Policy & Legal: Page 2

  • A teacher sits at a desk working on the computer in a classroom with a whiteboard in the background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Stock Photo via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Just 18% of teachers report using AI in the classroom

    Instructional use of the tech in learning remains fairly uncommon, with only an additional 15% of teachers saying they’ve tried to do so, a new study finds.

    By • April 24, 2024
  • An adult is holding hands with children carrying backpacks. Their backs are toward to the camera
    Image attribution tooltip
    champpixs via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Percentage of students with autism on the rise

    About 13% of students with disabilities participating in special education services in 2022-23 had autism. That’s an increase from 5% in 2008-09.

    By • April 24, 2024
  • Explore the Trendline➔
    Image attribution tooltip
    Michael Loccisano via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Trendline

    Equity in Education

    From early learning to high school, the pandemic impacted equity at all levels of K-12, from persistent and widening achievement gaps to uneven access to school meals.

    By K-12 Dive staff
  • Cafeteria worker helping elementary students select food in lunch line
    Image attribution tooltip
    Stock Photo via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    USDA issues final rule on updated school meal nutrition standards

    Under the new standards, schools will be required to limit added sugars and reduce sodium in breakfast and lunch menus by fall 2027.

    By • Updated April 24, 2024
  • A close-up of the creamy exterior of the Department of Labor building.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Caroline Colvin/K-12 Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    DOL will raise overtime salary threshold to $44K in July, $59K next year

    The final rule expands overtime pay eligibility to millions of U.S. workers, the department said.

    By Ryan Golden • April 23, 2024
  • A high school student waits in line holding a tray of food before being served at a high school cafeteria.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Stock Photo via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Universal school meal policies may help reduce childhood obesity

    A recent University of Washington study adds to a growing body of research that finds benefits for serving free meals to all students.

    By • April 23, 2024
  • Chair of the House education committee Bobby Scott.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Aaron P. Bernstein via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Scott requests hearing on segregation prior to Brown v. Board 70th anniversary

    The congressman says resistance to the landmark Supreme Court ruling has “slowed the efforts to eradicate decades of legal segregation.”

    By • April 23, 2024
  • A handful of young children are seated on the floor in a row. They are looking forward and some have their arms raised.
    Image attribution tooltip
    PeopleImages via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Preschool enrollment, state spending hit record highs

    Preschool participation grew 7% in 2022-23 year over year, with percentages of enrolled 3-and 4-year-olds at all-time highs.

    By • April 22, 2024
  • A photo illustration of a circle encompassing a question mark, pencil, and scantron test.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

    Image attribution tooltip
    POP QUIZ

    Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

    From school leaders’ views on academic recovery to students’ use of AI in their writing, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • April 19, 2024
  • Students hold signs outside the White House in support of new Title IX rules
    Image attribution tooltip
    Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Final Title IX rule enshrines protections for LGBTQI+ students

    The Education Department's long-awaited regulations also provide protections for pregnant students and employees.

    By • Updated April 19, 2024
  • A stack of books sits on a table in the foreground. In the background are rows of shelves of books in a room
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kenishirotie via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Number of book bans rose sharply in fall 2023

    PEN America says there were 4,349 bans in fall 2023, compared to 1,841 in spring 2023.

    By • April 18, 2024
  • The Eastern facade of the United States Capitol Building, with the House of the Representative's stair.
    Image attribution tooltip
    3000ad via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    House members, witnesses agree time is ripe to pass federal data privacy laws

    Proposals to improve children’s online data privacy were a big focus during a House subcommittee hearing on Wednesday.

    By • April 18, 2024
  • A bubble answer sheet is shown with some answers bubbled in. A pencil is near the sheet
    Image attribution tooltip
    number1411 via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    ACT partners with private equity firm, will transition to for-profit

    The corporate structure change won't affect the price of the ACT test or students' experiences with it, the organization said.

    By • April 17, 2024
  • U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission exterior
    Image attribution tooltip
    Caroline Colvin/K-12 Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    EEOC finalizes pregnancy accommodation rule

    The much anticipated regulation includes abortion under the list of related medical conditions covered by the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.

    By Ryan Golden • April 17, 2024
  • An empty elementary classroom which includes an interactive whiteboard at the side of teacher’s desk.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Stock Photo via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    What data from 4 states says about teacher shortages

    Recent figures illustrate how K-12 leaders are working from state to state to address a challenge with no one-size-fits-all solution.

    By • April 17, 2024
  • Ransomware virus has encrypted data. Attacker is offering key to unlock encrypted data for money.
    Image attribution tooltip
    vchal via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Top officials again push back on ransomware payment ban

    Among public and private K-12 institutions worldwide, 47% hit by a ransomware attack have ended up paying to recover stolen data.

    By Matt Kapko • April 16, 2024
  • An individual writing up a college or university application form with laptop nearby.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Tero Vesalainen via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    FAFSA submissions from high school seniors are down 27.1%

    Concerns about possible enrollment declines are growing amid the fraught rollout of the new federal student aid form.

    By Natalie Schwartz • April 16, 2024
  • LGBTQ flag waves during parade
    Image attribution tooltip
    Stock via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Florida law on transgender employees’ pronoun use hits roadblock

    Under the law, teachers may lose their teaching licenses in addition to their jobs if they use pronouns different from those assigned at birth.

    By • April 15, 2024
  • An aerial view of students using 8 different laptops side by side, while in school.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Stock Photo via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    BY THE NUMBERS

    How much are students using AI in their writing?

    In the year since Turnitin launched its AI writing detection tool, the company found students have consistently used the tech in classwork.

    By • April 15, 2024
  • A display of LGBTQ+ books on a library shelf
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    School librarians targeted in new wave of censorship legislation

    Proposed policy changes include removing obscenity law exemptions. The American Library Association warns such moves are driving out librarians.

    By • April 12, 2024
  • A photo illustration of a circle encompassing a question mark, pencil, and scantron test.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

    Image attribution tooltip
    POP QUIZ

    Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

    From the ESSER fiscal cliff’s impact on schools to student data privacy concerns, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • April 12, 2024
  • A row of blue lockers in an empty school hallway.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Stock Photo via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    23% of teachers experienced a gun-related school lockdown in 2022-23

    Some 69% of educators say addressing mental health would be a “very effective” prevention strategy, a Pew Research Center survey found.

    By • April 12, 2024
  • A young student watches a remote lesson on their computer while taking notes at their desk.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Stock Photo via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Tutor.com’s ownership by Chinese firm raises student data privacy concerns

    Some officials are scrutinizing the online tutoring service’s ability to safeguard student data, but Tutor.com says there’s no threat to privacy.

    By • April 11, 2024
  • A wide shot of the Education Department building with a sign that reads Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education building.
    Image attribution tooltip
    The image by U.S. Department of State (IIP Bureau) is licensed under CC BY 2.0
    Image attribution tooltip

    ‘Crisis of credibility’: FAFSA rollout panned during congressional hearing

    One financial aid expert said trust is eroding in data from the U.S. Department of Education as issues continue to plague the new form’s debut.

    By Natalie Schwartz • April 10, 2024
  • close up of various wooden colored pencils in beaker on desk in front of world map
    Image attribution tooltip
    golero via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Wisconsin adds Hmong and Asian American history to curriculum requirements

    At least seven other states mandate Asian American studies, and a dozen states have academic standards for the subject.

    By • April 10, 2024
  • Wes Moore speaks at a podium
    Image attribution tooltip
    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Democratic-leaning states move to curb book bans

    “Freedom to Read” legislation under consideration or passed in several states would require libraries to present diverse points of view or risk losing funding.

    By • April 10, 2024