Policy experts: Funding, support for teacher prep programs critical to fix shortages

American Rescue Plan dollars can help fund short-term solutions to recruit and retain teachers, speakers said during an EdPrepLab virtual policy summit.

By Anna Merod • Jan. 27, 2022

Shifting trends could influence funding impacted by student counts

Expanded virtual learning options and free meal access should spark consideration of how enrollment and attendance impact budgets, report says.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 26, 2022

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

With K-12 cyberattacks expected to worsen in 2022, what can districts do?

Collaboration with local, federal and ed tech leaders for solutions may help address K-12’s growing vulnerabilities to cyberattacks.

By Anna Merod • Jan. 25, 2022

The SAT will be delivered digitally in the U.S. starting in 2024

While the College Board is touting the simplicity and accessibility of the new version, skeptics don't think it will solve equity issues related to the exam.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Jan. 25, 2022

Collaboration key to stemming school staff shortages

At a Council for Exceptional Children conference, advocates promoted examples of staffing solutions and recommended partnerships to fill voids.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 24, 2022

Survey: 37% of teachers will likely quit if K-12 censorship laws reach them

Overall, nearly three in 10 teachers said it's very likely or likely they will quit teaching this year, according to data from nonprofit Stand for Children. 

By Anna Merod • Jan. 24, 2022

Study: Anti-CRT campaigns impact districts with 35% of nation's students

The research analyzes how a broad network of conservative organizations fueled sweeping local action in the critical race theory “conflict campaign.”

By Anna Merod • Jan. 21, 2022

States easing substitute teaching requirements to soften shortage impacts

While encouraged by recent state-approved solutions, experts worry how ongoing substitute shortages will continue to harm students, staff.

By Anna Merod • Jan. 20, 2022

GAO: Schools with vulnerable students face 'heightened challenges' post-natural disaster

While impacts of natural disasters are long term, funding can dissipate in the short term before full need is met.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 19, 2022

States look to ease funding declines spurred by low student attendance

How states count students and when those counts take place can have big impacts on state-to-district allocations.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 18, 2022

Study: Student affordability views impact college enrollment, and trends could worsen during COVID

Significant disparities in enrollment exist between students who thought their families could afford college versus those who didn’t, NCES data shows.

By Anna Merod • Jan. 14, 2022

SCOTUS blocks Biden vaccine mandate, relieving districts of compliance

In the meantime, districts are tied to local and state requirements, and a future mandate could include "cramped and crowded" workplaces.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 13, 2022

Schools trim precautions as COVID-19 test shortages, infections grow

Districts are having to limit testing to return to school and contact tracing, though some experts suggest omicron signals the virus' transition to endemic.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 13, 2022

K-12 connectivity on the rise, but work still needed

As 25% more districts nationwide met FCC bandwidth goal in 2021, experts called the advancement encouraging.

By Anna Merod • Updated Jan. 14, 2022

Amid USDA's $750M boost to school meal support, experts question sustainability

Creating a universal school meals policy and balancing the supply chain are long-term solutions needed to sustain meal programs, experts say.

By Anna Merod • Jan. 12, 2022

Districts get creative to maintain special ed services as COVID drags on

As districts clear backlog of evaluations and IEP reviews, ensuring services and support remains challenging amid new bumps in the road.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 11, 2022

Where are state COVID vaccine mandates for schools heading?

Experts say more time might be needed for successful student vaccine mandates at the state level.

By Anna Merod • Jan. 10, 2022

5 superintendents to watch in 2022

These administrators' track records and outlooks toward top issues facing K-12 and the challenges ahead make them key players to keep an eye on.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 10, 2022

Amid omicron surge, policies restrict districts' remote learning options

Bus driver shortages and teacher absences are making it difficult to maintain in-person instruction, and virtual is no longer an option in some locations.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 7, 2022

3 inclusive education myths busted

A district assistive technology specialist writes that removing barriers for diverse students requires overcoming pervasive narratives in learning.

By Jamie Maier • Jan. 6, 2022

Omicron, staff shortages interrupt in-person school

Several large school systems are pivoting to remote learning as they balance health concerns with keeping students on track academically.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 5, 2022

With all 50 states' ARP plans approved, Ed Dept to release remaining $41B

District leaders hesitate to spend the funds on long-term programs despite three pots of ESSER relief and prompts from Ed Secretary Miguel Cardona. 

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 5, 2022

8 K-12 trends to watch in 2022

Fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing policy pingpong, curricular controversy and more are set to impact schools this year.

By Roger Riddell , Kara Arundel , Naaz Modan , Anna Merod • Jan. 4, 2022

Challenges persist in assessing, responding to threats against schools

Acts of violence against schools often happen after multiple red flags slip through the cracks, and threat assessment practices remain a topic of debate.

By Katie Navarra • Dec. 23, 2021

Schools encouraged to help students have positive social media experiences

Focus is growing on digital citizenship following social media-influenced threats of violence and acts of school destruction.

By Kara Arundel • Dec. 22, 2021