Student participation in school meal program dips after universal meals end

Challenges cited by district leaders in raising school meal participation rates could be addressed by providing universal free meals, advocates say. 

By Naaz Modan • July 6, 2023

Energy Department doubles funding awarded for school infrastructure grants

The agency distributed $178 million — a big jump from the initial $80 million allocated — to high-need school communities for infrastructure upgrades.

By Anna Merod • July 6, 2023

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

Summer Reading: Book bans and curriculum wars spread amid K-12 politicization

Challenges to books and curricular topics have risen to the forefront as the nation’s culture wars have reached classrooms. 

By Roger Riddell • July 5, 2023

Race-conscious admissions ruling puts pressure on K-12

Educators are calling on the K-12 system to prioritize college-going efforts for marginalized students. Here’s how they can begin navigating changes.

By Naaz Modan , Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • June 30, 2023

Here’s what schools should know about the growing CROWN Act

Now in 23 states, the movement aims to prohibit school grooming or dress policies that discriminate based on hair texture and type.

By Anna Merod • June 30, 2023

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

From a major Supreme Court ruling to additional USDA funding for school meals, what did you learn from our stories the week of June 26?

By Anna Merod • June 30, 2023

Parkland SRO acquitted on all charges

School resource officer Scot Peterson faced counts of child neglect and negligence in the massacre that took the lives of 17 students and staff.

By Roger Riddell , Naaz Modan • Updated June 30, 2023

Ed Dept says some ARP-funded activities may extend beyond liquidation deadline

The department clarified that districts can, in some situations, continue activities funded by ARP emergency aid past spending deadlines.

By Naaz Modan • June 29, 2023

Supreme Court rules against race-conscious admissions at Harvard and UNC-Chapel Hill

The opinion issued Thursday could impact the pipeline of high school students into postsecondary education as well as K-12 diversity efforts.

By Kara Arundel , Naaz Modan , Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • June 29, 2023

Maryland invests $10M in statewide math tutoring program

The ESSER-funded initiative comes as NAEP results provide further evidence that secondary students are struggling to recover post-pandemic.

By Anna Merod • June 28, 2023

Nutrition education needed to transform health and food practices nationwide

As the nation faces complex nutrition and health challenges, now is the time for leaders to push for change and transformation, two experts write.

By Michael Hinojosa and Linda Novick O’Keefe • June 28, 2023

How can middle and high schools improve support for English learners?

Federally funded research aims to find ways to increase English learners' access to rigorous courses for high school completion.

By Kara Arundel • June 28, 2023

Texas allows schools to hire chaplains for student mental health needs

School boards must vote on whether to adopt the policy, which civil rights groups are warning is unconstitutional and will be closely monitored. 

By Naaz Modan • June 28, 2023

USDA to give states nearly $1.3B to purchase school meals

The agency’s move comes as temporary increases to federal reimbursement rates for school breakfasts and lunches are expected to end June 30.

By Anna Merod • June 27, 2023

SCOTUS declines to hear landmark charter case

The case could have decided whether charters are accountable to the same civil rights laws as public schools and influenced broader school choice issues.

By Naaz Modan • June 26, 2023

Summer Reading: The education sector struggles with evolving cyberthreats

Schools hold treasure troves of valuable personal data and often lack the human, technical or financial resources to adequately safeguard it.

By Roger Riddell • June 26, 2023

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

From long-term national testing data to a lawsuit over a Florida school district’s book bans, what did you learn from our stories the week of June 19?

By Anna Merod • June 23, 2023

House votes to condemn use of schools as shelters for migrants

While the resolution doesn't change existing law, one Republican lawmaker calls the action a "crystal-clear rebuke of the chaos at the border."

By Kara Arundel • June 23, 2023

Senate bill proposes improved workforce data collection to curb teacher shortages

As debate over the extent of the issue persists, Sen. Tim Kaine’s bill would create a grant program to help states bolster recruitment and retention data.

By Anna Merod • June 23, 2023

How are states supporting K-12 cybersecurity amid growing threats?

As state efforts slowly ramp up to help struggling districts, they alone can’t completely remedy cybersecurity risks, one ed tech expert said.

By Anna Merod • June 22, 2023

Florida district, state officials sued for banning children’s book under ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law

A lawsuit against Florida’s Lake County School District alleges a ban on the children’s book “And Tango Makes Three” violated the First Amendment.

By Anna Merod • June 22, 2023

22 states now require high school financial literacy courses

While access to these classes grows, inequities persist across location, race and poverty levels.

By Anna Merod • June 21, 2023

13-year-olds’ reading, math scores decline to levels not seen since ‘70s

The pandemic added to “troubling trends” dating back a decade, especially for lower-performing students, said NCES Commissioner Peggy Carr.

By Naaz Modan • June 21, 2023

Proposed Section 504 rule expected in August

The Education Department indicates the update will address barriers for students with disabilities, fix outdated language and align with civil rights laws.

By Kara Arundel • June 21, 2023

Wisconsin district to pay $450K, raise teacher salaries to settle EEOC claim

Salary disparities ranging from $3,000 to $17,000 showed gender bias.

By Kate Tornone • June 20, 2023