Final Exam: Test yourself on the past year’s K-12 news

From the downsizing of the U.S. Department of Education to a data breach that impacted over 60 million students, what did you learn from our stories in 2025?

By Anna Merod • Dec. 23, 2025

NAEP innovations on track despite NCES layoffs

The Education Department said it "continues to pursue cutting-edge innovations" and that NAEP will be administered primarily on school devices next year.

By Naaz Modan • Dec. 22, 2025

Explore the 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

Cancellation of mental health grants ruled unlawful

A federal judge required the Education Department to reinstate the grants in 16 states and barred the agency from issuing new priorities for the programs. 

By Kara Arundel • Dec. 22, 2025

Week In Review: K-12 Dive Awards and AI’s march in curriculum

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from a report on teens’ pronoun usage to milk in school lunches.

By Roger Riddell • Dec. 22, 2025

What changed — or not — for K-12 staffing in 2025?

Between enrollment and budget challenges and the Trump administration targeting anti-DEI staffing policies, districts navigated rocky terrain this year.

By Anna Merod • Dec. 22, 2025

Oklahoma Supreme Court strikes down controversial social studies standards

The standards were already on pause, but the court ruled this week that the state board of education violated the law in creating and adopting them. 

By Naaz Modan • Dec. 19, 2025

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

From a federal lawsuit against teacher diversity efforts to school closures and mergers in Cleveland, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Anna Merod • Dec. 19, 2025

Fewer than half of transgender, nonbinary youth report others use their pronouns

Data released by The Trevor Project shows a lower suicide risk for students whose pronouns were used. In some states, policies make it a challenge.

By Naaz Modan • Dec. 18, 2025

Trump celebrates returning education to the states in national address

While 2025 has come with major changes to the K-12 landscape, the president remained silent on what’s in store for 2026.

By Naaz Modan • Dec. 18, 2025

Republicans say sports could stem school, gun violence as Democrats push back

In a hearing on Tuesday, lawmakers disagreed over whether sports was an effective school safety measure in the wake of recent school shootings.

By Naaz Modan • Dec. 17, 2025

Congress passes bill allowing schools to offer whole milk, nondairy options

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 was sent to President Donald Trump’s desk after the House approved the bipartisan legislation Monday.

By Anna Merod • Dec. 17, 2025

State AGs launch third lawsuit seeking to block Trump’s H-1B order

The plaintiffs alleged public schools, university-level research institutions and healthcare systems could be harmed by a $100,000 fee on all new visas.

By Ryan Golden • Dec. 17, 2025

Feds announce early opt-in process for new federal school choice program

The U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service said more details on the process, which doesn’t yet have a deadline, are on the way.

By Kara Arundel • Dec. 16, 2025

Bill in Congress aims to ban seclusion, limit restraint in schools

In addition to improving student safety, the reintroduction of the Keeping All Students Safe Act would increase transparency and oversight.

By Kara Arundel • Dec. 16, 2025

Superintendent of the Year: Matt Degner, Iowa City Community School District

This district leader focuses on making academic programs unique as he strives to set his school system apart at a time of growing competition for students.

By Roger Riddell • Dec. 16, 2025

The K-12 Dive Awards for 2025

Whether they’re driving postsecondary pathways, district marketing strategies or school turnarounds, these leaders are raising the bar for K-12.

By Roger Riddell , Kara Arundel • Dec. 16, 2025

Principal of the Year: Pierre Orbe, DeWitt Clinton High School

One educator’s unplanned detour from medical school into education led to a turnaround for one of New York City’s most storied high schools.

By Roger Riddell • Dec. 16, 2025

Cleveland Metropolitan School District to close or merge 29 schools by 2026-27

The district’s board approved the change in the face of declining enrollment — to the tune of about 50% fewer students over the past two decades.

By Anna Merod • Dec. 15, 2025

Week in Review: Book ban litigation and students’ online privacy protections

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from OCR employees’ return-to-work to the impact of summer school participation.

By Kara Arundel • Dec. 15, 2025

DOJ targets teacher diversity efforts in lawsuit against Minnesota schools

The lawsuit challenges the district’s agreement with its teachers union, which includes diversity efforts such as recruiting and retaining Black men.

By Naaz Modan • Dec. 15, 2025

After-school meal participation still below pre-COVID levels, FRAC finds

Data shows 1.26 million students were served after-school supper on an average school day in October 2024.

By Anna Merod • Dec. 12, 2025

Trump calls for federal policy framework preempting state AI laws

The move comes as Big Tech pushes back against local AI regulation while pouring billions into building out AI infrastructure and deploying new products.

By Makenzie Holland • Dec. 12, 2025

House subcommittee advances 18 bills to protect minors online

Two of the key proposals, KOSA and COPPA 2.0, will move forward to the House Energy and Commerce Committee for a vote.

By Anna Merod • Dec. 12, 2025

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

From data on summer school impacts to the Supreme Court denying an education-related case, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Kara Arundel • Dec. 12, 2025

School reopenings after pandemic linked to decreased mental health challenges

District leaders should weigh infection risk and the need for socialization and other school resources in closure decisions during future crises, a study says.

By Naaz Modan • Dec. 12, 2025