School food prices soar by nearly 300%, consumer price index shows

A School Nutrition Association survey had already revealed concerns over food costs in January, with almost all school nutrition directors citing rising prices.

By Anna Merod • May 17, 2023

Cardona defends Ed Dept policies, budget request in House grilling

GOP lawmakers took issue with transgender rights and raising the debt ceiling. Democrats want more resources for underserved students.

By Kara Arundel • May 17, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Attendance and Absenteeism

Our latest K-12 Dive Trendline takes a closer look at chronic absenteeism’s impact on schools and where educators are seeing success with attendance.

By K-12 Dive staff

Public weighs in on Title IX athletics rule with more than 150K comments

The proposal has elicited concern from both ends of the political spectrum over both the inclusion and exclusion of transgender students.

By Naaz Modan • May 16, 2023

School safety a key focus as White House ‘maximizes’ Bipartisan Safer Communities Act

President Joe Biden announced 13 new actions for implementing the law, including over $1 billion to help high-need districts apply for funding.

By Anna Merod • May 16, 2023

School foodservice programs deserve better than Beltway ‘experts’

Rep. Virginia Foxx and Sen. John Boozman write that school nutrition professionals should hold the decision-making power on the contents of school meals.

By Virginia Foxx and John Boozman • May 15, 2023

Senators probe Education Dept FY 24 spending plan

Senators raised Title I, IDEA, CTE, rural schools as priority areas. A House plan, however, promises to make severe across-the-board agency cuts.

By Kara Arundel • May 12, 2023

Pop Quiz: Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

From new data on the cost of housing for educators to school construction challenges, what did you learn from our stories the week of May 8?

By Roger Riddell • May 12, 2023

As national COVID-19 emergency ends, a look back on the virus’ impact on schools

These are the key events that shifted how schools operated throughout the health crisis over the last three years.

By Anna Merod , Kara Arundel • May 11, 2023

What does the end of Title 42 mean for schools?

Local officials and the federal government aim to provide resources to schools to support newcomer students who are English learners.

By Kara Arundel • May 11, 2023

Education Department: Colleges should place more Federal Work-Study students in K-12 support roles

Within two years, institutions should try to use at least 15% of work-study funding to employ students in community service activities, the agency said.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • May 11, 2023

Housing is increasingly unaffordable for teachers in many metropolitan areas

Rental costs can range from 47% of a teacher’s salary in San Francisco to 17% in Wichita, Kansas, according to a NCTQ analysis.

By Anna Merod • May 11, 2023

Survey: Despite partisan divide on curriculum, most agree decisions should fall on school districts

Overall, 42% of adult U.S. citizens surveyed by YouGov said a parent should try to change school curriculum if they disagree with certain materials.

By Anna Merod • May 10, 2023

K-12 anticipates a summer of school construction

As schools plan for a surge of ESSER-supported upgrades over summer break, many administrators remain concerned about spending deadlines.

By Kara Arundel • May 10, 2023

Unlocking opportunity: Evidence-based literacy investment is the key to our children’s future

North Carolina’s ed chief and a former governor of West Virginia write that schools must embrace the science of reading to combat NAEP declines.

By Bob Wise and Catherine Truitt • May 10, 2023

With chronic absenteeism on the upswing, how can schools tackle attendance issues?

Experts estimate chronic absenteeism rates have doubled since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and a new FutureEd report offers over two dozen remedies.

By Anna Merod • May 10, 2023

Students’ mental health a greater hindrance to learning since pandemic

Some 48% of secondary students reported that mental health impeded learning in 2022-23 compared to 39% in spring 2020, a YouthTruth survey found.

By Anna Merod • May 9, 2023

DeSantis signs bill restricting transgender students’ bathroom use in Florida

The bill would require schools to conduct disciplinary action against students and staff who willfully enter a restroom of the opposite gender.

By Kara Arundel • Updated May 17, 2023

Report: Severe weather disrupting special education services

Recommendations from the National Council on Disability include standards for electronic student records and additional funding.

By Kara Arundel • May 8, 2023

Illinois Gov. Pritzker signs nation’s 1st statewide book ban halt into law

The new law will withhold state funds from public institutions like libraries if they ban books.

By Anna Merod • Updated June 13, 2023

Why your school needs to act now against lead in drinking water

Lead exposure in schools poses a far more pervasive threat than you may realize.

May 8, 2023

Pop Quiz: Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

From a principal survey on staffing shortages to state bills limiting student pronoun use, what did you learn from our stories the week of May 1?

By Anna Merod • May 5, 2023

Oakland teachers and staff go on strike amid contract negotiations

California's Oakland Unified School District said schools would remain open, with principals and staff supervising students.

By Anna Merod • May 5, 2023

Show me your budget, I’ll tell you your values

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona writes that a congressional Republican budget proposal’s education cuts would be “staggeringly reckless.”

By Miguel Cardona • May 5, 2023

California bill proposes 50% school staff salary hike over 7 years

Pushes to raise K-12 faculty and K-12 staff salaries are growing more prevalent nationwide as rising costs persist.

By Anna Merod • May 4, 2023

Tennessee ed chief Penny Schwinn’s resignation elicits mixed reflections

Schwinn gained national attention for overseeing the launch of an Education Savings Account program, a teaching apprenticeship program and more.

By Anna Merod • May 3, 2023