The Latest

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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 young students’ reading progress to new state laws mandating district policies, what did you learn from our recent stories?

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    Retrieved from Montgomery County Public Schools.
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    Another K-12 admissions policy lawsuit appealed to the Supreme Court

    If accepted, a ruling could impact other cases challenging diversity efforts in major urban school systems, such as those in New York, Boston and Philadelphia.

  • This is a painting of George Washington and his men crossing the Delaware River during the Revolutionary War, created by Emanuel Leutze in 1851.
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    Retrieved from The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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    Connecting the dots between visual art and literacy skills

    Having students interpret visual art can strengthen analytical and interpretive skills for reading, veteran English educator Carol Jago says.

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    How can schools improve financial literacy?

    An American Bankers Association executive said more public-private partnerships and hands-on experiences are crucial.

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    Retrieved from American Civil Liberties Union on July 06, 2026
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    Supreme Court’s transgender athletics decision: What districts need to know

    Whether Title IX permits transgender students to play on sports teams aligning with their gender identity is among the gray areas that may be settled by future cases.

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    FatCamera via Getty Images
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    Reading progress has stalled for youngest learners, DIBELS tests show

    This is the first time since the 2020–21 school year that early reading readiness has failed to improve year over year, according to test-provider Amplify.

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    Douglas Rissing via Getty Images
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    Inside the Education Department’s interagency agreements

    The most recent moves outsource various special education and civil rights activities to the departments of Health and Human Services and Justice.

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    Getty Images
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    STUDY HALL

    Here’s what you need to know about key topics shaping K-12

    We’ve gathered past installments of our explainer series in one place to help you stay on top of the must-know information on key topics.

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    StockPlanets via Getty Images
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    More students with disabilities learning in general education classrooms

    A GAO report finds 42 states and the District of Columbia increased the share of students with disabilities in general education classes.

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    Fintan Trimble via Getty Images
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    Week In Review: A landmark Supreme Court ruling and a major testing company acquisition

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from “misconceptions” at the Education Department to Texas’ curriculum change.

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    St. Louis Public Schools could close up to a third of its schools

    The preliminary proposal comes as the Missouri school district has seen enrollment decline sharply by 58.5% in a 34-year period.

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    Getty Images
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    Where chatbots fit in the curriculum conversation

    Use of the AI-powered tools to boost students’ writing and studying skills comes with advantages and disadvantages.

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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    Education groups sue for access to nearly $2B in research funds

    A lawsuit claims the Education Department and the Office of Management and Budget are withholding the funds unlawfully.

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    ‘Professional degree’ list is expanded. But education still didn’t make the cut.

    The designation, which now extends to nursing and other programs, doubles the federal student loan cap to $200,000 for graduate degrees.

  • Protesters for and against transgender athletes competing in women's sports gather outside the Supreme Court on January 13, 2026 in Washington, DC.
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    Heather Diehl via Getty Images
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    Supreme Court says schools can separate athletics based on ‘biological sex’

    The ruling addresses a long controversial divide on how schools approach transgender student inclusion in athletics.

    Updated June 30, 2026
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    Tom Brenner via Getty Images
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    House passes Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act

    The bill would update the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act to apply to teens up to age 17. But critics say it leaves out a crucial enforcement measure.

  • A row of students sit next to each other at their desks as they individually complete a standardized test.
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    Getty Images
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    ETS acquires ACT, consolidating two testing giants

    The move comes as more colleges are going back to requiring standardized tests for admissions.

  • A Texas state flag hangs on a post in front of a face clock hanging in a classroom. The closeup photo shot is of the flag and clock.
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    Getty Images
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    Texas adds Bible stories in curriculum overhaul

    The standards, a major win for conservatives, have been met with criticism for blurring lines between church and state.

  • A rural North Carolina middle school complex is pictured in an aerial shot.
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    Retrieved from Hayesville Middle School on July 01, 2026
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    How a rural North Carolina middle school gets students thinking about careers

    Hayesville Middle School uses a blend of guest speakers, field trips and work values assessments to introduce students to future pathways.

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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    Ed Dept addresses ‘misconceptions’ about special education outsourcing

    While a top official says students will retain all their rights under federal law, some advocates and lawmakers call the transfer harmful and disruptive.

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    Enrollment declines could cost states $11.5B annually by 2030-31, analysis says

    As schools grapple with a challenging landscape, Bellwether and WestEd suggest state leaders adjust policies and consider tools needed for success.

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    Getty Images
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    Younger workers may be falling behind in critical thinking skills

    The three largest skill gaps in the younger workforce represent “the very skills most essential to humans in the AI era,” per a report from Cangrade.

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    Illustration: Cathryn Virginia for Industry Dive

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    STAFFED UP

    Can AI save teachers time and reduce burnout?

    Teacher burnout rates have remained high since COVID-19, but experts say artificial intelligence is still a promising solution if done right — and at scale.

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    Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images News via Getty Images
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    Supreme Court’s ‘forced outing’ decision begins to impact districts nationwide

    The emergency order has set off ripple effects in lower courts and triggered federal probes into a number of districts in recent months.

  • An aerial view of students using 8 different laptops side by side, while in school.
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    Getty Images
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    Week In Review: Screen time concerns drive policy moves

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from calls for Linda McMahon’s impeachment to data on states not meeting special education requirements.