Leadership


  • A person is seated at a table and they are looking to the side.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Week In Review: Education Department cuts move forward and principals convene in Seattle

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from changes to federal oversight to a set of delayed Energy Department rules.

    By July 21, 2025
  • Three people are sitting in chairs on a stage. One person has a microphone
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kara Arundel/K-12 Dive
    Image attribution tooltip
    CASE-CEC '25

    Special educators call for more school mental health supports

    Education Department data shows the ratio of psychologists to students is 1-to-1,065, much higher than the recommended 1-to-500.

    By July 16, 2025
  • High school students are dropped off for school and begin walking into the building. Explore the Trendline
    Image attribution tooltip
    Stock Photo via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from K-12 Dive

    K-12 Dive has gathered some a selection of our best coverage from 2025 so far as a one-stop resource on the trends to watch in the months ahead.

    By K-12 Dive staff
  • The outside of a building is seen. The building is concrete and has many windows
    Image attribution tooltip
    John M. Chase via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Keep special education with Education Department, former officials say

    Officials from Republican and Democratic administrations told Congress of concerns about moving the programs and consolidating their funding.

    By July 15, 2025
  • A drug-free and gun-free school zone sign at a school yard
    Image attribution tooltip
    alptraum via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    After 3-consecutive-year high, school shootings drop 23% in 2024-25

    School shootings were also down in the first half of 2025 overall when compared to the same period in 2024.

    By July 14, 2025
  • an exterior view of the US Capitol building
    Image attribution tooltip
    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Week in Review: School choice, reading gains and looming policy changes

    We’re rounding up last week’s news, from the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” to a pair of transgender athletics cases headed to the Supreme Court.

    By July 14, 2025
  • 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 “One Big, Beautiful Bill” to notable achievement gains in young students, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By July 11, 2025
  • an aerial photo of children coloring a large map of the world
    Image attribution tooltip
    FatCamera via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    ‘Immediate harm’: Education Department withholds $6.2B from schools

    Title funding for English learners, after-school programs and professional development are among the allocations unavailable to districts and states.

    By July 1, 2025
  • Two people are seated at a dias in a hearing room. They are facing the camera and looking at one person seated at a desk whose back is to the camera.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    How would Trump’s FY 26 budget plan reshape special education?

    The White House says its IDEA budget proposal would be less complex and more effective. Critics worry about cuts and reduced accountability.

    By June 30, 2025
  • This is a headshot of Alex Marrero, superintendent of Denver Public Schools in Colorado.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Denver Public Schools
    Image attribution tooltip
    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    For Denver superintendent, community is key in transforming schools

    Alex Marrero outlines an ambitious plan to improve schools facing state intervention — and he wants to ensure all stakeholders are heard.

    By June 27, 2025
  • 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

    Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

    From California’s lawsuit against the Justice Department to new research on children’s well-being, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By June 13, 2025
  • Elementary school students raise their hands as they sit at their desks in a classroom with their teacher asking a question in front of them.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Stock Photo via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Opinion

    How to turn hope into action for student success

    An Illinois superintendent shares how she uses a strategic system built on habits, optimism, passion and excellence.

    By Brandi Kelly • June 10, 2025
  • A student in a graduation cap and gown has their face to the camera and is hugging another person. Other graduates can be seen out of focus in the background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Mario Tama via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    BY THE NUMBERS

    Children’s well-being shows both progress and setbacks, Kids Count finds

    The annual Annie E. Casey Foundation report found higher graduation rates and lower childhood poverty. However, more teens are not in school or working.

    By June 9, 2025
  • 3 takeaways from OCR nominee’s Senate confirmation hearing

    Kimberly Richey, who served as acting head of the Office for Civil Rights in the first Trump administration, addressed questions on higher caseloads, Title IX and more.

    By June 5, 2025
  • Two people are standing in a room and shaking hands. Other people are seated in rows of seats behind them.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Literacy is McMahon’s top priority. Senators ask, where’s the money?

    The education secretary also answered questions about FY26 proposals for mental health, civil rights, college access and where this year's spending stands.

    By Updated June 6, 2025
  • Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Natural Language Processing Data
    Image attribution tooltip
    Just_Super via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    How a Tennessee district is using AI to close literacy gaps

    The technology is helping Sumner County teachers provide more direct attention to students, says Director of Schools Scott Langford.

    By May 28, 2025
  • Three middle school students walk in a hallway of a school building. They are looking at each other and carrying backpacks.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Fly View Productions via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    How can school leaders smooth student transitions to middle, high school?

    Consistent and constant information about what to expect is key to easing students’ uncertainty as they take their next academic step, experts say.

    By Briana Mendez-Padilla • May 21, 2025
  • People are holding signs outside the U.S. Supreme Court building. The signs read "Free to learn"
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alex Wong via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    3 takeaways from House debate on charter schools

    Lawmakers discussed what makes a high-quality charter and the role federal legislation can play during a Wednesday subcommittee hearing.

    By May 15, 2025
  • Four students huddle together outside a school building.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Nicole Ashton
    Image attribution tooltip

    No quick fix: How can schools make real change to overcome student underachievement?

    A 22-year-old program at the University of Virginia helps school districts find ways to improve student learning based on local circumstances.

    By May 12, 2025
  • Three people are sitting in chairs on a stage. One person has a microphone
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by National Pathways Initiative
    Image attribution tooltip

    What’s needed to strengthen career and college pathway commitments?

    Leaders from education, business, government and politics say career exposure in K-12 and higher ed is needed to meet workplace demands.

    By May 12, 2025
  • The women-led leadership team of New York's Westbury Union Free School District is pictured.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Westbury Union Free School District
    Image attribution tooltip
    Opinion

    The Women of Westbury: How a district diversified leadership and strengthened schools

    With women holding 93% of administrative roles, Superintendent Tahira DuPree Chase’s New York district is bucking trends and seeing impressive results.

    By Tahira DuPree Chase • May 2, 2025
  • An illustration of a student looking into an empty outline of a teacher in a classroom.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Illustration: Cathryn Virginia for Industry Dive

    Image attribution tooltip
    STAFFED UP

    What’s next for the registered teacher apprenticeship movement?

    To keep high-quality programs running, it's crucial to have sustainable financing and to amplify district and state voices.

    By April 30, 2025
  • Three young children read the same book side by side while laying on the ground.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Stock Photo via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Opinion

    States have the tools to improve literacy — now they need to use them

    Most states have forged the resources to make meaningful literacy progress and must now implement them, two experts write.

    By Bob Wise and Javaid Siddiqi • April 21, 2025
  • Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy is pictured standing at a podium.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Governors tout career and technical education in 2025 State of States

    An analysis of their talks finds funding, teacher recruitment and retention, and student achievement to be other common threads.

    By Briana Mendez-Padilla • April 17, 2025
  • A person is seated at a table and they are looking to the side.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Bills in Congress detail path to closing the Education Department

    More attention in Congress is being directed toward the federal agency’s future as Trump calls for its closure.

    By April 14, 2025
  • A person is sitting at a desk in a classroom looking at a laptop. On  the desk is a pile of laptops.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Jon Cherry via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    States sue to recover ESSER extended spending allowances

    Tutoring, after-school programming and facility improvements have already been canceled, and layoffs are likely due to the lost funding, says the lawsuit.

    By April 11, 2025