School Models

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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
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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
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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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    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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    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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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    Week In Review: Special education debates ramp up

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from enrollment trends to Colorado’s support for universal meals.

    By • Nov. 10, 2025
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    patpitchaya via Getty Images
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    Heightened AI use in special education brings elevated risks

    Nearly 60% of special education teachers reported using AI to develop an IEP or Section 504 plan during the 2024-25 school year, a CDT report finds.

    By • Nov. 4, 2025
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    monkeybusinessimages via Getty Images
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    Why middle school is ‘an ideal time’ to invest in CTE

    Exposing younger students to a wide variety of careers will help them begin to form occupational identities, one career and technical education expert says.

    By Ed Finkel • Oct. 29, 2025
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    Tomwang112 via Getty Images
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    A potential ‘fix’ for special education?

    A more effective system is needed to address learning challenges all students face, not just those receiving IDEA services, CRPE researchers say.

    By • Oct. 28, 2025
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    Scott Olson/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Educators push for virtual schooling in response to ICE raids

    Chicago joins New York and Los Angeles districts in exploring remote options to ensure students and parents are safe amid the federal immigration crackdown.

    By • Oct. 24, 2025
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    andresr via Getty Images
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    10 ways to strengthen family-school partnerships and support learning

    Being transparent about students' academic performance is one way schools can build trust and connections with parents, says nonprofit Learning Heroes.

    By • Oct. 24, 2025
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    Adam Gray/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    As temperatures rise, math performance drops

    The NWEA findings were especially true for students in high-poverty schools, where air conditioning may not be up to par.

    By • Oct. 23, 2025
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    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    How longevity led to achievement gains in Compton USD

    The Los Angeles-area district, under the direction of Darin Brawley, has seen three straight years of growth on the state’s Smarter Balanced assessment.

    By • Updated Oct. 23, 2025
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    How states can tackle absenteeism among worried immigrant families

    Affirming students' rights to attend school and creating a welcoming school climate can help increase attendance for this population, EdTrust said.

    By • Oct. 21, 2025
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    Week In Review: RIFs issued to further gut Education Department

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from fallout of the PowerSchool data breach to modest math gains for some grade levels.

    By • Oct. 20, 2025
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    Nearly 3 in 4 families lack after-school program access

    Low- and middle-income families are more likely to miss out, with cost the most commonly cited barrier.

    By • Oct. 16, 2025
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    Getty Images
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    Is your classroom culture conducive to cold-calling on students?

    Before engaging students not naturally inclined to speak up, educators should consider whether they’ve cultivated a warm environment, experts say.

    By Ed Finkel • Oct. 15, 2025
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    A side of life skills with your coffee? North Carolina school serves both

    The initiative for students with cognitive disabilities is strengthened by community partnerships, the principal of Charlotte’s Metro School says.

    By Ed Finkel • Oct. 15, 2025
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    Inside North Carolina’s direct admissions program

    A statewide initiative is offering high school students proactive admission to dozens of public and private colleges, following a pilot last year.

    By Danielle McLean • Oct. 13, 2025