The Latest

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    Illustration: Cathryn Virginia for Industry Dive

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    STAFFED UP

    What can be learned from Texas’ surge in uncertified teachers?

    The state is set to phase out uncertified teachers by 2029-30 after having one of the highest rates of underqualified educators in the nation.

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    The image by Another Believer is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    Education Department tells states to seek waivers from ESEA

    Some states have already requested flexibility through block grants, giving a glimpse into what more state autonomy might entail.

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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 the Trump administration’s release of frozen K-12 funds to the Education Department’s AI priorities, what did you learn from our recent stories?

  • The library in The Buckley School NYC's Walsh Building with students learning.
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    Retrieved from The Buckley School, NYC on July 30, 2025
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    Q&A

    The accidental facility manager: Robert Alemany

    With a background in teaching and business, the private school facilities manager relies on people skills to meet his challenges.

    Updated July 31, 2025
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    Daniel de la Hoz via Getty Images
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    How to bring joy into middle and high school classrooms

    Creating a sense of community and embracing opportunities for play can bolster students’ desire to learn.

  • Three young children read the same book side by side while laying on the ground.
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    Stock Photo via Getty Images
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    New York teachers want more preparation for science of reading

    As the state rolls out a literacy strategy grounded in the approach, a survey shows high interest among educators in expanding their skills.

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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.

  • A high school teacher stands to the right of a screen while presenting on a student public relations program.
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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.

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    FangXiaNuo via Getty Images
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    HHS: Fewer adolescents report depression, suicidal thoughts

    The percentage of adolescents who had a major depressive episode dropped from 20.8% in 2021 to 15.4% in 2024, an annual survey finds.

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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.

  • Immigration enforcement agents, including those from ICE, line the hallways outside immigration court in New York City
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    Spencer Platt/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Another lawsuit challenges ICE policy allowing raids at schools

    A January policy change by the Trump administration loosened restrictions on immigration enforcement in sensitive locations.

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    FatCamera via Getty Images
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    Trump administration pauses Head Start immigration restrictions

    The temporary stop, part of a court-approved agreement, also covers dual enrolment, adult education and CTE programs.

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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Unfrozen: White House releases remaining $5B for K-12 programs

    The hold on the funds had drawn widespread rebukes from educators, lawmakers, parents and organizations — along with two lawsuits.

  • 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.

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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.

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    DragonImages via Getty Images
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    Education Department issues AI priorities. But what if the agency closes?

    As the agency issues advice on using federal grants to advance school AI strategies, districts remain concerned about leadership on cybersecurity.

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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    Union seeks delay in Education Department RIFs

    AFGE Local 252 seeks to delay employees' Aug. 1 termination date, which they say is too soon under their bargaining agreement.

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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.

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    Courtesy of Becket Law
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    What the Supreme Court’s parental opt-out ruling means for schools

    The high court’s decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor left many questions for districts to answer when setting their policies. 

  • A young student wearing a backpack and holding books enters a classroom. The student is shown from behind.
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    AJ_Watt via Getty Images
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    Trump’s withholding of Head Start funds violated the law, watchdog says

    HHS disputes the GAO's conclusion, and a Head Start advocacy group says recent disbursements are comparable to last year.

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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.

  • Side view of mixed ethnicity school kids sitting on cushions and studying over books in a library at school against bookshelves in background.
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    Wavebreakmedia via Getty Images
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    Milwaukee educators and community leaders join forces to tackle low literacy

    The Milwaukee Reading Coalition will focus on training educators on how to best prepare students for reading success.

  • Three Black teachers sit at student desks in a school classroom during a professional development session.
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    The image by Allison Shelley/EDUimages is licensed under CC BY 4.0
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    Opinion

    Yes, it’s possible to see results from professional learning

    District leaders’ resources are limited, and they can't afford initiatives that fail to show measurable impact, writes Leading Educators’ Daniel Obregon.

  • A handful of students are facing a green chalkboard in a classroom. They have their hands raised ready to write on the chalkboard
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    Tomwang112 via Getty Images
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    Lawsuit adds pressure on Trump administration to release K-12 funds

    The Office of Management and Budget released after-school grants but is still reviewing the remaining funds to ensure alignment with Trump priorities.

  • A view of the St. Louis city skyline in Missouri.
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    Perry Spring via Getty Images
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    St. Louis Public Schools to propose closing over half of its 68 schools

    The large-scale closures would be for 2026-27 and are based on declining enrollment and uncertainty about the future for families displaced by a tornado.