Policy & Legal

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    Photo illustration by Andrew Harnik/K-12 Dive; photograph by Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    DOJ targets college access for undocumented students in 6th lawsuit

    The lawsuits are related to policy changes that could impact dual enrollment and high school students' access to career and technical education programs.

    By • Nov. 21, 2025
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    POP QUIZ

    Test yourself on the past week’s K-12 news

    From another shakeup at the Education Department to growth in Arizona’s universal school choice program, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • Nov. 21, 2025
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    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from K-12 Dive

    K-12 Dive has gathered some a selection of our best coverage from 2025 so far as a one-stop resource on the trends to watch in the months ahead.

    By K-12 Dive staff
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    Retrieved from U.S. Department of Education/Flickr.
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    Education Department breakup divides K-12 community

    Supporters say the interagency agreements will reduce federal bloat. Critics worry educational opportunities for students will be lost.

    By • Nov. 21, 2025
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    Special educators, disability advocates form united front to protect IDEA

    The 850-member coalition supports keeping special education programming at the Education Department, saying moving it would put IDEA services at risk.

    By • Nov. 20, 2025
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    Retrieved from Ben Gamla Charter School on November 19, 2025
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    Another religious school to apply for public charter status in Oklahoma

    The effort by a Jewish school comes on the heels of a Supreme Court case involving a Catholic virtual school that had applied to become a public charter.

    By • Nov. 20, 2025
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    More Texas school districts ordered to take down Ten Commandments displays

    The temporary order by a federal judge said a Texas law’s requirements to put up the Ten Commandments in every classroom violates the First Amendment.

    By • Nov. 19, 2025
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    How California ensured cultural responsiveness in early literacy screenings

    The state prioritized inclusivity for English learners in the tools it uses to screen for reading difficulties, a university researcher says.

    By Ed Finkel • Nov. 19, 2025
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    Supreme Court won’t hear football prayer loudspeaker case

    Its rejection comes on the heels of another case in 2022 that allowed school staff to engage in prayer with students in some situations.

    By • Nov. 19, 2025
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Education Department outsources program management to other agencies

    The interagency agreements will shift management of six of the department’s programs, including elementary and secondary education, to other agencies.

    By • Updated Nov. 18, 2025
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    Special educator shortages demand tailored solutions, study says

    Researchers find that state and local policies need to target not only attrition but also the reasons behind turnover.

    By Lara Ewen • Updated Nov. 18, 2025
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    Kayla Bartkowski / Staff via Getty Images
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    Week In Review: Education Department activities resume

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from special education concerns to enrollment woes.

    By • Nov. 17, 2025
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    4nadia via Getty Images
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    Lessons learned from Arizona’s universal school choice program

    The state’s universal private school choice program grew 633% between 2021-22 and 2024-25, equaling about 7% of the state’s school population last year.

    By • Nov. 17, 2025
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    POP QUIZ

    Test yourself on the past week’s K-12 news

    From enrollment-based decision-making to AI literacy, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • Nov. 14, 2025
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    Education Department resumes operations after prolonged shutdown

    The temporary budget deal funds the Education Department through Jan. 30, 2026, and requires the reinstatement of RIFed employees.

    By • Nov. 13, 2025
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    SNAP funding restored through next September

    The funding bill President Donald Trump signed Wednesday includes $107.5 billion for SNAP and $8.2 billion for WIC.

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • Nov. 13, 2025
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    Illustration: Cathryn Virginia for Industry Dive

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    STAFFED UP

    Will Trump policies exacerbate the special education teacher shortage?

    Special education and teacher preparation experts warn that federal efforts to shrink the Education Department put the special educator pipeline at risk.

    By • Nov. 13, 2025
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    monkeybusinessimages via Getty Images
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    Where the federal school choice program stands

    The U.S. Department of Treasury is expected to issue proposed rules early next year detailing how the program will operate and how states can opt in.

    By • Nov. 13, 2025
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    bymuratdeniz via Getty Images
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    Advocates ask to keep data collection for special education racial disparities

    The Education Department wants to ease state data collection burdens. Critics say the change would limit transparency and harm equity efforts.

    By • Nov. 12, 2025
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    USDA reverses course on SNAP

    The agency that runs the food aid program said Saturday that states are not authorized to load full November benefits for the food aid program.

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • Nov. 10, 2025
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    Week In Review: Special education debates ramp up

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from enrollment trends to Colorado’s support for universal meals.

    By • Nov. 10, 2025
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    USDA will fully cover SNAP benefits for November

    The Department of Agriculture said Friday it has started issuing funds to states in order to comply with a Rhode Island court order.

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • Updated Nov. 7, 2025
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    Indiana AG sues Indianapolis Public Schools for hindering ICE efforts

    The Indianapolis Public Schools Board of School Commissioners framed the lawsuit against the district as “silly” and “political posturing.”

    By • Nov. 7, 2025
  • A photo illustration of a circle encompassing a question mark, pencil, and scantron test.
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    POP QUIZ

    Test yourself on the past week’s K-12 news

    From superintendent turnover rates to the number of teachers using AI for special education, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • Nov. 7, 2025
  • Rows of empty chairs and desks sit in front of a blank chalkboard in a school classroom.
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    States, districts grapple with declining enrollment

    We’re rounding up the numbers — and what school leaders are facing — in a handful of states and districts.

    By • Nov. 7, 2025
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Why shifting special ed oversight could be ‘a public education crisis’

    Though there's still no official plan to transfer the duties out of the Education Department, advocates are voicing concerns against such a move.

    By • Nov. 6, 2025