Policy & Legal: Page 9


  • AI, mass lawsuits
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    imaginima via Getty Images
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    Former principal sues Baltimore County schools over alleged racist AI deepfake

    Eric Eiswert’s lawsuit accuses the Maryland district of negligence in hiring, retention and supervision, as well as defamation, slander and libel.

    By Jan. 10, 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 Education Department’s withdrawal of a proposed rule to the latest school shooting data trends, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By Jan. 10, 2025
  • Explore the Trendline
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    Michael Loccisano via Getty Images
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    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
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    JuSun via Getty Images
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    PowerSchool data breach possibly exposed student, staff data

    The cloud-based K-12 software provider confirmed a compromised credential was used to access its PowerSource customer support portal.

    By Jan. 9, 2025
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    Stock Photo via Getty Images
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    Federal judge strikes down Biden administration’s Title IX rule nationwide

    The ruling vacates regulations that had enshrined protections for the first time for LGBTQI+ students and employees.

    By Natalie Schwartz , Updated Jan. 10, 2025
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    Just_Super via Getty Images
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    Education-related ransomware attacks worldwide fell in 2024

    Last year's ransomware attack counts will likely rise as more incidents are confirmed in the coming months, according to Comparitech.

    By Jan. 9, 2025
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    PeopleImages via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    6 trends that will shape K-12 in 2025

    Strained budgets, cybersecurity threats, book bans and artificial intelligence are among the bevy of challenges for school leaders to navigate.

    By , Jan. 9, 2025
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    Jatuporn Tansirimas via Getty Images
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    Congress extends Autism CARES Act for 5 more years

    The federal law will provide nearly $2 billion for research, training and services, including for early detection and interventions.

    By Jan. 8, 2025
  • A student is laying on the floor with their hands over their face. A laptop, books, a phone and notebooks are on the floor surrounding the person.
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    PeopleImages via Getty Images
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    Mental health crisis demands greater coordination between schools, pediatricians

    Increased access to youth behavioral health and substance abuse services is needed, says a report from the Bipartisan Policy Center.

    By Jan. 8, 2025
  • A close up view of a sculpture reads "the Ten Commandments. I am the LORD thy God."
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    Michael Smith via Getty Images
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    ACLU warns Louisiana superintendents not to post Ten Commandments in classrooms

    Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill had advised district leaders not impacted by a lawsuit to display the commandments per a new state law.

    By Jan. 7, 2025
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    xavierarnau via Getty Images
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    ESA programs getting underway in Alabama, Louisiana

    The new state programs come as private school choice initiatives continue to gain traction and as a choice-friendly administration enters the White House.

    By Jan. 7, 2025
  • The secretary-treasurer of the Teamsters Local 2010 union raises his arms as he speaks on a stage.
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    Permission granted by Teamsters Local 2010
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    Principal, administrator unions rising steadily since COVID

    As more school leaders are joining unions for the first time, some in large school systems like LAUSD are looking to strengthen bargaining power.

    By Jan. 7, 2025
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    Tashi-Delek via Getty Images
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    House Republicans prioritize bill to restrict transgender students’ sports participation

    Lawmakers reintroduced a proposal that would prevent transgender girls from competing on sports teams aligning with their gender identity.

    By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 6, 2025
  • Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event in Reading, Pennsylvania.
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Trump wants to nix the Education Department. He should rebrand it instead.

    The president-elect should reimagine the agency as the Department of American Competitiveness, one communications expert argued. 

    By Hayley Matz Meadvin • Jan. 6, 2025
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    triocean via Getty Images
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    Supply chain woes appear to ease for school nutrition programs

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that school food service authorities continue to deal with staffing challenges and financial sustainability.

    By Jan. 3, 2025
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    Ridofranz via Getty Images
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    How does exclusionary discipline affect student mental health?

    Suspensions and expulsions can lead to higher rates of depression through early adulthood, according to research from the University of Arkansas.

    By Briana Mendez-Padilla • Jan. 3, 2025
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    Halfpoint via Getty Images
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    19% jump in Community Eligibility Provision participation expands free school meals

    Half of all National School Lunch Program schools now use the program that lets low-income schools serve meals to all students at no cost, FRAC found.

    By Jan. 3, 2025
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    FatCamera via Getty Images
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    Ed Dept pulls school-based Medicaid proposed rule

    Supporters had said they hoped a new rule would reduce schools’ paperwork burdens and increase reimbursements.

    By Jan. 3, 2025
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    iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
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    STUDY HALL

    What you need to know about Title IX

    The federal civil rights law barring sex discrimination in schools is a frequent target of policy ping-pong between presidential administrations.

    By Jan. 2, 2025
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    SolStock via Getty Images
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    Education Department withdraws proposed Title IX athletics rule

    The administration cited legal challenges and public comment in pulling the controversial regulation as the presidency is about to change hands.

    By Dec. 23, 2024
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    POP QUIZ

    Test yourself on this year’s K-12 news

    In an expanded version of our weekly feature, here's a chance to show what you learned from some of 2024's biggest stories.

    By , Dec. 20, 2024
  • A close-up photo of a  black graduation cap with a yellow tassel hanging at the left side sits on a wooden table.
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    nirat via Getty Images
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    High school graduation rates held steady in 2022-23

    However, average rates showed racial and ethnic disparities, according to newly released National Center for Education Statistics data.

    By Dec. 20, 2024
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    Illustration: Cathryn Virginia for Industry Dive

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    STAFFED UP

    3 K-12 staffing lessons learned in 2024

    Schools continue to navigate persistent workforce challenges, including a shortage of special education teachers and gaps in diversity.

    By Dec. 19, 2024
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    Dusan Stankovic / Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Column

    Declining K-12 enrollment spells trouble for higher education’s future

    Given demographic trends, the sector will likely become more competitive and experience more closures, one consolidation expert argues. 

    By Ricardo Azziz • Dec. 19, 2024
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    Purdue9394 via Getty Images
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    Where could Trump tariffs hit school budgets?

    An economist says the president-elect’s proposed import taxes could drive up material costs and impact K-12 capital projects.

    By Dec. 18, 2024
  • An adult and student sit at a desk in a library. They are looking at papers on the desk.
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    SDI Productions via Getty Images
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    Special education teacher shortage creating ‘point of exhaustion’

    During a U.S. Commission on Civil Rights’ listening session, speakers shared hardships students, families and schools face due to a lack of educators.

    By Dec. 17, 2024