Policy & Legal: Page 3

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    Anna Merod/K-12 Dive
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    UNITED ‘25: Principals explore solutions to pressing K-12 challenges

    School principals gathered in Seattle in July to address a wide range of issues including chronic absenteeism and school safety.

    By • Aug. 8, 2025
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    Stock via Getty Images
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    Florida district won’t rehire teacher in LGBTQ+ controversy over student’s preferred name

    The veteran teacher, whose license was in jeopardy, settled with the state for a $750 fine and a year of probation, among other consequences.

    By • Aug. 7, 2025
  • High school students are dropped off for school and begin walking into the building. Explore the Trendline➔
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    Stock Photo via Getty Images
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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
  • A school building's door is closed. Through the door's windows a hallway with lockers appears in the background.
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    VisualArtStudio via Getty Images
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    Bellwether warns of school closures, consolidations ahead

    The nonprofit's analysis suggests enrollment declines may have cost the nation's 100 largest districts $5.2 billion.

    By • Aug. 7, 2025
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    Thai Noipho via Getty Images
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    Arkansas Ten Commandments law blocked in some schools by district court

    The preliminary injunction halting a mandate to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom said the requirement is “plainly unconstitutional.”

    By • Aug. 6, 2025
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    monkeybusinessimages via Getty Images
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    The post-COVID private school enrollment boom is slowing

    Some 40% of private schools report increased enrollment between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, a Cato Institute survey found.

    By • Aug. 5, 2025
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    SeventyFour via Getty Images
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    Illinois 1st state to require universal mental health screenings at schools

    Under SB 1560, Illinois school districts will receive free resources to implement the new initiative for students in grades 3-12.

    By • Aug. 4, 2025
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    Just_Super via Getty Images
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    Week In Review: AI, federal funding and ESEA waivers

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from guidance on “unlawful” DEI to how district leaders are navigating school closures.

    By • Aug. 4, 2025
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Did SCOTUS make it easier to sue schools for disability discrimination?

    Special education legal experts say they don't expect a significant uptick in lawsuits in the long term from the Supreme Court’s A.J.T. v. Osseo ruling.

    By • Aug. 4, 2025
  • Front view of a teacher and a handful of students sitting on a brick wall outside a school building. They are all holding books.
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    Wavebreakmedia via Getty Images
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    These 6 guidelines can improve equity in literacy, report says

    Empowering educators and partnering with parents are just two recommendations from EdTrust for expanding equitable reading opportunities.

    By • Aug. 1, 2025
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    Alex Wong via Getty Images
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    Justice Department targets ‘unlawful’ DEI in hiring, training

    Districts could face legal liability for targeted recruitment or training on issues like "toxic masculinity," the DOJ guidance says.

    By • Aug. 1, 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 Trump administration’s release of frozen K-12 funds to the Education Department’s AI priorities, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • Aug. 1, 2025
  • People are sitting at table and in rows of chairs in a large conference rooms
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    Screenshot: U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee

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    Senate committee rejects K-12 grant consolidations in FY 26 bill

    The bill, which now advances to the House and full Senate, recommends funding the Education Department at $79 billion.

    By • Updated Aug. 1, 2025
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    Illustration: Cathryn Virginia for Industry Dive

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    STAFFED UP

    What can be learned from Texas’ surge in uncertified teachers?

    The state is set to phase out uncertified teachers by 2029-30 after having one of the highest rates of underqualified educators in the nation.

    By • July 31, 2025
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    The image by Another Believer is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    Education Department tells states to seek waivers from ESEA

    Some states have already requested flexibility through block grants, giving a glimpse into what more state autonomy might entail.

    By • July 30, 2025
  • A person stands next to someone while pointing to one of the many black-and-white photos displayed on a wall.
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    Permission granted by Ben Coy/Horry County Schools Communications Department
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    Closing a school is never easy. Here’s how to communicate it with care.

    In one South Carolina district, replacing a building came with the added challenge of preserving a segregation-era school’s history.

    By • July 30, 2025
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    FangXiaNuo via Getty Images
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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
  • A clear glass jar sits on a pile of books. Inside the jar are bills and coins. A label on the jar says "Education"
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    pong-photo9 via Getty Images
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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
  • Immigration enforcement agents, including those from ICE, line the hallways outside immigration court in New York City
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    Spencer Platt/Getty Images via Getty Images
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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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    Simon Carter Peter Crowther via Getty Images
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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
  • A student is sitting at a desk in a classroom holding a cellphone.
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    monkeybusinessimages via Getty Images
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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
  • President Donald Trump sits at a desk and holds up a pen. Students are siting at desks behind the adult
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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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
  • A toddler is sitting on a carpet on the floor in a room playing with blocks and smiling. Other little kids are seen in the background.
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    FatCamera via Getty Images
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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
  • A young student raises their hand in a classroom while sitting at a desk and using a laptop.
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    DragonImages via Getty Images
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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
  • A photo illustration of a circle encompassing a question mark, pencil, and scantron test.
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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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    aluxum via Getty Images
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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