Little Rock School District approves $250K payment in ransomware settlement

Federal agencies including the FBI discourage paying ransoms in such cyberattacks as there is no guarantee victims’ files will be recovered.

By Anna Merod • Dec. 16, 2022

With universal school meals gone, districts and families take on more debt

Some districts are looking to donors to alleviate meal debt funds before they have to rely on other school funds to pay off balances.

By Anna Merod • Dec. 16, 2022

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

FCC seeks public comment on its role in school cybersecurity

The agency is asking for feedback on how its E-rate program could expand to cover cybersecurity improvements, such as advanced firewalls.

By Anna Merod • Dec. 15, 2022

California considers mandating naloxone in schools to prevent opioid deaths

The proposal follows the state superintendent’s warning that fentanyl is the fastest growing cause of death for young people in the state.

By Kara Arundel • Dec. 13, 2022

Will the FCC reevaluate E-rate’s role in school cybersecurity protections?

In a letter to the agency, Rep. Doris Matsui said the FCC should revisit its “abilities and limitations” to combat cybersecurity threats in schools. 

By Anna Merod • Dec. 13, 2022

Completion higher for alternative teacher prep programs affiliated with higher ed

In 2019-20, 34% of enrollees completed university-based programs compared to 14% for programs not affiliated with colleges, a new analysis shows.

By Anna Merod • Dec. 12, 2022

Oklahoma attorney general walks back predecessor’s religious charter approval

Attorney General Gentner Drummond wrote that he feared the prior opinion would be used as a basis for taxpayer-funded religious schools.

By Naaz Modan • Updated Feb. 27, 2023

Ed Dept updates ESSER FAQ as spending reaches halfway mark

The document provides more details on allowable expenditures but no additions on spending deadline extensions for the final two aid allocations.

By Kara Arundel • Dec. 9, 2022

Onlookers say politics ‘undermined’ Ed Department’s family engagement council

After the National Parents and Families Engagement Council disbanded, some represented groups blame politics for its demise —but they’re not giving up.

By Anna Merod • Dec. 8, 2022

OCR: California district had inappropriate oversight of restraint, seclusion of students at private schools

Davis Joint Unified School District will change policies, procedures and training for the use of restraint and seclusion in response to the investigation.

By Kara Arundel • Dec. 8, 2022

What would expanded child tax credits mean for K-12?

The American Rescue Plan’s expanded child tax credit expired in 2021, but year-end spending deal negotiations could revive the measure.

By Naaz Modan • Dec. 8, 2022

States failing to provide equitable funding for underserved students

States and localities are underfunding districts with the most students of color, low-income students and English learners, The Education Trust finds.

By Kara Arundel • Dec. 8, 2022

Ed Department disbands National Parents and Families Engagement Council

The council’s dissolution comes just months after a lawsuit filed by conservative groups alleged the effort lacked “balanced” perspectives.

By Anna Merod • Dec. 6, 2022

Participation in USDA school meal programs drops, federal survey shows

Schools cite challenges in convincing parents to submit applications for free and reduced-price meals, staffing shortages, and increased program costs. 

By Naaz Modan • Dec. 6, 2022

The biggest K-12 stories of 2022 — so far

These topics resonated the most with school and district leaders in the first 11 months of 2022.

By K-12 Dive Staff • Dec. 5, 2022

Research: Teacher shortages as much a local issue as a national phenomenon

A Tennessee-based study reveals low statewide educator vacancy rates can exist even while some schools have a high number of open positions.

By Anna Merod • Dec. 2, 2022

Despite charged K-12 election debates, state boards didn’t flip parties

A post-election analysis by the National Association of State Boards of Education shows more than half of the open seats were filled by incumbents.

By Naaz Modan • Dec. 2, 2022

Uvalde shooting survivors file $27B class-action lawsuit

The lawsuit seeks compensation for damages tied to trauma from the alleged negligence of the district, law enforcement and a gun manufacturer.

By Anna Merod • Dec. 1, 2022

OCR: Virginia district violated rights of students with disabilities

After a two-year investigation, Fairfax schools agrees to provide additional special education services to those who missed out during remote learning.

By Kara Arundel • Dec. 1, 2022

Higher youth suicide rates linked to mental health staff shortages

Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association comes as federal and state efforts look to fund more counselors in schools.

By Anna Merod • Nov. 30, 2022

Texas districts face Title IX complaints after approving anti-LGBTQ policies

Two districts recently adopted policies limiting transgender students’ access to bathrooms and locker rooms or inclusive materials in libraries.

By Naaz Modan • Nov. 29, 2022

Applications open for $84.5M in Energy Dept school infrastructure grants

Rural and high-poverty districts can apply for the first round of a $500 million program created through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021.

By Anna Merod • Nov. 29, 2022

Nearly half of voters say trust in public education declined since pandemic

A Hunt Institute survey of 1,320 voters also shows 68% opposed to efforts to ban books and censor curriculum.

By Anna Merod • Nov. 28, 2022

New Jersey governor signs K-12 information literacy curriculum requirement

The historic bipartisan bill will require the New Jersey Board of Education to develop information literacy curriculum standards for public schools.

By Anna Merod • Updated Jan. 9, 2023

SCOTUS declines to hear Title IX liability case

Some education groups hoped the U.S. Supreme Court would review the case and provide clarity on an issue that has divided lower courts.

By Kara Arundel • Nov. 23, 2022