Policy & Legal: Page 3


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    House passes bill to restrict transgender students’ participation in girls’ sports

    The Senate has introduced companion legislation, though the proposal may have a tough time overcoming the chamber’s filibuster rule. 

    By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 14, 2025
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    Alvarog1970 via Getty Images
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    National Student Clearinghouse Research Center reveals error in fall first-year student count

    A methodology error resulted in an undercount of first-year students and an overcount of dual enrollees, the research center’s executive director said. 

    By Laura Spitalniak , Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 14, 2025
  • Explore the Trendline
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    Michael Loccisano via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Equity in Education

    From early learning to high school, the pandemic impacted equity at all levels of K-12, from persistent and widening achievement gaps to uneven access to school meals.

    By K-12 Dive staff
  • Q&A

    ‘We raised the bar’: Cardona shares highs, lows as he exits Education Dept.

    Miguel Cardona, the nation’s 12th education secretary, said he's most proud of the work that focused on instruction and put more resources in schools.

    By Jan. 14, 2025
  • New York Gov. Hochul proposes universal school meals

    The governor will ask lawmakers to approve the measure, which would feed an estimated 2.7 million students, in her annual State of State address.

    By Jan. 13, 2025
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    Richard Stephen via Getty Images
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    What do FAFSA completion rates look like post-pandemic?

    Lower shares of middle-income students in the class of 2023 completed the federal financial aid form than those who graduated before the health crisis. 

    By Lilah Burke • Jan. 13, 2025
  • AI, mass lawsuits
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    imaginima via Getty Images
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    Former principal sues Baltimore County schools over alleged racist AI deepfake

    Eric Eiswert’s lawsuit accuses the Maryland district of negligence in hiring, retention and supervision, as well as defamation, slander and libel.

    By Jan. 10, 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 the Education Department’s withdrawal of a proposed rule to the latest school shooting data trends, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By Jan. 10, 2025
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    JuSun via Getty Images
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    PowerSchool data breach possibly exposed student, staff data

    The cloud-based K-12 software provider confirmed a compromised credential was used to access its PowerSource customer support portal.

    By Jan. 9, 2025
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    Stock Photo via Getty Images
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    Federal judge strikes down Biden administration’s Title IX rule nationwide

    The ruling vacates regulations that had enshrined protections for the first time for LGBTQI+ students and employees.

    By Natalie Schwartz , Updated Jan. 10, 2025
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    Just_Super via Getty Images
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    Education-related ransomware attacks worldwide fell in 2024

    Last year's ransomware attack counts will likely rise as more incidents are confirmed in the coming months, according to Comparitech.

    By Jan. 9, 2025
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    PeopleImages via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    6 trends that will shape K-12 in 2025

    Strained budgets, cybersecurity threats, book bans and artificial intelligence are among the bevy of challenges for school leaders to navigate.

    By , Jan. 9, 2025
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    Congress extends Autism CARES Act for 5 more years

    The federal law will provide nearly $2 billion for research, training and services, including for early detection and interventions.

    By Jan. 8, 2025
  • A student is laying on the floor with their hands over their face. A laptop, books, a phone and notebooks are on the floor surrounding the person.
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    PeopleImages via Getty Images
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    Mental health crisis demands greater coordination between schools, pediatricians

    Increased access to youth behavioral health and substance abuse services is needed, says a report from the Bipartisan Policy Center.

    By Jan. 8, 2025
  • A close up view of a sculpture reads "the Ten Commandments. I am the LORD thy God."
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    Michael Smith via Getty Images
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    ACLU warns Louisiana superintendents not to post Ten Commandments in classrooms

    Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill had advised district leaders not impacted by a lawsuit to display the commandments per a new state law.

    By Jan. 7, 2025
  • The secretary-treasurer of the Teamsters Local 2010 union raises his arms as he speaks on a stage.
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    Permission granted by Teamsters Local 2010
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    Principal, administrator unions rising steadily since COVID

    As more school leaders are joining unions for the first time, some in large school systems like LAUSD are looking to strengthen bargaining power.

    By Jan. 7, 2025
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    xavierarnau via Getty Images
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    ESA programs getting underway in Alabama, Louisiana

    The new state programs come as private school choice initiatives continue to gain traction and as a choice-friendly administration enters the White House.

    By Jan. 7, 2025
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    Tashi-Delek via Getty Images
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    House Republicans prioritize bill to restrict transgender students’ sports participation

    Lawmakers reintroduced a proposal that would prevent transgender girls from competing on sports teams aligning with their gender identity.

    By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 6, 2025
  • Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event in Reading, Pennsylvania.
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Trump wants to nix the Education Department. He should rebrand it instead.

    The president-elect should reimagine the agency as the Department of American Competitiveness, one communications expert argued. 

    By Hayley Matz Meadvin • Jan. 6, 2025
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    triocean via Getty Images
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    Supply chain woes appear to ease for school nutrition programs

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that school food service authorities continue to deal with staffing challenges and financial sustainability.

    By Jan. 3, 2025
  • A high school student sits in a school hallway with head in hand and cell phone in other hand.
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    Ridofranz via Getty Images
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    How does exclusionary discipline affect student mental health?

    Suspensions and expulsions can lead to higher rates of depression through early adulthood, according to research from the University of Arkansas.

    By Briana Mendez-Padilla • Jan. 3, 2025
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    Halfpoint via Getty Images
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    19% jump in Community Eligibility Provision participation expands free school meals

    Half of all National School Lunch Program schools now use the program that lets low-income schools serve meals to all students at no cost, FRAC found.

    By Jan. 3, 2025
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    FatCamera via Getty Images
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    Ed Dept pulls school-based Medicaid proposed rule

    Supporters had said they hoped a new rule would reduce schools’ paperwork burdens and increase reimbursements.

    By Jan. 3, 2025
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    iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
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    STUDY HALL

    What you need to know about Title IX

    The federal civil rights law barring sex discrimination in schools is a frequent target of policy ping-pong between presidential administrations.

    By Jan. 2, 2025
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    SolStock via Getty Images
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    Education Department withdraws proposed Title IX athletics rule

    The administration cited legal challenges and public comment in pulling the controversial regulation as the presidency is about to change hands.

    By Dec. 23, 2024
  • 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 year’s K-12 news

    In an expanded version of our weekly feature, here's a chance to show what you learned from some of 2024's biggest stories.

    By , Dec. 20, 2024