Policy & Legal: Page 24

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    Illustration: Cathryn Virginia for Industry Dive

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    STAFFED UP

    Majority of states see decrease in student-teacher ratios post-COVID

    Just eight states had more students per teacher post-pandemic, per a K-12 Dive analysis of NCES data. What does that say about teacher shortages?

    By • Nov. 4, 2024
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    USDA to eliminate school meal ‘junk fees’ for low-income families

    Schools will not be allowed to charge online processing fees to students eligible for free and reduced-price meals starting in the 2027-28 school year.

    By • Nov. 1, 2024
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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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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    POP QUIZ

    Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

    From highly anticipated U.S. Education Department guidance to an increase in K-12 ransomware attacks, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • Nov. 1, 2024
  • Alejandro Mayorkas, Miguel Cardona and Jill Biden stand in the center of the East Room of the White House between two screens that read “Back to School Safely: Cybersecurity for K-12 Schools.”
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    Dufour, Tia. (2023). Retrieved from Flickr.
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    EDUCATION EXTORTION

    K-12 cyber incident reporting is coming. Here’s what we know.

    Questions — like what CISA will do with districts' information — remain for K-12 cybersecurity experts as the federal agency finalizes reporting requirements.

    By , • Oct. 31, 2024
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    Most applicants consider E-rate vital, but want cybersecurity supports, too

    New survey findings come amid uncertainty for the popular program after a court struck down a funding mechanism for the Universal Service Fund.

    By • Oct. 30, 2024
  • Tony Dotts works at his desk with two computer monitors. The screen on the left reads “Cybersecurity Awareness Month.”
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    Permission granted by Tony Dotts
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    EDUCATION EXTORTION

    How to navigate the rising cost of cyber insurance for schools

    As districts face increased premiums for covering ransomware threats, cybersecurity experts suggest leaders read the fine print of insurance policies.

    By , • Oct. 30, 2024
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    What’s on state ballots for education in the 2024 elections

    In addition to voting for president next week, voters in some areas will decide on issues such as school choice and education finance.

    By • Oct. 29, 2024
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    Photo illustration: Industry Dive; Joe Readle/Getty Images; Brandon Bell/Getty Images

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    Election 2024: Where Harris, Trump stand on AI regulation

    Analysts expect Kamala Harris to largely continue the current approach to AI oversight, while Donald Trump’s promise to repeal a Biden executive order signals a major shift.

    By Lindsey Wilkinson • Oct. 29, 2024
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    Cedar Attanasio/AP

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    EDUCATION EXTORTION

    What Albuquerque Public Schools learned from a cyberattack

    The New Mexico school district shored up defenses after a "devastating" 2022 experience and is working with partners to prevent another crisis.

    By , • Oct. 29, 2024
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    George Frey via Getty Images
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    Was districts’ ESSER spending effective? Federal watchdog says maybe.

    A GAO report says districts prioritized spending of COVID-19 emergency funds based on community input, financial need, state policies and other influences.

    By • Oct. 28, 2024
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    Photo illustration: Industry Dive; K12 Six

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    EDUCATION EXTORTION

    School ransomware attacks are on the rise. What can districts do?

    Cyberattacks inflict logistical, legal and financial damage on schools — and take an emotional and physical toll on their communities.

    By , • Oct. 28, 2024
  • The Education Department's seal can be seen on a podium.
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    The image by U.S. Department of Education is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Education Department releases highly anticipated AI toolkit for schools

    The federal guidance, prompted by a Biden administration executive order, includes district strategies for mitigating risks and developing AI use policies. 

    By • Oct. 25, 2024
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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 the cost of school culture wars to a lawsuit challenging a district’s enforcement of AI, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • Oct. 25, 2024
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    Tips to promote ‘zero waste’ on school campuses

    Environmental experts offer strategies for replacing disposables with “reusables” in school cafeterias.

    By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 25, 2024
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    Lawsuit targets Illinois minority teacher scholarship program

    The case marks a new step in the debate over race-conscious policies, with plaintiffs claiming the program discriminates against nonminority teacher candidates.

    By • Oct. 24, 2024
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    What can be learned from early adopters of AI?

    About a third of 40 school districts who were first to use artificial intelligence lack formal policies on the tool, a CRPE analysis found.

    By • Oct. 24, 2024
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    Opinion

    School censorship laws undermine Black and brown students and educators

    Education that ignores students’ history and culture cannot inspire and nurture them, a Memphis educator writes.

    By Melissa Collins • Oct. 23, 2024
  • A 1st grade student receives a Covid-19 vaccine at in Chicago, Illinois.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    CDC: Routine vaccinations decline while exemption rates increase

    Fewer kindergartners are vaccinated than pre-pandemic, "setting the stage for accumulation of clusters of undervaccinated children, which can lead to outbreaks.”

    By • Oct. 23, 2024
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    Undergraduate enrollment rises 3% despite drop in first-year students, early data shows

    Headcounts declined among students attending college directly after high school, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center found.

    By Laura Spitalniak • Oct. 23, 2024
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    Florida district agrees to improve student restraint policies

    An OCR investigation found concerns about St. Johns County School District's "very high" rate of restraint for students with disabilities.

    By • Oct. 22, 2024
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    USDA flags over 200 schools affected by meat recall amid listeria concerns

    BrucePac, a producer of pre-cooked meat and poultry, has recalled hundreds of ready-to-eat food items available in schools, grocery stores and restaurants.

    By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 21, 2024
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    Lawsuit asks Oklahoma Supreme Court to overturn classroom Bible mandate

    The case follows another heard by the court earlier this year over the state's funding of a religious charter school. 

    By • Oct. 21, 2024
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    Teachers: Kindergarten readiness tests are time-consuming, cut into instruction

    The assessment data, however, is used to assign learning groups and track student progress, teachers told the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

    By • Oct. 18, 2024
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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 cellphone bans to school staffing, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • Oct. 18, 2024
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    Opinion

    Optimizing charter opportunities for students with disabilities requires focused engagement

    Charters can harness their flexibility to overhaul models that hold back students with disabilities, writes the Center for Learning Equity’s executive director.

    By Lauren Morando Rhim • Oct. 17, 2024