Federal proposal could reshape how districts accommodate pregnant employees

Under EEOC proposed rules, staff could be excused from performing one or more essential job functions for a potential total of nearly two years.

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 16, 2023

Schools using nonpunitive approaches to tackle chronic absenteeism

Compliance-driven attendance policies are being replaced by trauma-informed practices and family engagement activities.

By Kara Arundel • Aug. 15, 2023

Updating school nutrition standards could save 10,600 lives per year

Aligning school meals standards with national dietary guidelines would improve children’s health, a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found.

By Anna Merod • Aug. 15, 2023

Feds urge colleges to partner with schools to navigate SCOTUS race-conscious ruling

Education, Justice departments outline what colleges can still consider, offering guidance for school counselors as they help students through the application process.

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 14, 2023

Maryland awards $3M to combat racial disproportionality in special ed

The funds will target overidentification of students of color who are classified as having intellectual and emotional disabilities.

By Kara Arundel • Aug. 14, 2023

Montana scores rare federal testing waiver in favor of through-year assessment

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said the waiver will encourage more schools to participate in the field test while maintaining rigorous standards.

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 11, 2023

TIAA hit with class-action lawsuit over MOVEit data breach

The suit claims the teachers’ retirement fund did not properly handle sensitive information compromised in the far-reaching cyberattack.

By Anna Merod • Aug. 11, 2023

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

From teacher retention initiatives to another state implementing universal school meals, what did you learn from our stories the week of August 7?

By Anna Merod • Aug. 11, 2023

Maryland parents seek religious opt-out from LGBTQ+ curriculum

In a state without a “Don’t Say Gay” law, Muslim and Christian parents are suing a large school district over their First and 14th amendment rights.

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 10, 2023

Massachusetts becomes 8th state to adopt universal school meals

Five states have enacted such policies this year — a sign that momentum is growing for free school breakfast and lunch for all students.

By Anna Merod • Aug. 10, 2023

Charter school funding averages 30% less than traditional public schools

Charter schools in major cities received, on average, $7,147 less per pupil during the 2019-20 school year, a new study finds.

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 9, 2023

More bathroom lawsuits are being ruled in favor of transgender students

The Supreme Court is expected to eventually take up the issue as lawsuits over access to restrooms and other communal facilities continue.

By Naaz Modan • Updated Jan. 17, 2024

NCTQ: State policies hinder progress on teacher diversity

States are ramping up recruitment and retention efforts but lack measures aimed directly at diversifying the workforce, a new report finds.

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 8, 2023

AWS pledges $20M to K-12 cyber training, incident response

The cloud services provider is participating in a broad White House plan to build additional protection for schools against ransomware and other threats.

By David Jones • Aug. 7, 2023

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

From school construction concerns to a Senate committee’s FY24 education spending proposal, what did you learn from our stories the week of July 31?

By Roger Riddell • Aug. 4, 2023

New Jersey school district to pay $9.1M in bullying settlement

The case is one of many negligence suits against school districts in the past decade and comes amid a rise in student misbehavior following the pandemic. 

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 3, 2023

GAO: Defense Dept should assess Troops-to-Teachers program

DOD said it could fulfill some of what was asked but didn't have the capacity to assess and report the program's effectiveness.

By Kara Arundel • Aug. 3, 2023

Equity in IDEA: The rising challenge of significant disproportionality

School leaders seek solutions amid ballooning racial disparities among students with disabilities.

By Kara Arundel • Aug. 1, 2023

Nation’s first religious charter school challenged by public school advocates, parents

Plaintiffs claim the school approved in June by the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board would discriminate when it opens in fall 2024. 

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 1, 2023

Education, Labor departments issue guidance for registered teacher apprenticeships

The new framework and federal investments come as the “earn while they learn” model continues to gain steam in education.

By Anna Merod • Aug. 1, 2023

Booksellers, publishers and authors file suit over Texas book rating law

The lawsuit marks yet another legal challenge by the literary industry against curriculum censorship laws.

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 1, 2023

Equity in IDEA: Finding solutions to racial disproportionality in special ed

Efforts to remedy overrepresentation of students with disabilities takes time and collaboration with general education, experts say.

By Kara Arundel , Shaun Lucas , Julia Himmel • Aug. 1, 2023

Virginia special education lawsuit dismissed

The complaint against Fairfax County Public Schools and Virginia Department of Education alleged bias by hearing officers.

By Kara Arundel • Aug. 1, 2023

Equity in IDEA: Why racial disparities are increasing in special ed programs

A nearly 100% increase in the number of districts identified as significantly disproportionate is causing school leaders to examine data and practices.

By Kara Arundel , Shaun Lucas , Julia Himmel • July 31, 2023

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

From an Ed Department noncompliance update to a student data privacy lawsuit, what did you learn from our stories the week of July 24?

By Anna Merod • July 28, 2023