Policy & Legal

Study: Anti-CRT campaigns impact districts with 35% of nation's students

The research analyzes how a broad network of conservative organizations fueled sweeping local action in the critical race theory “conflict campaign.”

By Anna Merod • Jan. 21, 2022

States easing substitute teaching requirements to soften shortage impacts

While encouraged by recent state-approved solutions, experts worry how ongoing substitute shortages will continue to harm students, staff.

By Anna Merod • Jan. 20, 2022

GAO: Schools with vulnerable students face 'heightened challenges' post-natural disaster

While impacts of natural disasters are long term, funding can dissipate in the short term before full need is met.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 19, 2022

States look to ease funding declines spurred by low student attendance

How states count students and when those counts take place can have big impacts on state-to-district allocations.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 18, 2022

Study: Student affordability views impact college enrollment, and trends could worsen during COVID

Significant disparities in enrollment exist between students who thought their families could afford college versus those who didn’t, NCES data shows.

By Anna Merod • Jan. 14, 2022

SCOTUS blocks Biden vaccine mandate, relieving districts of compliance

In the meantime, districts are tied to local and state requirements, and a future mandate could include "cramped and crowded" workplaces.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 13, 2022

Schools trim precautions as COVID-19 test shortages, infections grow

Districts are having to limit testing to return to school and contact tracing, though some experts suggest omicron signals the virus' transition to endemic.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 13, 2022

K-12 connectivity on the rise, but work still needed

As 25% more districts nationwide met FCC bandwidth goal in 2021, experts called the advancement encouraging.

By Anna Merod • Updated Jan. 14, 2022

Amid USDA's $750M boost to school meal support, experts question sustainability

Creating a universal school meals policy and balancing the supply chain are long-term solutions needed to sustain meal programs, experts say.

By Anna Merod • Jan. 12, 2022

Districts get creative to maintain special ed services as COVID drags on

As districts clear backlog of evaluations and IEP reviews, ensuring services and support remains challenging amid new bumps in the road.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 11, 2022

Where are state COVID vaccine mandates for schools heading?

Experts say more time might be needed for successful student vaccine mandates at the state level.

By Anna Merod • Jan. 10, 2022

5 superintendents to watch in 2022

These administrators' track records and outlooks toward top issues facing K-12 and the challenges ahead make them key players to keep an eye on.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 10, 2022

Amid omicron surge, policies restrict districts' remote learning options

Bus driver shortages and teacher absences are making it difficult to maintain in-person instruction, and virtual is no longer an option in some locations.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 7, 2022

3 inclusive education myths busted

A district assistive technology specialist writes that removing barriers for diverse students requires overcoming pervasive narratives in learning.

By Jamie Maier • Jan. 6, 2022

Omicron, staff shortages interrupt in-person school

Several large school systems are pivoting to remote learning as they balance health concerns with keeping students on track academically.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 5, 2022

With all 50 states' ARP plans approved, Ed Dept to release remaining $41B

District leaders hesitate to spend the funds on long-term programs despite three pots of ESSER relief and prompts from Ed Secretary Miguel Cardona. 

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 5, 2022

8 K-12 trends to watch in 2022

Fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing policy pingpong, curricular controversy and more are set to impact schools this year.

By Roger Riddell , Kara Arundel , Naaz Modan , Anna Merod • Jan. 4, 2022

Challenges persist in assessing, responding to threats against schools

Acts of violence against schools often happen after multiple red flags slip through the cracks, and threat assessment practices remain a topic of debate.

By Katie Navarra • Dec. 23, 2021

Schools encouraged to help students have positive social media experiences

Focus is growing on digital citizenship following social media-influenced threats of violence and acts of school destruction.

By Kara Arundel • Dec. 22, 2021

4 areas of focus to drive the future of education

With education at a crossroads, one expert writes that it's imperative to "keep driving" to expand educational access and opportunity.

By Christopher Thomas • Dec. 21, 2021

Teacher pay gains national attention after years of educator shortages

Some advocates suggest comprehensive teacher supply and demand data can help districts inform localized recruitment and retention strategies.

By Naaz Modan , Kara Arundel • Dec. 21, 2021

Will Bloomberg's $750M charter donation move the needle on public ed?

Charter advocates say the money will help build new schools, while some experts don't think the donation will cause a seismic shift.

By Anna Merod • Dec. 20, 2021

Title IX changes expected earlier than planned, but rule still 'a long ways away'

The Department of Education says the new timeline shows its commitment to following through with changes, but advocates say it could have done more.

By Naaz Modan • Dec. 17, 2021

Will more federal, state coordination on ESSER data produce more consistent results?

A Tuesday webinar from Georgetown University’s Edunomics Lab detailed challenges with finding accurate, recent data on districts' relief spending. 

By Anna Merod • Dec. 16, 2021

New Hampshire lawsuit challenges law on 'divisive concepts' in classrooms

The parent and teacher suit over the ban's constitutionality is the latest to push back against laws drafted by states in response to 'critical race theory.'

By Naaz Modan • Dec. 16, 2021