Test yourself on this year’s K-12 news

In an expanded version of our weekly feature, here's a chance to show what you learned from some of 2024's biggest stories.

By Anna Merod , Kara Arundel • Dec. 20, 2024

Can AI tutor bots help close literacy gaps?

While artificial intelligence tools show promise, experts advise that teachers become AI-literate to maximize benefits and avoid missteps.

By Briana Mendez-Padilla • Dec. 18, 2024

Explore the Trendline➔

School Safety and Security

Safety and security has been a growing concern for school districts, with shootings continuing to rise amid concerns over how to best prevent and respond to them.

By K-12 Dive staff

Minnesota schools must report cybersecurity incidents under new law

The information will be anonymized and shared with “appropriate organizations” to help officials understand how to provide support.

By Anna Merod • Dec. 12, 2024

What is E-rate and how does it benefit schools?

With the FCC program’s future in legal limbo, here’s what it means for schools and libraries that use the federal funds for affordable internet connectivity.

By Anna Merod • Dec. 6, 2024

What Trump’s pick for FCC chair could mean for E-rate expansion

As a commissioner, Brendan Carr dissented against the inclusion of school bus Wi-Fi and hotspots, but it’s unclear where he would lead the program next.

By Anna Merod • Dec. 6, 2024

Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

From new math performance data to the 20th anniversary of a federal law’s last reauthorization, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Anna Merod • Dec. 6, 2024

The K-12 Dive Awards for 2024

These leaders are achieving excellence through commitments to school culture and community, innovation, and wraparound services for students.

By Roger Riddell • Nov. 27, 2024

District of the Year: Ector County ISD

In the past five years, the Texas district’s investments in staffing and high dosage tutoring are paying off.

By Anna Merod • Nov. 27, 2024

Why E-rate’s future is now in the hands of the Supreme Court

The court is set to review the 5th Circuit’s decision striking down the funding mechanism for the FCC’s Universal Service Fund next year.

By Anna Merod • Nov. 27, 2024

Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

From Trump’s education secretary pick to a class-action lawsuit’s advancement against an ed tech platform, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Anna Merod • Nov. 22, 2024

How do civil rights laws apply to AI in schools?

A new resource from the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights outlines 21 examples of how the tech could contribute to discrimination.

By Anna Merod • Nov. 21, 2024

Moody’s rates education sector at ‘high’ cyber risk in 2024

The cybersecurity risk score for the education and nonprofit sectors has jumped from “moderate” to “high” over the past two years.

By Anna Merod • Nov. 19, 2024

IXL class-action suit advances amid student data harvesting claims

A group of parents alleges the ed tech provider collected and monetized data from millions of school-age children without parental consent.

By Anna Merod • Nov. 19, 2024

How school leaders can tap into the Education Department’s AI toolkit

The 74-page document offers implementation resources for K-12 leaders on student data privacy risks, rollout strategy and more.

By Anna Merod • Nov. 15, 2024

Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

From demand for a cybersecurity pilot to the latest stats on school book bans, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Roger Riddell • Nov. 15, 2024

8th graders’ average scores decline on computer and information literacy exam

Though U.S. students’ scores remained on par with the international average for computer and information literacy, they dropped for computational thinking.

By Anna Merod • Nov. 12, 2024

Demand for $200M FCC cybersecurity pilot far exceeds capacity

The agency said it received requests totaling $3.7 billion from school and library applicants nationwide in need of cybersecurity supports.

By Anna Merod • Nov. 11, 2024

Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

From K-12 issues on state ballots to the USDA’s plans to eliminate a financial barrier for low-income families, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Anna Merod • Nov. 8, 2024

Ransomware is a persistent and growing threat for schools nationwide. Here’s what you need to know.

In a five-part series, we highlight firsthand accounts as well as best practices to shore up cyber defenses.

By Kara Arundel • Nov. 7, 2024

Energy Department program helps school districts decarbonize

Benchmarking and retrofit implementation are among categories in which districts can apply for recognition in the Efficient and Healthy Schools Program.

By Joe Burns • Nov. 1, 2024

Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

From highly anticipated U.S. Education Department guidance to an increase in K-12 ransomware attacks, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Anna Merod • Nov. 1, 2024

4 key strategies for school ransomware prevention and response

Using state and federal supports and embracing a people-first approach are among the most crucial best practices, school district tech leaders say.

By Roger Riddell , Shaun Lucas • Nov. 1, 2024

K-12 cyber incident reporting is coming. Here’s what we know.

Questions — like what CISA will do with districts' information — remain for K-12 cybersecurity experts as the federal agency finalizes reporting requirements.

By Anna Merod , Shaun Lucas • Oct. 31, 2024

How to navigate the rising cost of cyber insurance for schools

As districts face increased premiums for covering ransomware threats, cybersecurity experts suggest leaders read the fine print of insurance policies.

By Anna Merod , Shaun Lucas • Oct. 30, 2024

Most applicants consider E-rate vital, but want cybersecurity supports, too

New survey findings come amid uncertainty for the popular program after a court struck down a funding mechanism for the Universal Service Fund.

By Anna Merod • Oct. 30, 2024