School Models

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    Senators debate whether school choice harms or helps public schools

    Supporters of private school choice tout opportunities to innovate, while critics worry about the financial stability of public schools.

    By • Jan. 28, 2026
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    monkeybusinessimages via Getty Images
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    Private school choice could ‘undermine’ special education gains, COPAA says

    A new report recommends that states inform parents of any education and civil rights that may be lost if they participate in a private school choice program.

    By • Jan. 27, 2026
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    "Freshman Orientation" by Phil Roeder is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Trendline

    Social-Emotional Learning

    Our latest K-12 Dive Trendline takes a closer look at how educators are addressing social-emotional learning amid pushback from policymakers and ongoing demand from employers.

    By K-12 Dive staff
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    STUDY HALL

    What you need to know about private school choice

    State-led programs that use taxpayer funds for private school tuition have expanded rapidly. A new federal program will add even more options.

    By • Jan. 26, 2026
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    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 • Jan. 26, 2026
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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 challenges to a bipartisan budget proposal, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • Jan. 23, 2026
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Natural disasters will happen. What to do before — and after — one strikes your school.

    NWEA’s playbook suggests that schools develop a recovery plan and build relationships with community groups before any severe climate event occurs.

    By • Jan. 23, 2026
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    How a California district embraces student-centered counseling

    A low-income district east of San Jose has become a “bright spot” for tackling absenteeism with an approach focused on data and student interactions.

    By Ed Finkel • Jan. 22, 2026
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    bluestocking via Getty Images
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    Maine teacher makes math relevant with ‘fun-tivities’

    This high school educator is engaging students with a mix of inquiry-based digital projects and hands-on activities.

    By Ed Finkel • Jan. 21, 2026
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    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 , , , • Jan. 20, 2026
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    Week In Review: School shootings drop and SCOTUS hears trans athletics cases

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from a slew of new Title IX probes to debates over tech in schools.

    By • Jan. 20, 2026
  • Houston Independent School District Superintendent Mike Miles sits at a table with younger students
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    Retrieved from Houston Independent School District.
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    Houston ISD families report positive outlook following takeover

    Data shows particularly positive perceptions toward learning progress and district improvement among families at targeted improvement schools.

    By • Jan. 20, 2026
  • A young bearded teacher is seated on a desk and talking with a diverse group of teenage students seated in a circle in a classroom.
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    Opinion

    How can we create the conditions to inspire young leaders to say ‘yes’ to teaching careers?

    Innovative staffing models may be part of the solution, writes the executive director of Teach For America Bay Area in California.

    By Beatrice Viramontes • Jan. 15, 2026
  • A student is pictured sitting at a desk in a classroom holding a cellphone under the desk. Only the student's middle body is shown.
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    StockPlanets via Getty Images
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    Poll shows most teens oppose classroom cellphone bans

    Despite teens’ perceptions, states and districts say the restrictions lead to better teacher satisfaction and improved school climate.

    By • Jan. 15, 2026
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    How ‘open mic’ activities can improve writing, social skills

    Involving students in planning and fostering a supportive environment can encourage even the most reticent to participate, one expert says.

    By Ed Finkel • Jan. 14, 2026
  • Four high school students and a teacher are sitting and standing around a desk in a classroom. One student siting at the desk is using a laptop and mouse and others are looking at the screen
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    izusek via Getty Images
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    Positive school climate tied to better student attendance

    Chicago middle and high schoolers with fewer absences had higher test scores, the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research finds.

    By • Jan. 13, 2026
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    Jatuporn Tansirimas via Getty Images
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    Increasing rates of student loneliness present challenge for schools

    One researcher suggests stronger support for social-emotional learning is needed to address the issue for all students.

    By Ed Finkel • Jan. 12, 2026
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    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 • Jan. 12, 2026
  • A police officer with a long gun is seen in the distance near the exterior of a red brick school building. In the foreground is an athletic scoreboard that says the school name.
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    Michael Ciaglo via Getty Images
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    School shootings dropped in 2025. Here’s what to know for 2026.

    With school shootings reaching their lowest count in five years at 233, a school safety expert urges realistic prevention practices in the new year.

    By • Jan. 12, 2026
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    Deep Dive

    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 , , • Jan. 8, 2026
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    Retrieved from Thomas More Society on January 06, 2026
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    Should schools reveal students’ LGBTQ+ identity to parents? Teachers to ask the Supreme Court to decide

    A legal battle in California could determine whether parental notification of student pronoun and name changes is constitutional.

    By • Jan. 7, 2026
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    Courtesy of U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono
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    Opinion

    Private school choice threatens public school experiences, says EdTrust CEO

    Public funding for students and schools must be protected to preserve equitable learning opportunities, Denise Forte writes.

    By Denise Forte • Jan. 5, 2026
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    LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    5 lessons learned from top school administrators in 2025

    We’re highlighting key insights on ed tech adoption, remediation services, community engagement and more from this year’s conversations.

    By • Jan. 2, 2026
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    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 • Dec. 22, 2025
  • 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
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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