Policy & Legal: Page 26


  • Two individuals are see participating in a strike. One holds a sign that says "We help students learn. Equitable wages now."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Mario Tama / Staff via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Rising inflation worsens the ‘teacher pay penalty’

    Teachers’ average weekly wages dropped $128 between 2021 and 2022, while other similarly educated professionals’ pay remained fairly stagnant.

    By Oct. 3, 2023
  • Two large wooden doors slightly opened. Within the opening is pictured a person looking into the room.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Nathan Howard via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Budget deal averts education funding nightmare

    The Committee for Education Funding had warned lawmakers about the dangers of a government shutdown.

    By Oct. 2, 2023
  • 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 2024 so far as a one-stop resource on the trends to watch in the months ahead.

    By K-12 Dive staff
  • A green apple sits on top of a fan spread of $100 bills, which sits on top of a red book.
    Image attribution tooltip
    AquaColor via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Many districts racing against the clock to spend ARP funds

    Numerous districts nationwide have just 10% or less of American Rescue Plan spending registered by their state and at least $500,000 left to spend.

    By Oct. 2, 2023
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Glen Cooper/Stringer via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Education Department calls for K-12 pathway programs, outreach to boost college access

    With race-conscious admissions barred by the Supreme Court, the department is calling for more resources to help marginalized students apply for college.

    By Oct. 2, 2023
  • 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 a USDA rule impacting school nutrition to updated digital divide data, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By Sept. 29, 2023
  • Tony Thurmond California Department of Education
    Image attribution tooltip
    The image by Gage Skidmore is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
    Image attribution tooltip

    California Gov. Newsom signs LGBTQ-inclusive measures

    How schools serve LGBTQ+ students is rapidly changing, and the new laws contribute to a stark contrast between liberal and conservative approaches.

    By Sept. 29, 2023
  • 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

    Are virtual educators an answer to teacher shortages?

    One live virtual teaching company, Elevate K-12, notes an uptick in district interest in its services amid severe, ongoing educator vacancies.

    By Sept. 29, 2023
  • Yellow caution tape is shown in the foreground. In the background is the facade of the U.S. Capitol Building.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Early ed, K-12 make plans for a government shutdown

    Immediate concerns center on Head Start, Impact Aid and school meals, advocates said. A prolonged shutdown would make situations worse.

    By Sept. 29, 2023
  • A group of Chromebooks lie open on the floor after being cleaned.
    Image attribution tooltip
    John Moore via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Ed tech budget relief: Google doubles down on longer Chromebook lifespans

    The devices, popular in 1:1 device rollouts in K-12, will be able to receive automatic updates for up to 10 years, the company announced.

    By Sept. 28, 2023
  • Three high school students look at their cell phones outside of a school building.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Stock Photo via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    97% of teens say they use their phones during the school day

    A Common Sense Media study found students were most likely to turn to social media, YouTube and gaming on their phones during the school day.

    By Sept. 27, 2023
  • A jar of cash sits next to a stack of books on a teacher's desk.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Stock Photo via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Washington state districts lacked transparent ARP plans

    An OIG audit finds the state didn't ensure timely submission of some grant applications or that districts publicly posted spending plans.

    By Sept. 27, 2023
  • This is a headshot of Sue Mariani, superintendent of Duquesne City School District in Pennsylvania.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Sue Mariani
    Image attribution tooltip
    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    How a Pennsylvania superintendent set out to restore her district’s secondary grades

    With middle grades returned, Sue Mariani aims to sustainably bring high school back to Duquesne City School District in a system under receivership.

    By Sept. 27, 2023
  • A students hands are shown holding a sandwich above a red school lunch tray.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Stock Photo via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    USDA final rule expands free meal access at high-poverty schools

    Another 3,000 school districts will be eligible for the Community Eligibility Provision under the new federal regulation.

    By Sept. 26, 2023
  • A stack of books sits on a desk alongside chalk, eraser, a pencil holder and backpack. A red apple sits on top of the stacked books.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Atstock Productions via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Significant flaws found in special ed written state complaint process

    A Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates report recommends more transparency and parental inclusion in this dispute resolution approach.

    By Updated Sept. 28, 2023
  • Three toddlers are pictured sitting on the ground, while one is standing. The toddler in the center is looking off to the side and is holding a plastic toy.
    Image attribution tooltip
    FatCamera via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    BY THE NUMBERS

    By The Numbers: Child care industry braces for potential funding cliff

    About 3.2 million children will lose access to child care after this week as American Rescue Plan funds run out, The Century Foundation said.

    By Sept. 25, 2023
  • A young child uses a laptop computer at home.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Stock Photo via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Digital divide persists as 22% of low-income households with children lack internet

    A Connected Nation report illuminates a notable gap in awareness and enrollment in the Affordable Connectivity Program.

    By Sept. 25, 2023
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Intel on March 21, 2022
    Image attribution tooltip

    K-12 decision-making is subject of lawsuits contesting power, politics

    State education boards and departments, subject to changing political winds, are facing lawsuits contesting their role and reach. 

    By Sept. 22, 2023
  • The U.S. Capitol building photographed at dusk from the front left.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Marc Dufresne via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Fentanyl education targeted in bipartisan bill

    Sponsors say too many children and teens still don’t understand how lethal synthetic opioids are — and schools can help.

    By Sept. 22, 2023
  • 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 a spending extension of American Rescue Plan funds to new ChatGPT guidance for teachers, what did you learn from our most recent stories?

    By Sept. 22, 2023
  • A display of LGBTQ+ books on a library shelf
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Book bans jump 33% in most recent school year

    Over 40% of all instances took place in Florida, followed by Texas, Missouri, Utah and Pennsylvania rounding out the top five states.

    By Sept. 21, 2023
  • Ransomware spelled out in a creative depiction.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Just_Super via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Education ransomware attacks cost over $53B in downtime over 5 years

    Comparitech researchers found 85 ransomware attacks impacted K-12 and higher ed by mid-September 2023.

    By Sept. 21, 2023
  • A closeup photo of a pair of hands. holding a stack of papers. In one hand is a red marker.
    Image attribution tooltip
    FG Trade via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Districts nationwide exploring, tweaking equitable grading policies

    Supporters say grading policy adjustments put more focus on mastery of content, but critics have expressed concerns about grade inflation.

    By Sept. 20, 2023
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Glen Cooper / Stringer via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Contextualizing grades could help diversify college admissions

    Researchers find that considering resources available to students when evaluating grades and test scores links strongly with college success.

    By Sept. 20, 2023
  • Hourglass projects a dollar sign as shadow against a black/grey background
    Image attribution tooltip
    LdF via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Education Dept issues details for ARP spending extension requests

    The guidance comes as states and school districts make final decisions on spending the last and largest allocation of COVID-19 relief money.

    By Sept. 20, 2023
  • Rows of chairs sit empty in an elementary school classroom.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Stock Photo via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    School closures on the table as districts navigate enrollment declines

    Districts including San Antonio, Salt Lake City and Rochester, New York are weighing school closures as resources and funding are stretched.

    By Sept. 20, 2023