School Models

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    Stock Photo via Getty Images
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    These 4 trends are shaping the 2025-26 school year

    From enrollment to AI, education leaders face a variety of obstacles and opportunities as students return to classrooms.

    By , , , • Aug. 28, 2025
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    Stock Photo via Getty Images
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    Charter school expansion slows amid closures, low enrollment, report says

    A recent report alleges stagnating enrollment, underperformance and waste are among challenges the sector faces.

    By Briana Mendez-Padilla • Aug. 27, 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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    Alex Potemkin via Getty Images
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    How can districts help families navigate rising school supply costs?

    As Trump’s tariff policies ramp up and families face sticker shock over back-to-school shopping, some K-12 leaders are leaning on creative ways to assist.

    By • Aug. 26, 2025
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Severe weather eroding school finances and learning

    An NWEA report estimates that students lose 3.6 days of learning for every day of school missed due to severe weather.

    By • Aug. 26, 2025
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    Mike Stewart/AP

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    6 ways administrators are handling cellphone bans in the new school year

    School and district leaders say stakeholder input, consistent enforcement of rules and lessons in digital usage have helped their policies succeed.

    By • Aug. 25, 2025
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    John M. Chase via Getty Images
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    Week In Review: OCR staffers to return amid changing Title IX enforcement

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from music education’s impact on literacy to the latest Education Department changes.

    By • Aug. 25, 2025
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    Kara Arundel/K-12 Dive
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    How are education leaders combating chronic absenteeism?

    Making school attendance a state-level priority and building school-family relationships are among strategies showing results.

    By • Aug. 22, 2025
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    Jessica McGowan via Getty Images
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    How to protect students’ mental health during active shooter drills

    Researchers suggest using trauma-informed practices and banning hyper-realistic simulations.

    By • Aug. 18, 2025
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    Retrieved from U.S. Department of Education.
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    Week In Review: Enrollment dips, immigration enforcement weigh on schools

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from renewed mascot debates to court battles impacting schools.

    By • Aug. 18, 2025
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    Haugland Bowen, Katie. (2014). "Houston Skyline" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    Week In Review: Enrollment concerns weigh on districts and Houston makes progress

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from school choice in special education to Atlanta’s plans to address empty seats.

    By • Aug. 11, 2025
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    Permission granted by LEAP Academy University School
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    Why this New Jersey school requires parents to volunteer

    Officials at LEAP Academy University School say they work with families to ensure the annual 40 hours of volunteer work aren’t burdensome.

    By • Aug. 8, 2025
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    Davis Turner via Getty Images
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    ‘Bold and necessary effort’: Atlanta Public Schools stares down empty seats

    The district is considering everything from closing buildings and redistricting to consolidations and mergers amid a dip in student population.

    By • Aug. 7, 2025
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    Kara Arundel/K-12 Dive
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    How can colleges help solve the special educator shortage?

    Speakers at this week’s OSEP conference highlighted an Illinois teacher apprenticeship program and technical assistance for minority serving institutions.

    By • Aug. 6, 2025
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    Kara Arundel/K-12 Dive
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    Education Department eyes special education in school choice expansion

    Increasing choice models will better help meet student and family needs, Diana Diaz-Harrison said at the OSEP conference.

    By • Aug. 6, 2025
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    Retrieved from Houston Independent School District.
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    Houston ISD reports zero failing schools 2 years after takeover

    The improvements follow wholesale reforms in Texas' largest school district, though its state takeover will remain in place at least two more years.

    By • Aug. 5, 2025
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    Just_Super via Getty Images
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    Week In Review: AI, federal funding and ESEA waivers

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from guidance on “unlawful” DEI to how district leaders are navigating school closures.

    By • Aug. 4, 2025
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    LeoPatrizi via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Want a better society? Teach kids how to be exemplary citizens

    Students must be equipped to focus on making the world a better place, not just on their own self-interests, writes a Virginia independent school leader.

    By Autumn Adkins Graves • Aug. 1, 2025
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    Permission granted by Ben Coy/Horry County Schools Communications Department
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    Closing a school is never easy. Here’s how to communicate it with care.

    In one South Carolina district, replacing a building came with the added challenge of preserving a segregation-era school’s history.

    By • July 30, 2025
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    Anna Merod/K-12 Dive/K-12 Dive
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    This Indiana high school is relying on students to tell its story

    In Hamilton Southeastern High School’s media program, students are learning the art of crafting a compelling message.

    By • July 29, 2025
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    pong-photo9 via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    What will ‘big, beautiful’ school choice mean for public schools?

    A new federal private school choice program is adding to existing pressure from state-led programs amid shrinking enrollment and funding.

    By • July 29, 2025
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    Simon Carter Peter Crowther via Getty Images
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    Week In Review: Funding freezes, enrollment concerns and cyberthreats

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from lawsuits against the Trump administration to St. Louis’ proposed school cuts.

    By • July 28, 2025
  • A student is sitting at a desk in a classroom holding a cellphone.
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    monkeybusinessimages via Getty Images
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    More Americans support school cellphone bans

    The uptick comes as research increasingly points to harmful effects for children and as laws proliferate restricting cellphone use in classrooms.

    By • July 28, 2025
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    aluxum via Getty Images
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    Strong budgeting, revenue flexibility key to weathering K-12 financial storm, says Moody’s

    States are trying to offset the impact of reduced federal support, but their success is uncertain, according to a recent Moody’s Ratings report.

    By • July 25, 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 potential school closures in St. Louis to ransom demands on schools, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • July 25, 2025
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    Prostock-Studio via Getty Images
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    Tennessee launches direct admissions pilot with student aid component

    The initiative aims to ease high schoolers’ paths to college by providing financial aid information and automatic acceptance to participating institutions.

    By Natalie Schwartz • July 24, 2025