Policy & Legal: Page

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    HHS: Fewer adolescents report depression, suicidal thoughts

    The percentage of adolescents who had a major depressive episode dropped from 20.8% in 2021 to 15.4% in 2024, an annual survey finds.

    By • July 30, 2025
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    Deep Dive

    What will ‘big, beautiful’ school choice mean for public schools?

    A new federal private school choice program is adding to existing pressure from state-led programs amid shrinking enrollment and funding.

    By • July 29, 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 as a one-stop resource on the trends to watch in the months ahead.

    By K-12 Dive staff
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    Another lawsuit challenges ICE policy allowing raids at schools

    A January policy change by the Trump administration loosened restrictions on immigration enforcement in sensitive locations.

    By • July 28, 2025
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    More Americans support school cellphone bans

    The uptick comes as research increasingly points to harmful effects for children and as laws proliferate restricting cellphone use in classrooms.

    By • July 28, 2025
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    Week In Review: Funding freezes, enrollment concerns and cyberthreats

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from lawsuits against the Trump administration to St. Louis’ proposed school cuts.

    By • July 28, 2025
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    Unfrozen: White House releases remaining $5B for K-12 programs

    The hold on the funds had drawn widespread rebukes from educators, lawmakers, parents and organizations — along with two lawsuits.

    By • July 25, 2025
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    Trump administration pauses Head Start immigration restrictions

    The temporary stop, part of a court-approved agreement, also covers dual enrollment, adult education and CTE programs.

    By • July 25, 2025
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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 potential school closures in St. Louis to ransom demands on schools, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • July 25, 2025
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    Strong budgeting, revenue flexibility key to weathering K-12 financial storm, says Moody’s

    States are trying to offset the impact of reduced federal support, but their success is uncertain, according to a recent Moody’s Ratings report.

    By • July 25, 2025
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    Education Department issues AI priorities. But what if the agency closes?

    As the agency issues advice on using federal grants to advance school AI strategies, districts remain concerned about leadership on cybersecurity.

    By • July 25, 2025
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    Union seeks delay in Education Department RIFs

    AFGE Local 252 seeks to delay employees' Aug. 1 termination date, which they say is too soon under their bargaining agreement.

    By • July 24, 2025
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    Tennessee launches direct admissions pilot with student aid component

    The initiative aims to ease high schoolers’ paths to college by providing financial aid information and automatic acceptance to participating institutions.

    By Natalie Schwartz • July 24, 2025
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    Trump’s withholding of Head Start funds violated the law, watchdog says

    HHS disputes the GAO's conclusion, and a Head Start advocacy group says recent disbursements are comparable to last year.

    By • July 23, 2025
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    What the Supreme Court’s parental opt-out ruling means for schools

    The high court’s decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor left many questions for districts to answer when setting their policies. 

    By • July 23, 2025
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    Judge pauses Mississippi’s DEI ban at public schools and colleges

    Accounts from educators and students fearing discussion of certain topics signal “possible widespread suppression of speech,” the judge wrote. 

    By Natalie Schwartz • July 23, 2025
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    Lawsuit adds pressure on Trump administration to release K-12 funds

    The Office of Management and Budget released after-school grants but is still reviewing the remaining funds to ensure alignment with Trump priorities.

    By • July 22, 2025
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    St. Louis Public Schools to propose closing over half of its 68 schools

    The large-scale closures would be for 2026-27 and are based on declining enrollment and uncertainty about the future for families displaced by a tornado.

    By • July 22, 2025
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    Did COVID have a lasting impact on public school enrollment?

    An enrollment decline in Massachusetts may signal broader post-pandemic trends nationwide, an Education Next study suggests.

    By • July 22, 2025
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    20 states sue over immigration restrictions for Head Start, other programs

    The lawsuit alleges the Trump administration policy change would lead to the "collapse of some of the nation’s most vital public programs."

    By • July 21, 2025
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    Ransomware attacks in education jump 23% year over year

    Education was the fourth-most-targeted sector during the first half of 2025, according to a report from Comparitech.

    By Briana Mendez-Padilla • July 21, 2025
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    Week In Review: Education Department cuts move forward and principals convene in Seattle

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from changes to federal oversight to a set of delayed Energy Department rules.

    By • July 21, 2025
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    Trump administration to release frozen after-school, summer program funds

    The Office of Management and Budget said its review of those grants is complete but gave no timeline for the rest of the withheld funds.

    By • July 18, 2025
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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 a major Supreme Court decision for the Education Department to new school shooting data, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • July 18, 2025
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    Anna Merod/K-12 Dive
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    UNITED '25

    How Portland Public Schools can afford to offer high-impact tutoring

    Oregon has been struggling with student literacy for years. The state’s largest public school district is tapping into a tutoring model to reverse that trend.

    By • July 18, 2025
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    10 GOP senators call on OMB to release frozen K-12 funds

    The senators said they don’t believe the over $6 billion in withheld funds are being used to fund “radical left-wing programs,” as OMB claims.

    By • July 17, 2025