Policy & Legal: Page 2

  • A syringe is being inserted into the leg of a child. A gloved hand holds a Baid-Aid. Another pair of hands seems to hold the arms of the child.
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    Florida seeks to eliminate vaccine mandates, including for children

    State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo says the state health department can abolish some vaccine requirements while others need lawmakers’ approval.

    By • Sept. 3, 2025
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    Wasan Tita via Getty Images
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    School district insolvency on the rise

    The current financial climate — in which districts can expect increased state involvement — was predictable and preventable, experts say.

    By • Sept. 3, 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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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Immigration enforcement causing trauma and school avoidance, educators and advocates say

    In response, schools and districts are offering legal aid, resources and school transportation options to alleviate school attendance fears.

    By • Sept. 3, 2025
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    House GOP eyes 27% cut to Title I

    The FY 26 proposal would eliminate funding for teacher training, full-service community schools and English Language Acquisition programs.

    By • Sept. 2, 2025
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    diane39 via Getty Images
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    Week In Review: Challenges abound as a new school year begins

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from chronic absenteeism progress to severe weather’s impact on schools.

    By • Sept. 2, 2025
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    Roberto N via Getty Images
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    Report: Teacher program cuts to have ‘lasting negative effects’ on schools

    Recommendations in a new UCLA brief include seeking alternative funding and supporting teachers pursuing certification.

    By • Sept. 2, 2025
  • A person enters the front entrance of a building that says "Kathleen C. Wright Administration Center" above the door.
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    Jillian Cain via Getty Images
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    Broward County Public Schools faces enrollment drops, possible closures

    The nation’s sixth largest district is considering how to “address” 34 schools for potential closures or consolidations while facing enrollment declines.

    By • Aug. 29, 2025
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    Illustration: Cathryn Virginia for Industry Dive

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    STAFFED UP

    What do enrollment declines mean for teacher shortages?

    During COVID-19, districts hired more teachers despite ongoing enrollment declines. That led to a reversal in broad teacher shortages, researchers say.

    By • Aug. 29, 2025
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    Stock Photo via Getty Images
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    These 4 trends are shaping the 2025-26 school year

    From enrollment to AI, education leaders face a variety of obstacles and opportunities as students return to classrooms.

    By , , , • Aug. 28, 2025
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    Stock Photo via Getty Images
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    Charter school expansion slows amid closures, low enrollment, report says

    A recent report alleges stagnating enrollment, underperformance and waste are among challenges the sector faces.

    By Briana Mendez-Padilla • Aug. 27, 2025
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    States, districts seek to end federal funding freeze lawsuits

    The Education Department promises to release a second tranche of federal grant funding in early October, court records show.

    By • Aug. 27, 2025
  • A parent and a child browse school supplies in a store aisle. The child is looking at a box of pens with the parent looking over their shoulder.
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    Alex Potemkin via Getty Images
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    How can districts help families navigate rising school supply costs?

    As Trump’s tariff policies ramp up and families face sticker shock over back-to-school shopping, some K-12 leaders are leaning on creative ways to assist.

    By • Aug. 26, 2025
  • A workplace poster published by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is displayed featuring the EEOC logo.
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    Kate Tornone/K-12 Dive
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    EEOC seeks to enforce subpoenas against school district that sued agency over bias probe

    The news comes weeks after New Mexico’s Gallup-McKinley County Schools sued the commission, alleging its investigation exceeded EEOC’s authority.

    By Ryan Golden • Aug. 26, 2025
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    Mike Stewart/AP

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    6 ways administrators are handling cellphone bans in the new school year

    School and district leaders say stakeholder input, consistent enforcement of rules and lessons in digital usage have helped their policies succeed.

    By • Aug. 25, 2025
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    John M. Chase via Getty Images
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    Week In Review: OCR staffers to return amid changing Title IX enforcement

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from music education’s impact on literacy to the latest Education Department changes.

    By • Aug. 25, 2025
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    Silvia Moraleja via Getty Images
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    Should schools be the centerpiece of heat resilience action?

    Advocates say local governments must set a model for climate-smart leadership with enforceable standards and resources to protect children.

    By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Aug. 25, 2025
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    Jon Cherry via Getty Images
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    American Lung Association urges school radon testing

    HVAC systems must be functioning properly, with clean filters, for the tests to accurately identify levels of the radioactive gas, the organization says.

    By Joe Burns • Aug. 22, 2025
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    bymuratdeniz via Getty Images
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    Proposal would remove federal data collection for special education racial disparities

    Even if the federal collection was eliminated, states would still need to collect and interpret data for significant disproportionality, experts say.

    By • Updated Aug. 22, 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 the rescission of long-standing federal guidance to public opinion on the Education Department’s closure, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • Aug. 22, 2025
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    Education Department plans return of laid-off OCR staffers

    More than 260 civil rights staff cut as part of a March reduction in force will return in waves through November, according to court documents.

    By • Aug. 21, 2025
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    New York City workplace shooting exposes building security weaknesses

    The mass shooting in July underscores how access controls fail, but facility managers can get better security out of the technology, specialists say.

    By Joe Burns • Aug. 21, 2025
  • People are standing outside the U.S. Supreme Court building holding multicolored umbrellas and signs.
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    5 Northern Virginia districts put on high-risk status for Title IX violations

    The U.S. Department of Education said the districts must now process a collective $50 million through reimbursements.

    By • Aug. 20, 2025
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    undrey via Getty Images
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    Education Department rescinds EL equal access guidance

    The guidance helped districts and states serve English learners, but isn’t aligned with Trump administration priorities, a department spokesperson said.

    By • Aug. 20, 2025
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    xijian via Getty Images
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    Where do states stand on college and career readiness metrics?

    While most states have adopted at least one indicator in their accountability systems, there’s no uniform approach, an All4Ed report found.

    By Briana Mendez-Padilla • Aug. 20, 2025
  • Individuals stand outside the U.S. Supreme Court. A sign reads "Trans People Belong."
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    Brian Tucker/K-12 Dive
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    Education Department uses Skrmetti case to bolster Title IX policy

    Though the Supreme Court decision doesn’t directly involve education civil rights law, it’s being cited to exclude trans students from athletics and facilities.

    By • Aug. 19, 2025