Policy & Legal: Page 8

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    82% of K-12 schools recently experienced a cyber incident

    Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting school networks through phishing and social engineering, a cybersecurity nonprofit reported.

    By • March 10, 2025
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    Roger Riddell/K-12 Dive
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    AASA '25

    Misinformation is flooding school communities. Here are 3 strategies to combat it.

    Consistency, simplicity and thorough planning are essential to help stakeholders cut through the noise, panelists at AASA’s annual conference said.

    By • March 7, 2025
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    Trendline

    Attendance and Absenteeism

    Our latest K-12 Dive Trendline takes a closer look at chronic absenteeism’s impact on schools and where educators are seeing success with attendance.

    By K-12 Dive staff
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Democratic AGs sue over cancellation of teacher grants

    The eight-state lawsuit says the Education Department’s elimination of $600 million in grants will contribute to the teacher shortage and harm students.

    By • March 7, 2025
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    POP QUIZ

    Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

    From a lawsuit against the Education Department to an analysis of the types of books being banned, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • March 7, 2025
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    Alex Wong via Getty Images
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    ‘Stay of execution’: Where’s Trump’s order to shut down Education Department?

    While an executive order didn't come down as expected Thursday, the education community is bracing for more cuts to key department resources.

    By • March 6, 2025
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    FatCamera via Getty Images
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    OCR opens probe of D.C.’s special education services

    The investigation will look into how the city is meeting the needs of students with disabilities, according to a Wednesday announcement.

    By • March 6, 2025
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    Stephanie Keith via Getty Images
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    State proposals threaten free public education for students lacking immigration status

    A bill in New Jersey takes direct aim at a 1982 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that says states can't deny school access based on a student’s immigration status.

    By • March 6, 2025
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    izusek via Getty Images
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    LGBTQ+ youth face higher rates of mental health challenges in South, Midwest

    A regional breakdown shows LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to struggle with mental health care access, discrimination and other challenges in these areas.

    By • March 5, 2025
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    NEA, ACLU challenge Education Department’s DEI letter

    Despite the department's attempt to clarify the original directive, education and civil rights organizations are pushing forward with their lawsuits.

    By • March 5, 2025
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    Rise in measles has schools on alert

    Researchers point to vaccine skepticism as one explanation for an increase in measles cases.

    By • March 5, 2025
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    Education Department sued over cuts to teacher training grants

    Three teacher preparation groups allege that the agency’s recent termination of three federal grant programs approved by Congress is unlawful.

    By • Updated March 19, 2025
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    SDI Productions via Getty Images
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    Education groups urge Congress to reinstate teacher workforce grants

    K-12 pipeline programs are already ending in some states due to the slashing of Education Department funds, says a letter from over 100 organizations.

    By • March 4, 2025
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    John M. Chase via Getty Images
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    Trump administration clarifies stance on DEI in schools

    The agency seemed to curb its hardline stance and said schools' diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are not automatically on the chopping block.

    By • March 3, 2025
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    Kenishirotie via Getty Images
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    Are schools ‘soft censoring’ books out of fear?

    Out of 4,218 unique book titles banned in the 2023-24 school year, around 36% featured characters of color, according to PEN America data.

    By • March 3, 2025
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    FreshSplash via Getty Images
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    BY THE NUMBERS

    Half of young children own a cell phone or tablet

    Children ages 8 and younger had an average daily screen time of 2 hours and 27 minutes in 2024, Common Sense Media found.

    By • March 3, 2025
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    How will cutting NAEP for 17-year-olds impact postsecondary readiness research?

    The canceled exam would have provided a post-pandemic update for its age group. But it was last administered in 2012, leaving a gap in data points.

    By Briana Mendez-Padilla • Feb. 28, 2025
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    POP QUIZ

    Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

    From the growing enrollment of special education students to a Supreme Court decision on the E-rate program, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • Feb. 28, 2025
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    Illustration: Cathryn Virginia for Industry Dive

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    STAFFED UP

    Innovative K-12 staffing strategies are feeling the brunt of federal funding cuts

    Efforts to improve recruitment and retention and to diversify the workforce are being impacted by the Education Department’s grant cancellations.

    By • Updated March 4, 2025
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    Education Department launches anti-DEI portal

    The information collection tool is part of the Trump administration's effort to eliminate practices for diversity, equity and inclusion. 

    By • Feb. 27, 2025
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    Concerns mount over potential loss of Medicaid funds for schools

    Efforts in the federal government to reduce spending would put school-based health services in jeopardy, advocates say.

    By • Feb. 27, 2025
  • Randi Weingarten, President of American Federation of Teachers Union (AFT), speaks about President elect Donald Trump's Education Secretary nominee, Betsy DeVos, during a news conference at the Nation
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    Mark Wilson via Getty Images
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    AFT sues Education Department over anti-DEI guidance

    The union alleged that the agency's recent guidance barring schools from considering race in any of their programs and policies is unconstitutional.

    By Laura Spitalniak • Feb. 26, 2025
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    Jon Cherry via Getty Images
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    Education Department approves more ARP spending extensions for districts

    School systems in 41 states now have 14 more months to spend down federal COVID-19 emergency funding under the American Rescue Plan.

    By • Feb. 25, 2025
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    Special education enrollment climbs to nearly 8M

    Data suggests the number of students with disabilities between ages 3-21 could jump by about 1 million between 2021 and 2025 if current trends hold.

    By • Feb. 25, 2025
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    Maine faces Title IX investigation over transgender athletic policies

    The Trump administration said it will withhold federal funds if the state doesn’t comply with an executive order on transgender girls’ participation in sports.

    By • Feb. 24, 2025
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    Jemal Countess via Getty Images
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    DOGE blocked from accessing Education Department’s sensitive student data until March 10

    A judge said the Trump administration failed to explain why the Department of Government Efficiency needed “sweeping access” to the agency’s records. 

    By Natalie Schwartz • Feb. 24, 2025