Changing sports guidelines leave districts mulling options

Navigating multiple sets of guidelines alongside virus transmission rates can be an arduous task as pressure grows from some parents for athletics to return.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Feb. 16, 2021

What's behind The 1619 Project controversy?

Lawmakers in five states have introduced legislation to limit funds for schools teaching curriculum based on the award-winning New York Times long-form American history project, or to prohibit its teaching all together.

By Naaz Modan • Feb. 12, 2021

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

Districts brace for pandemic-related special ed litigation

As the COVID-19 crisis persists, school districts nationwide are increasingly vulnerable to challenges under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

By Kara Arundel • Feb. 10, 2021

Proactive approaches help districts avoid COVID-19 special ed litigation

Despite challenges, districts have worked to communicate effectively with parents, document efforts and use early dispute resolution approaches throughout the pandemic.

By Kara Arundel • Feb. 10, 2021

IBM to award $3M in cybersecurity grants to 6 districts

The initiative will support services delivered to the districts via teams dispatched from the tech company's Service Corps Program.

By Roger Riddell • Feb. 5, 2021

Ed Dept: Schools can't exit identification statuses in 2020-21

The department also said there would be an exception for comprehensive support and improvement schools under certain conditions.

By Naaz Modan • Feb. 4, 2021

Senate confirms Cardona as next education secretary

Senators cited his dedication to public schools, experience as an English learner and advocate for marginalized students, and recognition of the urgency of reopening schools.

By Naaz Modan • Updated March 1, 2021

Attention to K-12 cybersecurity grows in nearly 100 bills introduced in 2020

With K-12 becoming a top target due to a combo of high-value data available and limited protection, a new report from CoSN examines legislative trends.

By Roger Riddell • Feb. 1, 2021

4 areas of dispute districts must tackle for schools to reopen

As teachers union tensions rise, collaborating on areas of agreement and contention can move discussions toward compromise, say school labor experts.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 27, 2021

DeVos balked at more state testing waivers. What will Biden's Ed Dept do?

K-12 Dive spoke with testing and policy experts about the likelihood education secretary nominee Miguel Cardona would issue waivers for 2020-21.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 26, 2021

Chicago returns to fully remote learning as union, district fail to reach deal

Differences remain on key demands, and disciplinary action against teachers could still result in a strike that would cancel classes districtwide.

By Roger Riddell • Updated Jan. 27, 2021

How is COVID-19 changing school discipline?

Long-standing school discipline practices were impacted by the pandemic. Here are some ways they have stayed the same and ways they are changing.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 22, 2021

What Biden's early executive orders mean for K-12

A handful of orders from President Joe Biden will impact districts nationwide in areas including LGBT rights, DACA and COVID-19 response.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 22, 2021

School enrollment decline threatens lasting funding damage for districts

During a Tuesday webinar, one K-12 finance expert laid out options for districts facing funding cuts to address learning loss and other challenges. 

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 20, 2021

Biden's gambit: Will schools be ready to reopen in 100 days?

The proposal's success depends on a number of key factors, including federal and local politics, COVID-19 vaccine distribution and parents, experts say.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 19, 2021

Prior to COVID-19, states cut $600B in ed funding since Great Recession

A pair of studies from the Education Law Center adds further context to the depth of public schools' enormous financial strains.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 15, 2021

Supporting states and schools must take priority over costly standardized testing

Learning Disabilities Association of America board members suggest ensuring the continuation of high-quality learning may require a testing pause.

By Monica McHale-Small, Bev Johns and Collin Diedrich • Jan. 8, 2021

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos resigns in wake of Capitol insurrection

A letter to President Donald Trump announcing her departure stated, "There is no mistaking the impact your rhetoric had on the situation, and it is the inflection point for me."

By Roger Riddell • Updated Jan. 8, 2021

Are Biden's early education goals too ambitious?

While there’s a lot of pent-up desire to expand pre-K access, challenges exist in making President-elect Joe Biden’s plans a reality.

By Kara Arundel • Jan. 6, 2021

COVID-19 pandemic highlights cracks in K-12 truancy laws

Texas is considered ahead of the curve on rethinking attendance laws, having decriminalized truancy in 2015.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Jan. 5, 2021

These 8 trends will impact schools in 2021

With the effects of multiple crises likely to linger at all levels for years to come, these key factors will influence the direction of schools in the coming year.

By Roger Riddell , Naaz Modan , Kara Arundel • Jan. 4, 2021

Survey: 60% of parents would allow their K-12 student to get COVID-19 vaccine

Democrats and parents from higher-income households are more likely to allow their child to get a vaccine when available, according to a survey from the National Parents Union.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Jan. 4, 2021

Biden nominates Connecticut schools chief Cardona as education secretary

Miguel A. Cardona was a teacher and administrator in his hometown for 20 years before rising to the role of commissioner of education.

By Kara Arundel • Updated Dec. 23, 2020

Is $54.3B in COVID-19 relief funding enough for K-12 schools?

The new federal funding for schools is greater than provided under the CARES Act, but Congress' refusal to provide more money to state and local governments has K-12 leaders concerned about education budget cuts. 

By Naaz Modan • Updated Dec. 22, 2020

CDC: Head Start is model for safe early ed programming amid COVID-19

CARES Act funding and federal flexibilities allowed centers to offer in-person learning, but not without challenges. "We are updating our plan every week," one director said.

By Kara Arundel • Dec. 21, 2020