Ed Dept makes case for $102.8B proposal for FY 2022

Pandemic recovery and equitable practices are highlighted in the budget plan, which calls for a 41% boost in education funding over the current fiscal year.

By Kara Arundel • June 1, 2021

Why having too many or too few special education students matters

With a predicted rise in the number of referrals, schools should have tiered supports in place and monitor for inappropriate identifications.

By Kara Arundel • June 1, 2021

Explore the 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

Ed Department details limits, flexibilities of ESSER funds

The FAQ provides examples of allowable allocations and the flow of relief funding from states to districts.

By Kara Arundel • May 27, 2021

To meaningfully address learning loss, schools must use federal funds to reform education

A former chief academic officer for Delaware writes that achieving long-term results from relief funding will require a comprehensive rethinking of how school works.

By Michael Watson • May 27, 2021

Decoding the Divide: The struggle to make 21st century learning equitable for all students

A year of unprecedented disruption prompted significant investment to expand digital equity, but gaps persist in a number of areas.

By Roger Riddell , Naaz Modan , Kara Arundel • May 25, 2021

Decoding the Divide: Closing the digital gap rests on effective policies, practices

Educators seek sustainable and reliable solutions to make internet access a permanent part of education on school grounds and in students' homes.

By Kara Arundel • May 25, 2021

States delay federal aid distribution, hampering district budgeting, programs

Delays have been especially noticeable in ESSER I and II, impacting plans for summer school and leaving superintendents to fly blind when budgeting.

By Naaz Modan • May 21, 2021

Census Bureau: 2019 had largest annual ed spending increase in a decade

Historical spending trends may be helpful as school systems focus on the appropriate, equitable allocation of emergency relief funding.

By Kara Arundel • May 20, 2021

How are districts planning to spend American Rescue Plan funds?

Considering relief funds will last approximately three years, superintendents are anticipating a fiscal cliff and being strategic with investments.

By Naaz Modan • May 18, 2021

School districts must learn from history, not repeat it

A former superintendent writes that understanding a crisis like Hurricane Katrina can help schools build back better from COVID-19.

By Robert Avossa • May 18, 2021

Republicans suggest teachers unions had 'outsized influence' on reopenings

In a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, Reps. Virginia Foxx and Burgess Owens expressed "significant concerns" over union influence on guidance from the CDC and Ed Department.

By Naaz Modan • May 12, 2021

Study: New Jersey early childhood program's benefits stretch to 10th grade

The Abbott Preschool Program improved long-term achievement in language/literacy, math and science, in addition to lowering grade retention.

By Shawna De La Rosa • May 10, 2021

Will K-12 schools require COVID-19 vaccination for students?

As school leaders debate their vaccine approaches, they should first understand their state and local policies.

By Kara Arundel • Updated May 10, 2021

Tennessee joins states seeking to limit instruction on systemic racism

This week, the state's legislature passed a bill prohibiting the teaching of critical race theory and related concepts.

By Naaz Modan • May 7, 2021

After 'dramatic paradigm shift' for districts, more Title IX changes expected

Less than a year after an overhaul one district leader called "a Frankenstein's monster of confusion" for districts, what might a new round of changes bring?

By Naaz Modan • May 6, 2021

Congress begins debate on proposed $103B ed budget

In a Wednesday subcommittee hearing, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona promoted the fiscal plan and weighed in on civics ed, transgender students in sports and more.

By Kara Arundel • May 6, 2021

States, districts debate whether to end remote learning option

The 2021-22 school year will likely be a transition year during which districts will start to phase out their locally created remote learning models.

By Kara Arundel • May 4, 2021

Can $800M help reconnect homeless students with schools?

The American Rescue Plan allots funds to locate and assist the 1.5 million students experiencing homelessness as schools push to reconnect with students missing from remote learning.

By Shawna De La Rosa • May 3, 2021

California groups urge schools to make a 'restorative restart' this fall

Use stimulus funding and the momentum for reform to close opportunity and academic gaps, the framework for equitable practices recommends.

By Kara Arundel • April 30, 2021

American Families Plan caps Biden's first 100 days with pre-K proposal

President Joe Biden's call for a $309 billion investment to offer free preschool and two years of community college is part of his Build Back Better agenda.

By Kara Arundel • April 29, 2021

Supreme Court could determine when and whether schools can regulate off-campus speech

In Wednesday arguments, justices at both ends of the political spectrum expressed caution at expanding schools' authority.

By Naaz Modan • April 28, 2021

Florida superintendent, district counsel indicted during review of school safety efforts

The perjury and unlawful disclosure indictments against Broward County officials come as a grand jury probes school safety practices statewide.

By Kara Arundel • April 21, 2021

Ed Dept details rules for maintaining state K-12 funding under COVID-19 relief

Reviews of waiver applications for state fiscal maintenance of effort will take into consideration student impacts, according to the Ed Department.

By Kara Arundel • April 21, 2021

How can ed leaders prioritize student mental health in school reopenings?

Officials from three states suggest tapping existing programs and partnerships to strengthen mental health initiatives in the wake of the pandemic.

By Naaz Modan • April 15, 2021

Nearly $200B in K-12 pandemic relief funding brings advantages, challenges

Spending those funds appropriately and equitably will take careful and transparent planning among stakeholders, education experts say.

By Kara Arundel • April 14, 2021