The key moments that shaped school response to the pandemic

Take a look back on the events that unfolded for educators after COVID-19 was declared a national emergency in March 2020. 

By Kara Arundel • March 27, 2025

E-rate’s future hangs in the balance as Supreme Court hears arguments in universal service case

At question is whether Congress and the FCC violated the Constitution by granting power to a private nonprofit company.

By Naaz Modan • March 26, 2025

Explore the 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

Schools earn a ‘D+’ for infrastructure

Many public school buildings are hitting their 50-year design life, requiring “comprehensive” upgrades and replacements to key facility systems.

By Naaz Modan • March 26, 2025

CEC 2025: What we learned at the gathering of special education professionals

Key takeaways from the Baltimore convention included strategies for breaking down silos and curbing restraint and seclusion practices.

By Kara Arundel • March 26, 2025

What do the massive Education Department layoffs look like? See for yourself.

In eight visuals, we examine what the Trump administration's moves could signal for education's near future.

By Naaz Modan , Jasmine Ye Han • March 25, 2025

How will Education Department cuts impact special education?

Opponents predict lapses in civil rights protections and IDEA accountability, but supporters are embracing the promise of local flexibility.

By Kara Arundel • March 25, 2025

OCR to Maine: Define sex by reproductive systems or lose funding

An Education Department draft agreement directs the state to adopt a definition that “there are only two sexes” that produce “egg” and “sperm” respectively.

By Naaz Modan • March 24, 2025

AFT, school districts sue to block Education Department dismantling

The plaintiffs allege the executive branch exceeded its constitutional authority and violated law after the president’s order to wind the agency down.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 24, 2025

District leaders predict staff reductions if Medicaid funding is cut

Medicaid funding in schools most commonly go toward salaries for staff and expenses for contracted health services, a survey reveals.

By Kara Arundel • March 24, 2025

Trump says special education oversight will move to HHS

"IDEA is an education law, not a healthcare law, and belongs at the Department of Education," says the Council for Exceptional Children’s executive director.

By Kara Arundel • March 21, 2025

House Democrats push for Education Department closure transparency

A proposed resolution seeks unredacted copies of all Trump administration documents that refer to the Education Department’s closure.

By Anna Merod • March 21, 2025

Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

From three Democrat leaders’ letter to the Education Department to new research on districts’ summer learning plans, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Anna Merod • March 21, 2025

10 Trump changes education leaders need to know about

Here’s a recap of Trump actions so far that affect K-12 professionals nationwide.

By K-12 Dive staff • March 21, 2025

Trump signs order closing Education Department to ‘maximum extent appropriate’

The directive comes on the heels of U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon's decision to gut half the agency as its "final mission.”

By Naaz Modan • March 20, 2025

Judge blocks cuts to Education Department teacher training grants

The agency must also reinstate canceled grants to the members of AACTE and two other educator preparation groups that sued.

By Anna Merod • Updated March 19, 2025

Wyoming’s anti-DEI law is ‘a tool for censorship,’ free speech group says

PEN America lambasted the Republican-led legislature for interfering in instruction and taking a “battering ram” to the state’s education system.

By Laura Spitalniak • March 19, 2025

What will NCES layoffs mean for the Nation’s Report Card?

The U.S. Department of Education claims mandated tests like NAEP won’t be impacted, but laid-off employees beg to differ.

By Naaz Modan • March 18, 2025

How Washington state is reducing restraint and seclusion in schools

The state is focusing on behavioral supports and addressing disparities within these practices, speakers at the Council for Exceptional Children convention said.

By Kara Arundel • March 18, 2025

Democrats demand details on Education Department layoffs

The cuts could hinder the agency’s ability to uphold its duties under key federal laws, according to the letter from three congressional leaders.

By Roger Riddell • Updated March 20, 2025

School choice, waning voter support weigh on public schools post-COVID

A new Moody’s report highlights a surge in private school choice programs alongside a drop in approval for school tax measures in several states.

By Roger Riddell • March 17, 2025

How challenges, experiences shape superintendents of color

Identity, allies and community engagement all play key roles in success and longevity for these education leaders.

By Roger Riddell • March 14, 2025

HVAC improvements shown to improve student outcomes

Metrics on absenteeism, suspension rates and math scores grew more positive as upgrades or replacements were made, a study finds.

By Robert Freedman • March 14, 2025

Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

From massive layoffs at the Education Department to new data on schools experiencing cyber incidents, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Anna Merod • March 14, 2025

Trump administration silent on Muslim students’ civil rights

While this Education Department has taken strong action on antisemitism, its directives to date have not mentioned Islamophobia.

By Naaz Modan • March 13, 2025

Teacher training grants temporarily reinstated in 8 states

Attorneys general from the affected states are suing the Education Department for cutting millions in funding for teacher pipeline programs.

By Anna Merod • March 13, 2025