Texas Education Agency sued over probes into teachers’ Charlie Kirk posts

Commissioner Mike Morath urged superintendents in September to report teachers who were critical of Kirk on social media, Texas AFT said.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 6, 2026

CDC, following Trump’s orders, weakens US stance on childhood vaccinations

In a drastic decision made outside of its typical review process, the agency declared it would recommend 11 childhood shots going forward, down from 17.

By Delilah Alvarado • Jan. 6, 2026

Trump can order employers to pay extra H-1B fee, court holds

President Donald Trump can impose the $100,000 fine under the Immigration and Nationality Act’s “exceedingly broad language,” a judge ruled.

By Laurel Kalser • Jan. 6, 2026

Can schools handle federal calls for fewer ultra-processed foods?

Some 95% of school nutrition directors are concerned about the financial sustainability of their meal programs, School Nutrition Association data shows.

By Anna Merod • Jan. 6, 2026

Lawsuits challenge $60M cancellation of community schools grants

The complaints from the American Federation of Teachers and three state attorneys general cite the funds’ impact on rural and low-income communities.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 5, 2026

Tracking the Supreme Court’s impact on K-12 schools

We’ve gathered cases since the high court’s 2019-20 term to measure the justices’ footprint in schools.

By Naaz Modan • Updated Jan. 14, 2026

Private school choice threatens public school experiences, says EdTrust CEO

Public funding for students and schools must be protected to preserve equitable learning opportunities, Denise Forte writes.

By Denise Forte • Jan. 5, 2026

Final Exam: Test yourself on the past year’s K-12 news

From the downsizing of the U.S. Department of Education to a data breach that impacted over 60 million students, what did you learn from our stories in 2025?

By Anna Merod • Dec. 23, 2025

NAEP innovations on track despite NCES layoffs

The Education Department said it "continues to pursue cutting-edge innovations" and that NAEP will be administered primarily on school devices next year.

By Naaz Modan • Dec. 22, 2025

Cancellation of mental health grants ruled unlawful

A federal judge required the Education Department to reinstate the grants in 16 states and barred the agency from issuing new priorities for the programs. 

By Kara Arundel • Dec. 22, 2025

Week In Review: K-12 Dive Awards and AI’s march in curriculum

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from a report on teens’ pronoun usage to milk in school lunches.

By Roger Riddell • Dec. 22, 2025

What changed — or not — for K-12 staffing in 2025?

Between enrollment and budget challenges and the Trump administration targeting anti-DEI staffing policies, districts navigated rocky terrain this year.

By Anna Merod • Dec. 22, 2025

Oklahoma Supreme Court strikes down controversial social studies standards

The standards were already on pause, but the court ruled this week that the state board of education violated the law in creating and adopting them. 

By Naaz Modan • Dec. 19, 2025

Test yourself on the past week’s K-12 news

From a federal lawsuit against teacher diversity efforts to school closures and mergers in Cleveland, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Anna Merod • Dec. 19, 2025

Fewer than half of transgender, nonbinary youth report others use their pronouns

Data released by The Trevor Project shows a lower suicide risk for students whose pronouns were used. In some states, policies make it a challenge.

By Naaz Modan • Dec. 18, 2025

Trump celebrates returning education to the states in national address

While 2025 has come with major changes to the K-12 landscape, the president remained silent on what’s in store for 2026.

By Naaz Modan • Dec. 18, 2025

Republicans say sports could stem school, gun violence as Democrats push back

In a hearing on Tuesday, lawmakers disagreed over whether sports was an effective school safety measure in the wake of recent school shootings.

By Naaz Modan • Dec. 17, 2025

Trump signs bipartisan Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act into law

Previously, districts could only serve fat-free and low-fat milk in school meals due to concerns surrounding high cholesterol and obesity in young people.

By Anna Merod • Updated Jan. 15, 2026

State AGs launch third lawsuit seeking to block Trump’s H-1B order

The plaintiffs alleged public schools, university-level research institutions and healthcare systems could be harmed by a $100,000 fee on all new visas.

By Ryan Golden • Dec. 17, 2025

Feds announce early opt-in process for new federal school choice program

The U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service said more details on the process, which doesn’t yet have a deadline, are on the way.

By Kara Arundel • Dec. 16, 2025

Principal of the Year: Pierre Orbe, DeWitt Clinton High School

One educator’s unplanned detour from medical school into education led to a turnaround for one of New York City’s most storied high schools.

By Roger Riddell • Dec. 16, 2025

The K-12 Dive Awards for 2025

Whether they’re driving postsecondary pathways, district marketing strategies or school turnarounds, these leaders are raising the bar for K-12.

By Roger Riddell , Kara Arundel • Dec. 16, 2025

Superintendent of the Year: Matt Degner, Iowa City Community School District

This district leader focuses on making academic programs unique as he strives to set his school system apart at a time of growing competition for students.

By Roger Riddell • Dec. 16, 2025

Bill in Congress aims to ban seclusion, limit restraint in schools

In addition to improving student safety, the reintroduction of the Keeping All Students Safe Act would increase transparency and oversight.

By Kara Arundel • Dec. 16, 2025

Cleveland Metropolitan School District to close or merge 29 schools by 2026-27

The district’s board approved the change in the face of declining enrollment — to the tune of about 50% fewer students over the past two decades.

By Anna Merod • Dec. 15, 2025