Education Department doubles down on anti-DEI efforts

The agency said it would continue to target DEI programs “with or without” a policy letter that set its interpretation of Title VI but was blocked in court. 

By Naaz Modan • Feb. 4, 2026

Trump signs $79B education funding bill into law

The FY 26 funding measure provides specific guardrails for allocated grant money at the Education Department.

By Kara Arundel • Updated Feb. 3, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from K-12 Dive

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

By K-12 Dive staff

Uncertainty is the new normal in education. Here’s how leaders can protect classrooms.

Children’s education must not fall victim to the ebb and flow of politics, writes Dan Domenech, former AASA executive director.

By Dan Domenech • Feb. 3, 2026

Education Department paid laid-off OCR staff $38M while dismissing most complaints

A GAO report found the agency did not document the financial trade-offs associated with its RIFs and cannot prove the cuts improved services.

By Naaz Modan • Feb. 2, 2026

Week in Review: Teachers’ child care stresses and special ed solutions

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from student protests over violent immigration enforcement actions to a proposed IDEA disability category.

By Kara Arundel • Feb. 2, 2026

ICE activity on K-12 school grounds

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said immigration enforcement actions at schools should be "extremely rare." Here's where they’re happening.

By Naaz Modan , Jasmine Ye Han • Updated June 12, 2026

FAFSA completions for class of 2026 outpacing last year’s

The U.S. Department of Education points to an earlier form release date and streamlined user process for the increase in federal financial aid applications.

By Kara Arundel • Feb. 2, 2026

6 schools to be consolidated in Florida’s Broward County

Approval of the plan — estimated to save $9 million a year — came as district officials reported a 5% year-over-year enrollment decrease.

By Anna Merod • Jan. 30, 2026

The K-12 outlook for 2026: How new federal priorities and funding challenges will stretch schools

We’ve gathered our trends to watch over the coming year in one place to help you stay on top of the fast-evolving landscape.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 30, 2026

GAO: Barriers keep schools from fully embracing assistive technology

The federal government watchdog outlined how some districts use these tools to fit the individualized needs of students with disabilities.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 30, 2026

Test yourself on the past week’s K-12 news

From congressional debate on private school choice to another district proposal to close some of its schools, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Anna Merod • Jan. 30, 2026

Anti-ICE student walkouts are expected Friday. What are schools doing?

K-12 leaders are advised to speak with student organizers before any planned walkouts while keeping students safe and school settings uninterrupted.

By Anna Merod • Jan. 29, 2026

Philadelphia proposes closing 20 schools in $2.8B facilities plan

The move comes as the district has seen a slight increase in overall enrollment but ongoing drops in its traditional public schools.

By Anna Merod • Jan. 29, 2026

How the child care crisis could strain teacher retention

Rising costs and fewer federal resources for the child care industry present more professional obstacles for teachers who are parents of young children.

By Anna Merod • Jan. 29, 2026

Senators debate whether school choice harms or helps public schools

Supporters of private school choice tout opportunities to innovate, while critics worry about the financial stability of public schools.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 28, 2026

3 trends that will shape ed tech in 2026

School districts will need to be more critical of ed tech tools as vendors face more aggressive accountability demands this year, say K-12 tech experts. 

By Anna Merod • Jan. 28, 2026

Schools could see the script flipped on who files discrimination complaints

A lawsuit filed on behalf of White students over a Los Angeles integration plan could be the tip of the iceberg, education attorneys warn.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 28, 2026

Should dyslexia be its own IDEA category? These bipartisan bills say yes

Supporters say the change would improve dyslexia identification practices, but critics worry it could delay interventions and lead to misidentification.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 27, 2026

Private school choice could ‘undermine’ special education gains, COPAA says

A new report recommends that states inform parents of any education and civil rights that may be lost if they participate in a private school choice program.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 27, 2026

What you need to know about private school choice

State-led programs that use taxpayer funds for private school tuition have expanded rapidly. A new federal program will add even more options.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 26, 2026

Week In Review: Bipartisan agreement reached on Ed Dept funding plan for FY26

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from natural disaster best practices to policy and legal trends to watch this year.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 26, 2026

Test yourself on the past week’s K-12 news

From enrollment challenges to a bipartisan budget proposal, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 23, 2026

Natural disasters will happen. What to do before — and after — one strikes your school.

NWEA’s playbook suggests that schools develop a recovery plan and build relationships with community groups before any severe climate event occurs.

By Anna Merod • Jan. 23, 2026

For students with disabilities, the Office for Civil Rights is often the last line of defense

Efforts to shutter the Education Department threaten to sever lifelines that protect students furthest from privilege and opportunity, writes one expert.

By Jennifer Coco • Jan. 23, 2026

Education Department halts effort to implement controversial anti-DEI letter

The agency dropped its appeal of a court ruling against guidance aimed at ending race-based programs in schools.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 22, 2026