Gaps in early childhood investment drive up K-12 costs

Disparities before age 5 are driven largely by housing and child care, triggering gaps that continue throughout childhood and into public schools.

By Naaz Modan • April 9, 2026

We want to hear about your school district’s rising leaders

Tell us about the standout assistant principals and district administrators who are fueling achievement, positive culture and innovation in your schools.

By Roger Riddell • April 8, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from K-12 Dive

K-12 Dive has gathered some a selection of our best coverage as a one-stop resource on the trends to watch in the months ahead.

By K-12 Dive staff

Want to stabilize K-12 enrollment? Expanding pre-K access could help

Children who participated in D.C.’s universal pre-K program were significantly more likely to stay in public schools, Urban Institute research shows.

By Kara Arundel • April 7, 2026

Week In Review: A $17.25M student data privacy settlement and the end of ESSER

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from AI’s use in reviewing books and curricula to diminishing returns for career and technical education.

By Roger Riddell • April 6, 2026

Week In Review: Outcomes-based ed tech contracts and K-12 policies in court

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from governors prioritizing special education to federal support for the science of reading.

By Roger Riddell • March 23, 2026

Week In Review: How states’ K-12 funding proportions have changed

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from SXSW EDU to superintendents navigating ICE activities.

By Roger Riddell • March 16, 2026

Week In Review: McMahon marks first year in office

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from proposed ed tech limits to interagency agreements.

By Roger Riddell • March 9, 2026

Test yourself on the past week’s K-12 news

From a U.S. Supreme Court decision to school closures in one of the nation’s largest districts, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Naaz Modan • March 6, 2026

Week In Review: Strategic staffing models and DC’s math gains

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from Title IX resolutions to the impact of E-rate expansion cuts.

By Roger Riddell • Feb. 17, 2026

7 books to help kids learn about belonging

Every child knows the feeling of being on the outside. The right story can help them find their way back in.

By Carol Jago for Harmony Academy at National University • Feb. 9, 2026

Week In Review: ICE on school grounds and FY26 education funding

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from new data on ransomware to tech accessibility rules.

By Roger Riddell • Feb. 9, 2026

Test yourself on the past week’s K-12 news

From the Education Department’s FY 2026 budget to ransomware attacks on schools and colleges, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Naaz Modan • Feb. 6, 2026

The K-12 outlook for 2026: How new federal priorities and funding challenges will stretch schools

We’ve gathered our trends to watch over the coming year in one place to help you stay on top of the fast-evolving landscape.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 30, 2026

Week In Review: Bipartisan agreement reached on Ed Dept funding plan for FY26

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from natural disaster best practices to policy and legal trends to watch this year.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 26, 2026

Test yourself on the past week’s K-12 news

From enrollment challenges to a bipartisan budget proposal, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 23, 2026

Trump 2.0: A sea change for K-12

From Education Department downsizing to a variety of legal battles, take a month-by-month look at how the federal approach to K-12 has shifted.

By Kara Arundel , Anna Merod , Naaz Modan , Roger Riddell • Jan. 20, 2026

Week In Review: From Head Start to Texas teachers, K-12 hits the courtroom

We’re rounding up last week’s news, including ESEA waivers and key trends to watch in 2026.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 12, 2026

Federal judge halts layoffs, anti-DEI measures at Head Start

Mass cuts and prohibitions on diversity, equity and inclusion put the program in an “impossible situation,” District Court Judge Ricardo Martinez wrote.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 8, 2026

6 trends to watch for K-12 in 2026

Enrollment concerns, growing school choice competition, data privacy and new federal policy priorities are among a slew of challenges facing public schools.

By Kara Arundel , Anna Merod , Naaz Modan • Jan. 8, 2026

Week In Review: K-12 Dive Awards and AI’s march in curriculum

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from a report on teens’ pronoun usage to milk in school lunches.

By Roger Riddell • Dec. 22, 2025

The K-12 Dive Awards for 2025

Whether they’re driving postsecondary pathways, district marketing strategies or school turnarounds, these leaders are raising the bar for K-12.

By Roger Riddell , Kara Arundel • Dec. 16, 2025

Superintendent of the Year: Matt Degner, Iowa City Community School District

This district leader focuses on making academic programs unique as he strives to set his school system apart at a time of growing competition for students.

By Roger Riddell • Dec. 16, 2025

Week In Review: Fallout from the Education Department’s breakup

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from 8th grade algebra to the latest legal pushes on religion in schools.

By Roger Riddell • Nov. 24, 2025

Test yourself on the past week’s K-12 news

From another shakeup at the Education Department to growth in Arizona’s universal school choice program, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Anna Merod • Nov. 21, 2025

Week In Review: Education Department activities resume

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from special education concerns to enrollment woes.

By Roger Riddell • Nov. 17, 2025