$1B to support student mental health is gone. Schools fear what’s next.

Funds for more school mental health professionals were discontinued due to “conflict” with Trump administration priorities, the Education Department said.

By Anna Merod • May 5, 2025

Trump’s FY26 budget would slash more than $4.5B from K-12

The plan would turn Title I and IDEA into single, separate grants, zero out key teacher grants, and add $60 million for charter schools.

By Naaz Modan • May 2, 2025

Explore the 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

Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

From a challenge to an education civil rights law to the new COPPA Rule’s implementation, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Anna Merod • May 2, 2025

Lawsuit challenges Trump ICE raid policy, citing LAUSD activity

Plaintiffs also included reports of attendance rates that "dropped in half" and an "influx of parents picking up their children" mid-day in districts nationwide.

By Naaz Modan • May 1, 2025

Federal cuts reduce scope of Nation’s Report Card

A number of voluntary NAEP subjects have been cut over the next eight years, including writing for all grades.

By Naaz Modan • May 1, 2025

School meal participation on the rise amid growing interest in CEP

Student participation rose 8% for school breakfasts and 6.8% for lunches between 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years, according to FRAC.

By Anna Merod • May 1, 2025

Supreme Court could allow creation of nation’s first religious public school

Though the court's conservative majority appeared open to such a school’s creation, liberal justices raised questions on curricula and discrimination.

By Naaz Modan • April 30, 2025

What’s next for the registered teacher apprenticeship movement?

To keep high-quality programs running, it's crucial to have sustainable financing and to amplify district and state voices.

By Anna Merod • April 30, 2025

How tariff uncertainties are already impacting school purchasing

District leaders point to "whiplash" for school purchases on everything from laptops to paper products as the Trump administration changes trade policies.

By Anna Merod • April 30, 2025

Trump signs Take It Down Act, making illicit deepfakes a criminal act

The bipartisan measure takes aim at sexually explicit images generated by artificial intelligence, an issue increasingly impacting students and schools.

By Anna Merod • Updated May 19, 2025

Justices seem puzzled by district’s argument in disability case

Consequences for districts' financial liability in Section 504 and ADA cases are on the line in a case turning on the legal standards to be used.

By Naaz Modan • April 28, 2025

19 states sue Education Department over anti-DEI efforts

A coalition of attorneys general contends that the agency’s Title VI certification directive places “onerous” and “excruciatingly difficult” demands on states.

By Roger Riddell • April 28, 2025

IDEA services for infants, toddlers brace for budget impacts

The Part C early intervention program is stable for now, but advocates and researchers are worried about potential cuts to Medicaid and appropriations.

By Kara Arundel • April 28, 2025

New COPPA Rule to take effect in June

The Federal Trade Commission’s amended final rule expands parental control over companies that collect children’s data.

By Anna Merod • April 25, 2025

Will Trump’s school discipline order drive wider disparities or ‘restore common sense’?

Some critics worry the directive will hurt marginalized students, but supporters say race-based practices hamper school safety.

By Kara Arundel • April 25, 2025

Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

From new executive orders to a state’s private school choice program being deemed unconstitutional, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Anna Merod • April 25, 2025

States drop Section 504 constitutional challenge

The 17 state plaintiffs don't want to declare the disability discrimination rule unconstitutional but continue to argue that gender dysphoria is not a disability.

By Kara Arundel • April 25, 2025

Federal judges deal major blow to Education Department’s anti-DEI guidance

The Trump administration's efforts to withhold funds from schools "raise the specter of a public 'witch hunt,'" one ruling said.

By Kara Arundel , Natalie Schwartz • Updated April 25, 2025

Trump targets AI, school discipline in new executive orders

In addition to advancing AI in schools, the orders call for a review of discipline guidance based on “discriminatory and unlawful ‘equity’ ideology.”

By Anna Merod • April 23, 2025

What could an executive order on AI in education mean for schools?

A draft order would direct federal agencies to prioritize artificial intelligence initiatives in schools and to help train students and teachers to use the tech.

By Anna Merod • April 23, 2025

2 in 5 LGBTQ+ youth face socioeconomic challenges

Transgender and nonbinary youth were more likely to experience food insecurity, houselessness and unmet basic needs compared to peers.

By Naaz Modan • April 23, 2025

Justice Department: Maine Education Department at risk of losing $864M

The federal agency warned last week that it may retroactively pull funding to Maine for past Title IX violations.

By Naaz Modan • April 23, 2025

Maine’s K-12 is on the brink of losing federal funding. How did it get here?

The case may serve as a blueprint for other investigations as Attorney General Pam Bondi has warned "many, many" other states are next.

By Naaz Modan • Updated May 5, 2025

Supreme Court appears split in key curriculum opt-out case

The Supreme Court’s opinion in Mahmoud v. Taylor could set precedent on parental opt-out policies and LGBTQ+ curricular content. 

By Naaz Modan • April 22, 2025

ICE agents lied about having parents’ permission to speak to LAUSD students, senators say

A letter from California senators to the immigration enforcement agency reveals agents attempted to locate children — without any warrants — in grades 1-6.

By Naaz Modan • April 22, 2025