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

From a racial discrimination complaint over school closures to post-COVID rebounds for chronic absenteeism, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Anna Merod • July 17, 2026

House panel OKs permanent moves for some Education Department functions

Republicans say the K-12 and higher education changes would spur efficiencies. Democrats say the proposals undermine public education.

By Kara Arundel • July 16, 2026

Explore the 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

Washington governor eyes FAFSA requirement for high school students

Since taking office last year, Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson has prioritized increasing the state’s completion rate of the federal student aid form.

By Laura Spitalniak • July 16, 2026

Ed tech pushback risks shortchanging students, these school leaders say

K-12 administrators share how they’re navigating responsible technology use in schools when communities want less of it.

By Anna Merod • July 15, 2026

Pittsburgh school closures discriminate against Black students, complaint alleges

Research suggests school closures disproportionately impact majority-Black schools. Community engagement and stakeholder trust are key, experts say.

By Naaz Modan • July 15, 2026

Former federal officials oppose special education interagency agreement

Pushback grows as House lawmakers consider permanently moving some other Education Department functions to outside agencies.

By Kara Arundel • July 14, 2026

Maine’s road to rapid AI adoption in schools

From panicked emails to a six-step process for integrating artificial intelligence into schools, two Maine education leaders reflect on the state's journey.

By Kara Arundel • July 14, 2026

Mental health grant cancellations at issue in new lawsuit from 15 states

The attorneys general say the department plans to terminate the grants despite a prior injunction protecting them.

By Naaz Modan • July 14, 2026

Week In Review: Chronic absenteeism continues to vex school systems

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from students with disabilities in general classrooms to state AI laws.

By Roger Riddell • July 13, 2026

10 bills introduced to codify outsourcing of federal education programs

Supporters say the Republican-led proposals would help “right-size” the Education Department, while opponents predict inefficiencies.

By Anna Merod • July 10, 2026

Settlement reached in race-conscious admissions case at magnet school

The agreement between the U.S. Justice Department and a New Jersey school is a major K-12 development following on the Supreme Court's college ruling.

By Naaz Modan • July 10, 2026

Education Department takes steps to halt schools from ‘passing the trash’

New guidance builds on uneven efforts across several administrations to prevent alleged sexual predators from jumping from one school to another.

By Naaz Modan • July 10, 2026

For chronic absenteeism, pandemic recovery is possible but still uncommon

Just 13% of districts studied by a Johns Hopkins center were able to rebound to pre-pandemic levels by the 2024-25 school year.

By Anna Merod • July 10, 2026

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

From young students’ reading progress to new state laws mandating district policies, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Anna Merod • July 10, 2026

Governors call on states to support locally driven K-12 solutions

Collaborations between states and districts can help improve student outcomes, the governors of Maryland and Wyoming say.

By Kara Arundel • July 9, 2026

Education Department targets Equity Assistance Centers again

A proposed rule would rescind regulations for the program, which the agency says would allow it to “explore other means” of delivering those services.

By Naaz Modan • July 9, 2026

4 more states require districts to adopt AI policies

At least one state has gone as far as to prohibit artificial intelligence’s use for grading, discipline or other high-stakes decisions.

By Anna Merod • July 9, 2026

Here’s what you need to know about key topics shaping K-12

We’ve gathered past installments of our explainer series in one place to help you stay on top of the must-know information on key topics.

By Roger Riddell • July 8, 2026

Access to free school meals under threat, think tank warns

The Center for American Progress warns that legislative cuts to safety net programs could prevent Community Eligibility Provision participation.

By Anna Merod • July 8, 2026

Another K-12 admissions policy lawsuit appealed to the Supreme Court

If accepted, a ruling could impact other cases challenging diversity efforts in major urban school systems, such as those in New York, Boston and Philadelphia.

By Naaz Modan • July 8, 2026

Education Department eyes changes for measuring racial disparities in special education

The agency plans to amend the Equity in IDEA rule, worrying some advocates concerned about racial inequities in special education.

By Kara Arundel • July 7, 2026

Supreme Court’s transgender athletics decision: What districts need to know

Whether Title IX permits transgender students to play on sports teams aligning with their gender identity is among the gray areas that may be settled by future cases.

By Naaz Modan • July 6, 2026

More students with disabilities learning in general education classrooms

A GAO report finds 42 states and the District of Columbia increased the share of students with disabilities in general education classes.

By Kara Arundel • July 6, 2026

Week In Review: A landmark Supreme Court ruling and a major testing company acquisition

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from “misconceptions” at the Education Department to Texas’ curriculum change.

By Roger Riddell • July 6, 2026

Inside the Education Department’s interagency agreements

The most recent moves outsource various special education and civil rights activities to the departments of Health and Human Services and Justice.

By Roger Riddell • July 6, 2026