Policy & Legal

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    Kara Arundel/K-12 Dive
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    CEC 2025

    How Washington state is reducing restraint and seclusion in schools

    The state is focusing on behavioral supports and addressing disparities within these practices, speakers at the Council for Exceptional Children convention said.

    By • March 18, 2025
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    Democrats demand details on Education Department layoffs

    The cuts could hinder the agency’s ability to uphold its duties under key federal laws, according to the letter from three congressional leaders.

    By • March 17, 2025
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    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
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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    School choice, waning voter support weigh on public schools post-COVID

    A new Moody’s report highlights a surge in private school choice programs alongside a drop in approval for school tax measures in several states.

    By • March 17, 2025
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    Roger Riddell/K-12 Dive
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    AASA '25

    How challenges, experiences shape superintendents of color

    Identity, allies and community engagement all play key roles in success and longevity for these education leaders.

    By • March 14, 2025
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    POP QUIZ

    Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

    From massive layoffs at the Education Department to new data on schools experiencing cyber incidents, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • March 14, 2025
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    alacatr via Getty Images
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    HVAC improvements shown to improve student outcomes

    Metrics on absenteeism, suspension rates and math scores grew more positive as upgrades or replacements were made, a study finds.

    By Robert Freedman • March 14, 2025
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    Stephanie Keith via Getty Images
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    Trump administration silent on Muslim students’ civil rights

    While this Education Department has taken strong action on antisemitism, its directives to date have not mentioned Islamophobia.

    By • March 13, 2025
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    Apu Gomes via Getty Images
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    California wildfires disproportionately hurt the most vulnerable students

    A new report from EdTrust and UndauntedK12 details how devastating climate events can exacerbate gaps in students' academic performance.

    By • March 13, 2025
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    skynesher via Getty Images
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    Teacher training grants temporarily reinstated in 8 states

    Attorneys general from the affected states are suing the Education Department for cutting millions in funding for teacher pipeline programs.

    By • March 13, 2025
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    Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Half of OCR eliminated after Trump Education Department layoffs

    The shuttering of seven civil rights enforcement offices means thousands of cases impacting schools in half the nation are up in the air.

    By • March 12, 2025
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    Permission granted by AASA Conference Daily Online
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    Q&A // AASA '25

    AASA chief: Assessments need to reflect the world students live in now

    David Schuler shares his perspective on testing, misinformation and other challenges vexing school superintendents.

    By • March 12, 2025
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    Techa Tungateja via Getty Images
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    After breach of school staff financial data, ransomware gang takes credit

    Carruth Compliance Consulting was targeted in a December 2024 data breach, which impacted over 110,000 school employees, according to Comparitech.

    By • March 12, 2025
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    Education Department announces massive layoffs, slashing nearly half its workforce

    The agency’s employee count will plummet from 4,133 when President Donald Trump was inaugurated to about 2,183.

    By • Updated March 11, 2025
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    Kara Arundel/K-12 Dive
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    Republican lawmakers tout proposal for national private school choice

    Supporters say students need options beyond "failing schools," but opponents say improving public schools should be the priority.

    By • March 11, 2025
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    Opinion

    Expand access to education to help South Carolina children learn

    Jeb Bush writes that thousands of students "could finally afford the education of their dreams" with the state's proposed Education Scholarship Trust Fund.

    By Jeb Bush • March 10, 2025
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    Courtesy of National Education Association
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    Trump’s Education Department changes could lead to systemic ‘chaos’

    Cuts to contracts, staff and civil rights probes might backfire, leading to less oversight and more mismanagement, education experts warn.

    By • March 10, 2025
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    Stock Photo via Getty Images
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    82% of K-12 schools recently experienced a cyber incident

    Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting school networks through phishing and social engineering, a cybersecurity nonprofit reported.

    By • March 10, 2025
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    Roger Riddell/K-12 Dive
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    AASA '25

    Misinformation is flooding school communities. Here are 3 strategies to combat it.

    Consistency, simplicity and thorough planning are essential to help stakeholders cut through the noise, panelists at AASA’s annual conference said.

    By • March 7, 2025
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Democratic AGs sue over cancellation of teacher grants

    The eight-state lawsuit says the Education Department’s elimination of $600 million in grants will contribute to the teacher shortage and harm students.

    By • March 7, 2025
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    POP QUIZ

    Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

    From a lawsuit against the Education Department to an analysis of the types of books being banned, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • March 7, 2025
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    FatCamera via Getty Images
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    OCR opens probe of D.C.’s special education services

    The investigation will look into how the city is meeting the needs of students with disabilities, according to a Wednesday announcement.

    By • March 6, 2025
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    Alex Wong via Getty Images
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    ‘Stay of execution’: Where’s Trump’s order to shut down Education Department?

    While an executive order didn't come down as expected Thursday, the education community is bracing for more cuts to key department resources.

    By • March 6, 2025
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    Stephanie Keith via Getty Images
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    State proposals threaten free public education for students lacking immigration status

    A bill in New Jersey takes direct aim at a 1982 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that says states can't deny school access based on a student’s immigration status.

    By • March 6, 2025
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    izusek via Getty Images
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    LGBTQ+ youth face higher rates of mental health challenges in South, Midwest

    A regional breakdown shows LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to struggle with mental health care access, discrimination and other challenges in these areas.

    By • March 5, 2025
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    NEA, ACLU challenge Education Department’s DEI letter

    Despite the department's attempt to clarify the original directive, education and civil rights organizations are pushing forward with their lawsuits.

    By • March 5, 2025