Policy & Legal


  • Oklahoma AG once again at odds with state virtual charter board

    His lawsuit over a Jewish public charter’s rejected application follows the board’s failed bid to approve a Catholic public charter.

    By March 16, 2026
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    How districts are experimenting with outcomes-based contracts in ed tech

    As school leaders try to get a handle on ed tech investments, some are looking to make payments contingent upon student achievement.

    By March 16, 2026
  • Trendline

    Top 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
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    School choice lawsuits: Muslim families allege Islamic schools excluded in Texas

    Plaintiffs in two cases contend that hundreds of other private schools, including Christian schools, were approved for the program.

    By March 16, 2026
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    California children’s online protections law can partially take effect — for now

    The 9th Circuit's ruling comes as state and federal lawmakers debate the best ways to address negative impacts of social media on youngsters.

    By March 16, 2026
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    Week In Review: How states’ K-12 funding proportions have changed

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from SXSW EDU to superintendents navigating ICE activities.

    By March 16, 2026
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    Michael Santiago via Getty Images
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    Districts express concerns over pending USDA updates to nutrition standards

    School nutrition leaders and advocates are worried the anticipated school meal guidelines could add financial strain among other challenges.

    By March 13, 2026
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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 federal effort to limit DEI to New Orleans’ public school enrollment shifts, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By March 13, 2026
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    Fort Bend ISD will close 7 elementary schools

    The decision, effective in the 2026-27 school year, comes as the Texas district faces a projected $56.4 million budget deficit driven by enrollment declines.

    By March 13, 2026
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    42 states allot smaller portion of funds to K-12 compared to 20 years ago, report says

    Roughly 66% of students enrolled in chronically underfunded districts are disproportionately concentrated in just 10 states.

    By March 12, 2026
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    John Moore via Getty Images
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    What to know about ICE’s impact on schools

    As schools contend with the effects of increased operations in their communities, we've gathered recent coverage to help you get up to speed.

    By March 12, 2026
  • Insurrectionist waving a "Trump is President" flag on the steps inside the Capitol building
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    Win McNamee/Staff via Getty Images
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    Virginia passes bill barring schools from teaching Jan. 6 as ‘peaceful protest’

    Gov. Abigail Spanberger is expected to sign the legislation, which would require lessons to present the event as “an unprecedented, violent attack.”

    By March 11, 2026
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    New Orleans’ public school enrollment is dropping and likely won’t stop

    Enrollment concerns are being fueled by the city’s birthrate hitting its lowest point since Hurricane Katrina, according to a local nonprofit’s research.

    By March 11, 2026
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    Al Drago / Stringer via Getty Images
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    Indiana public colleges must soon accept this alternative to the SAT and ACT

    The state's public colleges will be required to accept the Classic Learning Test, a conservative darling, in their admissions beginning in July.

    By Laura Spitalniak • March 10, 2026
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    GSA plan would ban DEI for all federal funding recipients — including schools

    The General Services Administration proposal comes after a similar policy from the U.S. Department of Education was blocked in courts.

    By March 10, 2026
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    Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act advances to full House vote

    The measure included the Kids Online Safety Act, though House Democrats contended the bill would leave a “giant loophole” for Big Tech.

    By March 9, 2026
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    Stephen Maturen via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Superintendents have a message for ICE

    Educators are mobilizing for the safety and funding of their districts, which they say are at risk, as lawmakers call for ICE reforms including at schools.

    By March 9, 2026
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    Week In Review: McMahon marks first year in office

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from proposed ed tech limits to interagency agreements.

    By March 9, 2026
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    Retrieved from U.S. Department of Education/Flickr on March 05, 2026
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    Special education advocates warn against future program transfers

    They worry that moving IDEA services out of the Education Department would diminish oversight for civil rights and accountability.

    By March 6, 2026
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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 a U.S. Supreme Court decision to school closures in one of the nation’s largest districts, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By March 6, 2026
  • The outside of the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C. is shown on a close day. People are walking on the sidewalk in front of the building.
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    John M. Chase via Getty Images
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    Education Department urged to broaden ‘professional’ student definition

    The agency’s proposed rule would limit graduate students in education from being able to borrow no more than $100,000 in federal student loans.

    By Ben Unglesbee , March 6, 2026
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    Justin Sullivan / Staff via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    How should HR handle politics in the workplace?

    When an employee’s political expression interferes with business operations, HR must know how to proceed, writes David Urban, senior counsel at Liebert Cassidy Whitmore.

    By David Urban • March 5, 2026
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    Michael Loccisano via Getty Images
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    GAO: Data is unreliable from COVID maintenance of equity provision

    The analysis into how the provision for federal pandemic emergency aid was implemented in states and districts offers lessons for future grant oversight.

    By March 5, 2026
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    Key federal education data collections under review in IES overhaul

    An internal document recommended "six big shifts" for the Institute for Education Sciences, which was gutted by layoffs a year ago.

    By March 4, 2026
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    Courtesy of Thomas More Society
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    Supreme Court deals blow to school policies protecting student LGBTQ+ identities

    The lawsuit out of California was filed by teachers and parents who said such policies violate their First and 14th Amendment rights.

    By March 3, 2026
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    Retrieved from U.S. Department of Education/Flickr on March 02, 2026
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    Q&A

    McMahon: Education Department shutdown is still the goal

    One year into the job, the education secretary is setting her sights on improving literacy and expanding school choice. 

    By March 3, 2026