Policy & Legal: Page 2

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    Illustration: Cathryn Virginia for Industry Dive

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    STAFFED UP

    Maryland sees return on investment in grow-your-own programs

    High school participants in the Teacher Academy of Maryland were 45% more likely to become teachers within 10 years, researchers found.

    By • March 25, 2026
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    21 states sue USDA over funding conditions they say would threaten school meal programs

    The lawsuit pushes back on new grant conditions that bar funds being used for programs that support “gender ideology” or “illegal immigration.”

    By • March 24, 2026
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    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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    Aaron Schwartz/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Judge scraps another school admissions policies lawsuit

    In the wake of SFFA v. Harvard, several challenges have claimed socioeconomic or experience factors are a proxy for race-based admissions.

    By • March 24, 2026
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    White House urges Congress to protect children on AI platforms

    The Trump administration released a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence as lawmakers consider bills to improve online safety for youth.

    By • March 24, 2026
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    FatCamera via Getty Images
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    NWEA: Kindergarten redshirting brings short-term academic gains only

    The gains fall away by 3rd grade, and a delay in starting school can cost families an extra year of childcare, the firm's analysis says.

    By • March 24, 2026
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    The image by Michael Rivera is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    Court doesn’t buy school district’s defense for not complying with race bias settlement

    Georgia’s Echols County School district argued “qualified immunity” meant it couldn’t be sued for refusing to implement changes.

    By Ryan Golden • March 23, 2026
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Education Department moves to shift student loan, FAFSA duties to Treasury

    The U.S. Department of Treasury plans to take “operational responsibility” for defaulted loans before eventually managing the entire $1.7 trillion portfolio. 

    By Natalie Schwartz • March 23, 2026
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    Week In Review: Outcomes-based ed tech contracts and K-12 policies in court

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from governors prioritizing special education to federal support for the science of reading.

    By • March 23, 2026
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    States say Education Department not following mental health grant orders

    The department is only providing grant recipients with six months of funding rather than a full year, the plaintiff states said in recent court documents.

    By • March 20, 2026
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    Heather Diehl/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Republican reps eye SCOTUS ruling on undocumented children in schools

    Plyler v. Doe, which critics say burdens school resources, guarantees undocumented immigrants a free public education under the 14th Amendment.

    By • March 20, 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 ed tech negotiation strategies to Texas’ school choice lawsuits, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • March 20, 2026
  • A student holds their phone while using a generative artificial intelligence app as they complete their homework.
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    More middle and high schoolers are leaning on AI for homework

    At the same time, students fear that using the technology to help with assignments will hinder their critical thinking skills, a Rand Corp. survey found.

    By • March 20, 2026
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    Retrieved from U.S. Department of Education/Flickr on March 19, 2026
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    OCR: District of Columbia discriminated against students with disabilities

    DCPS says it is committed to ensuring students with disabilities receive services guaranteed to them under federal law.

    By • March 19, 2026
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    Scott Olson/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Judge orders Texas to open school choice program to Islamic schools

    The ruling also extends the application window for families by two weeks, in a case brought by Muslim families who alleged discrimination.

    By • March 18, 2026
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Science of reading gets nod from House panel in literacy grants bill

    While lawmakers were united on advancing legislation supportive of phonics, another bill that would prohibit "sexually oriented materials" drew debate.

    By • March 18, 2026
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    Tomwang112 via Getty Images
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    Poverty, school size can hinder improvement odds, GAO reports

    The number of students at comprehensive support and improvement schools grew between 2019-20 and 2022-23, an analysis found.

    By • March 18, 2026
  • A display showing the Ten Commandments is seen outside in front of the U.S. Supreme Court building
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    Arkansas Ten Commandments law blocked for 6 school districts

    A district court judge ruled that the only reason to require the religious tenets to be posted in every classroom is “to proselytize to children.”

    By • March 17, 2026
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    Federal court blocks RFK Jr.’s moves to upend US vaccine policy

    The U.S. Health and Human Services Department  ignored established protocols in altering the childhood immunization schedule, the ruling held.

    By Delilah Alvarado • March 17, 2026
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    4nadia via Getty Images
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    Governors promote special education initiatives in annual addresses

    Amid funding challenges, some state leaders draw attention to budgets and programs that support students with disabilities.

    By • March 17, 2026
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    Retrieved from Oklahoma State Supreme Court.
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    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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    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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    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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    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
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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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    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