School COVID-19 mitigation strategies mixed as experts expect new wave of infections in fall

A small number of districts are beginning to reinstate face mask requirements for the new school year as omicron subvariant BA.5 picks up.

By Anna Merod • July 26, 2022

Ed Dept inspector general finds GEER misspending in Oklahoma

The state’s COO said corrective steps already taken include hiring of grant management execs and development of rubric for grant decision-making.

By K-12 Dive staff • July 25, 2022

Florida to let veterans teach without bachelor’s degree

While the plan is designed to address shortages, some ed leaders say the temporary certification undermines teacher quality standards.

By Roger Riddell , Kara Arundel • July 22, 2022

As states tackle teacher shortages, which plans show the most promise?

Local and regional nuances mean there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to the problem, but some solutions are better suited to those challenges than others.

By Roger Riddell • July 22, 2022

Some districts are constructing gender-neutral school bathrooms amid national debate

A Maine school district is using federal relief funds for bathroom construction, while a California district put plans for a new all-gender locker room on hold.

By Kara Arundel • July 22, 2022

Child nutrition reauthorization plan calls for expanding free meal access

The House Education and Labor Committee’s Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act includes provisions for summer food insecurity, meal debts and operations.

By Roger Riddell • July 21, 2022

Educator job dissatisfaction spikes to 79% in AFT survey

Respondents cited workload, compensation, work conditions, disruptions and lack of support as factors influencing their negative sentiment.

By Roger Riddell • July 20, 2022

Confidence in public schools sees sharp decline among Republicans

The stark contrast along party lines comes amid high polarization over critical race theory, LGBTQ issues and COVID-19 precautions.

By K-12 Dive staff • July 19, 2022

Ed Dept urges discipline bias protections for students with disabilities

Schools shouldn't have to choose between protecting students' rights and responding to safety concerns, Ed Secretary Miguel Cardona said.

By Kara Arundel • July 19, 2022

Tennessee judge temporarily blocks Biden administration transgender guidance

The injunction argues the guidance makes it impossible for some states to enforce their laws around sports participation and restroom access.

By K-12 Dive staff • July 18, 2022

56% of K-12 schools worldwide report ransomware attacks in past year

Among respondents in a Sophos survey, 47% reported an increase in volume of cyberattacks and 50% saw an increase in complexity.

By Roger Riddell • July 15, 2022

ASCA ‘22: How to support transgender elementary school students

Young transgender students often experience exhaustion, tokenism and discrimination in school, said a counselor administrator and researcher.

By Naaz Modan • July 14, 2022

Ed Dept encourages year-round enrichment programming with Engage Every Student Initiative

The announcement comes a week after a similar push from the White House and after a report found districts may be winding down summer programs. 

By Naaz Modan • July 14, 2022

3 best practices for implementing school safety tip lines

As more state and district leaders look to fund tip lines, school safety experts recommend increasing communication and access to these tools.

By Anna Merod • July 14, 2022

Report: Ed funding needs automatic stabilization in economic downturns

The current funding system has inadequacies and inequities, as well as too much reliance on state and local revenues, EPI says.  

By K-12 Dive staff • July 14, 2022

Arizona law removes bachelor's degree requirement for teachers

The new state law is "degrading the profession" and will worsen the teacher shortage, said one educator preparation expert.  

By Anna Merod • July 13, 2022

Conservative groups file lawsuit against Ed Department's family engagement council

The lawsuit alleges the National Parents and Families Engagement Council lacks “balanced” perspectives and violates the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

By Anna Merod • July 12, 2022

California COVID guidance for 2022-23 stresses keeping schools open

The California Department of Health recommended COVID-19 mitigation strategies for schools regarding vaccinations, testing and exposure. 

By K-12 Dive staff • July 12, 2022

Appeals court reinstates student free-speech suit over antisemitic Snapchat post

Since the case was originally decided, the U.S. Supreme Court had weighed in on the limits of disciplining off-campus speech in a separate suit.

By K-12 Dive staff • July 12, 2022

Arizona passes expansive school choice legislation

The new state law will allow families to receive over $6,500 per year per child for any form of education provided outside a traditional public school.

By Anna Merod • July 11, 2022

Majority of adults say too little priority given to K-12 during COVID

Republicans and Democrats alike shared the view that more attention should have been paid to the academic needs of the nation's students.

By K-12 Dive staff • July 11, 2022

ASCA ‘22: Counselors detail 3 steps for launching attendance initiatives

Improvements could take multiple years to pay off, and officials in Albuquerque are using different strategies for elementary, middle and high school.

By Naaz Modan • July 11, 2022

Can teachers instruct on Roe v. Wade amid curriculum censorship laws?

Following SCOTUS’ decision to overturn the landmark abortion decision, education experts weigh in on teachers’ ability to instruct on this moment.

By Anna Merod • July 8, 2022

Republican proposal reignites child tax credit expansion plans

The program would lift 2.6 million children out of poverty, but push approximately 1.3 million back under because of the proposed financing.

By Naaz Modan • July 8, 2022

Summer Reading: School meals in the spotlight

The passage of the bipartisan Keep Kids Fed Act maintains a pandemic-era spotlight on the critical importance of school meals.

July 8, 2022