Policy & Legal: Page 2

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    alacatr via Getty Images
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    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
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    POP QUIZ

    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 • March 14, 2025
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    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
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    Stephanie Keith via Getty Images
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    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 • March 13, 2025
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    Apu Gomes via Getty Images
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    California wildfires disproportionately hurt the most vulnerable students

    A new report from EdTrust and UndauntedK12 details how devastating climate events can exacerbate gaps in students' academic performance.

    By • March 13, 2025
  • A view from above of an elementary classroom with rows of desks and students sitting at the desks with notebooks on the desks. An adult is standing in front of the desks helping a student.
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    skynesher via Getty Images
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    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 • March 13, 2025
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    Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Half of OCR eliminated after Trump Education Department layoffs

    The shuttering of seven civil rights enforcement offices means thousands of cases impacting schools in half the nation are up in the air.

    By • March 12, 2025
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    Techa Tungateja via Getty Images
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    After breach of school staff financial data, ransomware gang takes credit

    Carruth Compliance Consulting was targeted in a December 2024 data breach, which impacted over 110,000 school employees, according to Comparitech.

    By • March 12, 2025
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    Permission granted by AASA Conference Daily Online
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    Q&A // AASA '25

    AASA chief: Assessments need to reflect the world students live in now

    David Schuler shares his perspective on testing, misinformation and other challenges vexing school superintendents.

    By • March 12, 2025
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    Education Department announces massive layoffs, slashing nearly half its workforce

    The agency’s employee count will plummet from 4,133 when President Donald Trump was inaugurated to about 2,183.

    By • Updated March 11, 2025
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    Kara Arundel/K-12 Dive
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    Republican lawmakers tout proposal for national private school choice

    Supporters say students need options beyond "failing schools," but opponents say improving public schools should be the priority.

    By • March 11, 2025
  • Jeb Bush is standing the center of a handful of people who have Jeb! stickers on their clothes. A large American flag is on the wall behind the people.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Expand access to education to help South Carolina children learn

    Jeb Bush writes that thousands of students "could finally afford the education of their dreams" with the state's proposed Education Scholarship Trust Fund.

    By Jeb Bush • March 10, 2025
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    Courtesy of National Education Association
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    Trump’s Education Department changes could lead to systemic ‘chaos’

    Cuts to contracts, staff and civil rights probes might backfire, leading to less oversight and more mismanagement, education experts warn.

    By • March 10, 2025
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    Stock Photo via Getty Images
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    82% of K-12 schools recently experienced a cyber incident

    Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting school networks through phishing and social engineering, a cybersecurity nonprofit reported.

    By • March 10, 2025
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    Roger Riddell/K-12 Dive
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    AASA '25

    Misinformation is flooding school communities. Here are 3 strategies to combat it.

    Consistency, simplicity and thorough planning are essential to help stakeholders cut through the noise, panelists at AASA’s annual conference said.

    By • March 7, 2025
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Democratic AGs sue over cancellation of teacher grants

    The eight-state lawsuit says the Education Department’s elimination of $600 million in grants will contribute to the teacher shortage and harm students.

    By • March 7, 2025
  • A photo illustration of a circle encompassing a question mark, pencil, and scantron test.
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    POP QUIZ

    Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

    From a lawsuit against the Education Department to an analysis of the types of books being banned, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • March 7, 2025
  • President Donald Trump addresses reporters at the White House on March 6, 2025.
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    Alex Wong via Getty Images
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    ‘Stay of execution’: Where’s Trump’s order to shut down Education Department?

    While an executive order didn't come down as expected Thursday, the education community is bracing for more cuts to key department resources.

    By • March 6, 2025
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    FatCamera via Getty Images
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    OCR opens probe of D.C.’s special education services

    The investigation will look into how the city is meeting the needs of students with disabilities, according to a Wednesday announcement.

    By • March 6, 2025
  • Two children stand in the middle of the photo, holding signs that read "New Yorkers fight together" in English and in Spanish. They are standing outside on a street and adults are also present holding signs.
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    Stephanie Keith via Getty Images
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    State proposals threaten free public education for students lacking immigration status

    A bill in New Jersey takes direct aim at a 1982 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that says states can't deny school access based on a student’s immigration status.

    By • March 6, 2025
  • A student is sitting on the floor in a school hallway with their back against a row of blue lockers and head in hands.
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    izusek via Getty Images
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    LGBTQ+ youth face higher rates of mental health challenges in South, Midwest

    A regional breakdown shows LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to struggle with mental health care access, discrimination and other challenges in these areas.

    By • March 5, 2025
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    NEA, ACLU challenge Education Department’s DEI letter

    Despite the department's attempt to clarify the original directive, education and civil rights organizations are pushing forward with their lawsuits.

    By • March 5, 2025
  • A young child gets a shot from a medical professional while another adult holds the child in their lap.
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    Jan Sonnenmair via Getty Images
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    Rise in measles has schools on alert

    Researchers point to vaccine skepticism as one explanation for an increase in measles cases.

    By • March 5, 2025
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    Alfexe via Getty Images
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    Education Department sued over cuts to teacher training grants

    Three teacher preparation groups allege that the agency’s recent termination of three federal grant programs approved by Congress is unlawful.

    By • Updated March 19, 2025
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    SDI Productions via Getty Images
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    Education groups urge Congress to reinstate teacher workforce grants

    K-12 pipeline programs are already ending in some states due to the slashing of Education Department funds, says a letter from over 100 organizations.

    By • March 4, 2025
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    John M. Chase via Getty Images
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    Trump administration clarifies stance on DEI in schools

    The agency seemed to curb its hardline stance and said schools' diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are not automatically on the chopping block.

    By • March 3, 2025