‘Education culture wars’ legislation heats up

Some 177 bills that would regulate school operations, climate or curriculum have been introduced nationwide this year.

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 24, 2023

How are districts preparing for the end of American Rescue Plan funds?

Superintendents anticipate reductions to specialist staffing, summer learning programs and staff compensation, according to a report from AASA.

By Kara Arundel • Aug. 23, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from K-12 Dive

K-12 Dive has gathered some a selection of our best coverage from 2024 so far as a one-stop resource on the trends to watch in the months ahead.

By K-12 Dive staff

Voters’ top K-12 concerns include pandemic learning recovery, scant funding

A new poll from the National Education Association shows culture wars are a low educational priority for a majority of likely voters.

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 23, 2023

Washington to launch special educator apprenticeship program

The U.S. Department of Labor awarded $3.5 million to the state to tackle its special education teacher shortage.

By Anna Merod • Aug. 22, 2023

House Republicans’ bill would freeze Education Department hiring

Lawmakers characterize it as a first step in returning education policy decisions to the local and state levels.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Aug. 21, 2023

Cyberattacks cost New Haven Public Schools over $6M

The Connecticut city has recovered $3.6 million after hackers compromised the email of the school district’s chief operating officer.

By Anna Merod • Aug. 18, 2023

Pop Quiz: Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

From emerging K-12 tech to a state’s efforts to tackle disproportionality in special education, what did you learn from our stories the week of Aug. 14?

By Anna Merod • Aug. 18, 2023

North Carolina restricts transgender student athletes in veto override

A Republican supermajority voted to prohibit transgender girls from competing on sports teams aligning with their gender identity.

By Laura Spitalniak • Aug. 18, 2023

Will new state definitions of “sex” exclude transgender students?

Four states have enacted laws this year limiting the definition of "sex" to "male" or "female," setting up potential Title IX disputes.

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 17, 2023

Medicaid ‘unwinding’ explained for families in school toolkit

Some 536,400 children have lost access to Medicaid and CHIP insurance since automatic renewals ended in April.

By Kara Arundel • Aug. 17, 2023

Tutoring firm settles claim alleging its recruiting algorithm screened out applicants over 60

EEOC said an applicant was immediately rejected when she used her real birth date, but received an interview when she reapplied using a more recent date.

By Kate Tornone • Aug. 16, 2023

Facial recognition risks ‘may outweigh the benefits’ for schools

There is little proof the technology prevents violent incidents in schools, according to the New York State Office of Information Technology Services.

By Anna Merod • Aug. 16, 2023

One year in, what has the White House tutoring initiative accomplished?

We spoke with the head of the partnership overseeing the initiative to find out how much progress has been made on recruiting 250,000 tutors and mentors.

By Anna Merod • Aug. 16, 2023

Federal proposal could reshape how districts accommodate pregnant employees

Under EEOC proposed rules, staff could be excused from performing one or more essential job functions for a potential total of nearly two years.

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 16, 2023

Schools using nonpunitive approaches to tackle chronic absenteeism

Compliance-driven attendance policies are being replaced by trauma-informed practices and family engagement activities.

By Kara Arundel • Aug. 15, 2023

Updating school nutrition standards could save 10,600 lives per year

Aligning school meals standards with national dietary guidelines would improve children’s health, a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found.

By Anna Merod • Aug. 15, 2023

Feds urge colleges to partner with schools to navigate SCOTUS race-conscious ruling

Education, Justice departments outline what colleges can still consider, offering guidance for school counselors as they help students through the application process.

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 14, 2023

Maryland awards $3M to combat racial disproportionality in special ed

The funds will target overidentification of students of color who are classified as having intellectual and emotional disabilities.

By Kara Arundel • Aug. 14, 2023

Montana scores rare federal testing waiver in favor of through-year assessment

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said the waiver will encourage more schools to participate in the field test while maintaining rigorous standards.

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 11, 2023

TIAA hit with class-action lawsuit over MOVEit data breach

The suit claims the teachers’ retirement fund did not properly handle sensitive information compromised in the far-reaching cyberattack.

By Anna Merod • Aug. 11, 2023

Pop Quiz: Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

From teacher retention initiatives to another state implementing universal school meals, what did you learn from our stories the week of August 7?

By Anna Merod • Aug. 11, 2023

Maryland parents seek religious opt-out from LGBTQ+ curriculum

In a state without a “Don’t Say Gay” law, Muslim and Christian parents are suing a large school district over their First and 14th amendment rights.

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 10, 2023

Massachusetts becomes 8th state to adopt universal school meals

Five states have enacted such policies this year — a sign that momentum is growing for free school breakfast and lunch for all students.

By Anna Merod • Aug. 10, 2023

Charter school funding averages 30% less than traditional public schools

Charter schools in major cities received, on average, $7,147 less per pupil during the 2019-20 school year, a new study finds.

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 9, 2023

More bathroom lawsuits are being ruled in favor of transgender students

The Supreme Court is expected to eventually take up the issue as lawsuits over access to restrooms and other communal facilities continue.

By Naaz Modan • Updated Jan. 17, 2024