School Models

  • Top Oklahoma education official Ryan Walters speaks at a podium with his hand raised
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    Retrieved from Superintendent Ryan Walters.
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    Oklahoma Supreme Court strikes down controversial social studies standards

    The standards were already on pause, but the court ruled this week that the state board of education violated the law in creating and adopting them. 

    By • Dec. 19, 2025
  • The LGBTQ+ pride flag flies in the hands of an activist.
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Fewer than half of transgender, nonbinary youth report others use their pronouns

    Data released by The Trevor Project shows a lower suicide risk for students whose pronouns were used. In some states, policies make it a challenge.

    By • Dec. 18, 2025
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    Permission granted by Benetech
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    Trendline

    STEM

    From AI to quantum physics, STEM learning opportunities in K-12 are expanding to keep pace with related fields.

    By K-12 Dive staff
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    Dive Awards

    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 , • Dec. 16, 2025
  • A superintendent greets elementary students outside of their school as they arrive on a fall morning.
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    Permission granted by Iowa City Community School District
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    Dive Awards

    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 • Dec. 16, 2025
  • An empty chair sits in a dark room. Nothin else is in the room
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    eranicle via Getty Images
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    Bill in Congress aims to ban seclusion, limit restraint in schools

    In addition to improving student safety, the reintroduction of the Keeping All Students Safe Act would increase transparency and oversight.

    By • Dec. 16, 2025
  • A principal is pictured standing among students, speaking to them as they use an embroidery machine in a commercial art course.
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    Permission granted by Pierre Orbe
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    Dive Awards

    Principal of the Year: Pierre Orbe, DeWitt Clinton High School

    One educator’s unplanned detour from medical school into education led to a turnaround for one of New York City’s most storied high schools.

    By • Dec. 16, 2025
  • An adult and a young students are sitting at a table. In front of them are figures created with Play-doh
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    Permission granted by Beaverton School District
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    Dive Awards

    District of the Year: Beaverton School District

    The Oregon district has taken career and technical education, dual language programming and cost-saving school transportation to new heights.

    By • Dec. 16, 2025
  • A teacher sits at a desk while virtually instructing students through a laptop. The teacher is in an empty classroom with rows of chairs flipped upside down on top of students' desks.
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    Jon Cherry via Getty Images
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    School reopenings after pandemic linked to decreased mental health challenges

    District leaders should weigh infection risk and the need for socialization and other school resources in closure decisions during future crises, a study says.

    By • Dec. 12, 2025
  • two students are low to the ground looking at vegetation. The student closest to the camera holds a magnifying glass, a notebook and pencil.
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    Getty Images
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    The scientific method: It’s not just for science anymore

    The same exercises in logic and reason can extend to assignments in the social sciences, humanities and more.

    By Ed Finkel • Dec. 10, 2025
  • Four black graduation caps are being held up in the air by four hands.
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    Getty Images
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    Week in Review: Superintendents’ job satisfaction and the status of education degrees

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from a major ed tech data security settlement to the latest on a federal school voucher program.

    By • Dec. 8, 2025
  • A child's hand is seen moving a colorful block to a peg wooden board.
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    Vanessa Nunes via Getty Images
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    STUDY HALL

    Here’s what to know about the federal early learning Head Start program

    Head Start, which serves nearly 800,000 children ages birth through 5, is the "launchpad for future leaders and strong communities," says NHSA.

    By • Dec. 8, 2025
  • A person stands in the doorway of a classroom with their back to the camera. Another person is seen in the classroom.
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    John Moore via Getty Images
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    Most superintendents satisfied with job, despite the stress and demands

    Nearly 6 in 10 plan to stay in the superintendency over the next five years, an increase from 2010, according to AASA's mid-decade survey of district leaders.

    By • Dec. 4, 2025
  • A flag from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security hangs outside the ICE headquarters in Washington, D.C.
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    Alex Wong via Getty Images
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    Districts report enrollment drops amid heightened immigration enforcement

    A larger-than-expected dip in Los Angeles reflects "the realities our immigrant families are facing," Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said.

    By • Dec. 4, 2025
  • A student wearing a brace on their chest is seated at a desk in a classroom. An adult is standing nearby holding a pencil to a notebook on the desk.
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    Getty Images
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    IDEA at 50: How the landmark law changed education

    The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act has led to innovations for all students, but key factors could hinder further progress.

    By , • Dec. 3, 2025
  • Two adults kneel down to talk with a student seated in a chair
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    Retrieved from U.S. Department of Education/Flickr on December 01, 2025
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    McMahon marks IDEA’s 50th anniversary with Virginia school visit

    The government won’t take "its foot off of the gas pedal" on IDEA compliance or monitoring, says Kimberly Richey, acting assistant secretary of OSERS.

    By • Dec. 1, 2025
  • A student, whose part of hand and part of head can bee seen, is using a reading device at school. The device is black and has buttons.
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    Permission granted by Erick Salazar
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    Deep Dive // IDEA AT 50

    How IDEA sparked innovations for students with — and without — disabilities

    The landmark law has become the catalyst for legions of innovative practices and tools to make learning more accessible.

    By • Nov. 25, 2025
  • Close-up image of a woman’s hand using a touch screen computer in an office. An array of data is displayed on the screen.
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    Getty Images
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    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    How a small Oregon district turns data into action

    A streamlined approach helps Umatilla School District make sense of the numbers and ease data anxiety, says Superintendent Heidi Sipe.

    By • Nov. 24, 2025
  • The camera shows the exterior of an off-white stone building with the working "U.S. Department of Education" on the side of the building
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    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 • Nov. 24, 2025
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    POP QUIZ

    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 • Nov. 21, 2025
  • Two students and one adult gather around a lab table to observe a robot
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    Getty Images
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    Hands-on learning provides an opportunity to engage students with both hard and soft skills

    One expert advises educators to start small with a few community partners when implementing these experiences.

    By Ed Finkel • Nov. 19, 2025
  • A yellow school bus is seen from the side with an open door and a handful of children walking up the steps into the bus.
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    FatCamera via Getty Images
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    School bus driver shortage improves slightly with bump in hiring, pay

    Although school bus driver employment has grown by about 2,300 jobs over the past year, the number of positions remains below pre-pandemic levels.

    By • Nov. 18, 2025
  • The outside of a building is seen and there are flags on poles in front of the building.
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    4nadia via Getty Images
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    Lessons learned from Arizona’s universal school choice program

    The state’s universal private school choice program grew 633% between 2021-22 and 2024-25, equaling about 7% of the state’s school population last year.

    By • Nov. 17, 2025
  • an exterior shot of the capitol building at night
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    Kayla Bartkowski / Staff via Getty Images
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    Week In Review: Education Department activities resume

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

    By • Nov. 17, 2025
  • A photo illustration of a circle encompassing a question mark, pencil, and scantron test.
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    POP QUIZ

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

    From enrollment-based decision-making to AI literacy, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • Nov. 14, 2025
  • Two students are sitting next to each other at a desk in a classroom and are looking at a tablet
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    monkeybusinessimages via Getty Images
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    Where the federal school choice program stands

    The U.S. Department of Treasury is expected to issue proposed rules early next year detailing how the program will operate and how states can opt in.

    By • Nov. 13, 2025