools, pediatricians

    Increased access to youth behavioral health and substance abuse services is needed, says a report from the Bipartisan Policy Center.

    By • Jan. 8, 2025
  • A close up view of a sculpture reads "the Ten Commandments. I am the LORD thy God."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Michael Smith via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    ACLU warns Louisiana superintendents not to post Ten Commandments in classrooms

    Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill had advised district leaders not impacted by a lawsuit to display the commandments per a new state law.

    By • Jan. 7, 2025
  • The secretary-treasurer of the Teamsters Local 2010 union raises his arms as he speaks on a stage.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Teamsters Local 2010
    Image attribution tooltip

    Principal, administrator unions rising steadily since COVID

    As more school leaders are joining unions for the first time, some in large school systems like LAUSD are looking to strengthen bargaining power.

    By • Jan. 7, 2025
  • A teacher is standing while instructing in front of a classroom of students.
    Image attribution tooltip
    xavierarnau via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    ESA programs getting underway in Alabama, Louisiana

    The new state programs come as private school choice initiatives continue to gain traction and as a choice-friendly administration enters the White House.

    By • Jan. 7, 2025
  • Several hands reach for a volleyball over a net.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Tashi-Delek via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    House Republicans prioritize bill to restrict transgender students’ sports participation

    Lawmakers reintroduced a proposal that would prevent transgender girls from competing on sports teams aligning with their gender identity.

    By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 6, 2025