Policy & Legal
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Retrieved from U.S. Education Department/Flickr on May 13, 2026
Ed Department to release $144M for special education, early intervention
The Wednesday announcement also included guidance to states on using IDEA funds to help expectant parents of children with disabilities.
By Kara Arundel • May 13, 2026 -
Feds propose rule to help employers expand fertility benefit coverage
The proposal addresses a key plank in President Donald Trump’s labor agenda and would exempt fertility benefits from the requirements of some federal health coverage laws.
By Ryan Golden • May 13, 2026 -
Explore the Trendline➔
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TrendlineTop 5 stories from K-12 Dive
K-12 Dive has gathered some a selection of our best coverage as a one-stop resource on the trends to watch in the months ahead.
By K-12 Dive staff -
Canvas owner reaches ‘agreement’ with threat actors after data breach
Cybersecurity experts suggest that Instructure appears to have made a ransomware payment, which the FBI highly discourages.
By Anna Merod • May 12, 2026 -
Cellphone ban led to improved learning, attendance in Florida district
Suspension rates, however, spiked — particularly for Black students — in the first school year with limits in place, an Education Next paper says.
By Kara Arundel • May 12, 2026 -
Most districts now have 1:1 device programs. Pushback, finances could change that.
CoSN’s annual State of Ed Tech survey found 38% of ed tech leaders expect reduced funding to impact such initiatives.
By Anna Merod • May 12, 2026 -
Judge denies pause on ICE enforcement on school grounds
A federal judge said the Trump administration's 2025 policy change didn't alter the agency's authority to pursue such actions.
By Naaz Modan • May 11, 2026 -
Large shares of banned books feature people of color or are nonfiction, report says
Only 10% included "on the page" sexual experiences, or what others have called "pornography," according to PEN America.
By Naaz Modan • May 11, 2026 -
Week In Review: Cyberattacks and federal allegations
We’re rounding up last week’s news, from cellphone bans to proposed restrictions on artificial intelligence companions.
By Roger Riddell • May 11, 2026 -
Antisemitic incidents drop — but not at K-12 schools, says Anti-Defamation League
Incidents on college campuses, however, plummeted from 1,700 in 2024 to 583 in 2025, according to an audit report.
By Naaz Modan • May 8, 2026 -
POP QUIZ
Test yourself on the past week’s K-12 news
From a cybersecurity incident at an ed tech company to new Department of Justice probes into schools, what did you learn from our recent stories?
By Anna Merod • May 8, 2026 -
Some states reconsider private school voucher investments
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities says states should focus on financially supporting public K-12 systems.
By Kara Arundel • May 8, 2026 -
9 in 10 LGBTQ+ youth say policies related to their identity have caused stress
Over half experienced bullying, making them more likely to report significantly higher rates of attempting suicide than their peers, a Trevor Project says.
By Naaz Modan • May 8, 2026 -
Education Department accuses LAUSD of protecting sexual predators
The agency claims a district agreement with its union allows sexual predators to be "reassigned" to other schools, but the district said that is "not true."
By Naaz Modan • May 7, 2026 -
School cellphone bans improve discipline over time, but academic impacts are limited, study says
A National Bureau of Economic Research paper finds such restrictions had little impact on attendance, attention and perceived online bullying.
By Kara Arundel • May 6, 2026 -
OCR resolved only 1% of cases in 2025, Sanders reports
The findings from Sen. Bernie Sanders' office come the same week Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the agency was "not processing cases as quickly as we should."
By Naaz Modan • May 6, 2026 -
Instructure confirms cybersecurity incident
The ed tech company that operates Canvas said information impacted by the data breach includes messages, names, email addresses and student ID numbers.
By Anna Merod • May 5, 2026 -
Antisemitism allegations reach National Education Association
NEA discriminated against Jewish members by allowing pro-Palestinian activity that promoted "a hostile environment," a Brandeis Center complaint filed with EEOC alleges.
By Naaz Modan • May 5, 2026 -
Schools spend $4B on physical safety measures. Here’s what research says they should do instead.
The best way to keep students safe is through trusting relationships and positive school climates, says the Learning Policy Institute.
By Kara Arundel • May 5, 2026 -
(2026). [Screenshot]. Retrieved from Executive Business Meeting held by the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
Proposal to ban AI companions for minors advances in Senate
As the GUARD Act awaits floor action, other state and federal moves to limit such chatbots among children and teens are also gaining traction.
By Anna Merod • May 4, 2026 -
67% of high school graduates opting against college cite cost-of-living concerns, poll finds
New survey data from EAB suggests “a growing emphasis on immediate economic needs,” a report from the consultancy said.
By Laura Spitalniak • May 4, 2026 -
Philadelphia to close 17 schools as it aims to address ‘aging’ buildings
The closures approved Thursday are part of the district’s $3 billion facilities plan, which faced strong pushback from the community.
By Anna Merod • May 4, 2026 -
Week In Review: Inside the ‘science of math’ and teacher salaries
We’re rounding up last week’s news, from STEM teacher shortages to ed tech pushback.
By Roger Riddell • May 4, 2026 -
Justice Department launches probes into 36 Illinois school districts
The agency said it would be investigating if the districts included LGBTQ+ inclusive content in classrooms and if they allowed parental opt-outs.
By Naaz Modan • May 1, 2026 -
Feds proceed with $5.6M special education spending study
The National Study of Special Education Spending will be the first comprehensive, federally supported look into IDEA funding in two decades.
By Kara Arundel • May 1, 2026 -
POP QUIZ
Test yourself on the past week’s K-12 news
From the U.S. Supreme Court turning down a case to a budget hearing with U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon, what did you learn from our recent stories?
By Naaz Modan • May 1, 2026