School Models

  • A school building is seen against a blue sky. On the building are the words Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology 6560
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    Retrieved from Fairfax County Public Schools.
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    Education Department investigates Virginia school’s admissions policy for discrimination

    The federal review began after the state found "reasonable cause" that Fairfax County Public Schools violated the Virginia Human Rights Act and Title VI.

    By • May 27, 2025
  • A girl student and two boy students are shown appearing to be bored, tired and daydreaming in a classroom.
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    courtneyk via Getty Images
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    As attention spans shrink, 4 ways educators can keep students engaged

    Incorporating active learning techniques like check-in questions and breaks can help ground students amid distractions.

    By Briana Mendez-Padilla • May 21, 2025
  • Learning Loss Explore the Trendline➔
    Trendline

    Learning Loss

    Our latest K-12 Dive Trendline takes a closer look at how educators are addressing learning loss, as well as achievement trends and developments. 

    By K-12 Dive staff
  • Three middle school students walk in a hallway of a school building. They are looking at each other and carrying backpacks.
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    Fly View Productions via Getty Images
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    How can school leaders smooth student transitions to middle, high school?

    Consistent and constant information about what to expect is key to easing students’ uncertainty as they take their next academic step, experts say.

    By Briana Mendez-Padilla • May 21, 2025
  • A group of students and adults are standing outside and are holding posters with wording.
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    Permission granted by The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty
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    California agrees to include religious schools as special education placements

    Plaintiffs say the settlement is a "win for religious liberty," but public school advocates are concerned about the use of tax dollars for religious education.

    By • May 20, 2025
  • Two students and two adults stand near a table in a classroom and look at robotics with wheels
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    Retrieved from U.S. Department of Education.
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    Specialized charter schools need to ensure inclusive practices, report says

    While these schools can tailor instruction for specific disabilities, they must also provide inclusive opportunities, the Center for Learner Equity says.

    By • May 20, 2025
  • People are holding signs outside the U.S. Supreme Court building. The signs read "Free to learn"
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    Alex Wong via Getty Images
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    3 takeaways from House debate on charter schools

    Lawmakers discussed what makes a high-quality charter and the role federal legislation can play during a Wednesday subcommittee hearing.

    By • May 15, 2025
  • Four students huddle together outside a school building.
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    Permission granted by Nicole Ashton
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    No quick fix: How can schools make real change to overcome student underachievement?

    A 22-year-old program at the University of Virginia helps school districts find ways to improve student learning based on local circumstances.

    By • May 12, 2025
  • Three people are sitting in chairs on a stage. One person has a microphone
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    Permission granted by National Pathways Initiative
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    What’s needed to strengthen career and college pathway commitments?

    Leaders from education, business, government and politics say career exposure in K-12 and higher ed is needed to meet workplace demands.

    By • May 12, 2025
  • The side of a building with white stone and windows is shown. Letters on the building read: U.S. Department of Education
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    CTE grants for Native American and Hawaiian students retracted by Education Department

    The department said the nearly $21.6 million grant competitions do not "align with the objectives established by the Trump Administration.”

    By • May 8, 2025
  • A group of high school students studies over laptops in a class at school.
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    skynesher via Getty Images
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    Pencils down: AP Exams will mostly be delivered online this testing season

    College Board says the transition to a digital model offers a “more secure, streamlined and student-friendly testing experience.”

    By Briana Mendez-Padilla • May 2, 2025
  • A student is sitting at a desk in a classroom and looking over their shoulder at two other students who have their backs to the camera.
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    FatCamera via Getty Images
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    Will Trump’s school discipline order drive wider disparities or ‘restore common sense’?

    Some critics worry the directive will hurt marginalized students, but supporters say race-based practices hamper school safety.

    By • April 25, 2025
  • Smoke rises from the skyscrapers along Chicago's lakefront.
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    Kamil Krzaczynski via Getty Images
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    ELA proficiency rebounds for Chicago elementary school students

    Despite overall gains for younger students, socioeconomic disparities are still evident, a Kids First Chicago report finds.

    By Briana Mendez-Padilla • April 16, 2025
  • President Donald Trump stands next to Linda McMahon while holding the executive order in the White House.
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Trump changes put school districts at financial risk, Moody’s says

    States are unlikely to fill gaps left by the federal government cuts, leaving districts with a "limited menu of options,” per the sector forecast.

    By • April 8, 2025
  • A photo of a classroom shows an upclose image of a student desk with other desks out of focus.
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    mapo via Getty Images
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    Tell us about your school district’s rising leaders

    We want to hear about the leaders driving innovation in your schools for our fifth annual spotlight on assistant principals and district administrators.

    By • April 7, 2025
  • Children holding hands and walking in a school hallway
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    Lightfield Studios

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    Sponsored by ZeroEyes

    The ZeroEyes school safety fund: making gun violence prevention more accessible

    The ZeroEyes School Safety Fund aims to make gun violence prevention more accessible—nominate your school by May 9.

    April 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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    Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

    From rescinded funds to one state’s curriculum controversy, what did you learn from our recent stories?

    By • April 4, 2025
  • High school graduates tossing hats
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    dotshock / shutterstock.com

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    Sponsored by Defined Learning

    Bridging classrooms to careers: The 4 pillars of deeper learning that school leaders need now

    Explore four pillars for deeper learning and learn how to make deeper learning a reality at your school.

    March 31, 2025
  • An adult wearing a mask is standing in a school hallway looking down at several children who are also wearing masks,
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    Permission granted by Spring Branch ISD
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    Deep Dive

    5 years later: COVID’s impact lingers in school culture

    School leaders and education experts look back at how the pandemic shaped chronic absenteeism, ed tech use, student performance and parent trust.

    By , • March 27, 2025
  • A serious teenage girl stands before her class holding a model of the human brain. She is giving a presentation.
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    SDI Productions via Getty Images
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    How project-based learning can enhance student engagement

    Research suggests students are more engaged when subjects can be related to their interests or to real-world contexts.

    By Briana Mendez-Padilla • March 26, 2025
  • An empty hallway in a school shows lockers and a door to a classroom or cafeteria
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    urfinguss via Getty Images
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    Schools earn a ‘D+’ for infrastructure

    Many public school buildings are hitting their 50-year design life, requiring “comprehensive” upgrades and replacements to key facility systems.

    By • March 26, 2025
  • A crowd of people are standing in a lobby of a convention center. They are seen from an above angle.
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    Kara Arundel/K-12 Dive
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    CEC 2025: What we learned at the gathering of special education professionals

    Key takeaways from the Baltimore convention included strategies for breaking down silos and curbing restraint and seclusion practices.

    By • March 26, 2025
  • A young student and an adult sit on the floor in a classroom working with colorful blocks
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    FatCamera via Getty Images
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    District leaders predict staff reductions if Medicaid funding is cut

    Medicaid funding in schools most commonly go toward salaries for staff and expenses for contracted health services, a survey reveals.

    By • March 24, 2025
  • Manhattan skyline
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    Sean Pavone via Getty Images
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    High school students with autism gain college mentors in NYC program

    The Making Mentors program empowers college students with autism to provide representation for and build community with high school mentees.

    By Briana Mendez-Padilla • March 21, 2025
  • President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress on March 4, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    10 Trump changes education leaders need to know about

    Here’s a recap of Trump actions so far that affect K-12 professionals nationwide.

    By K-12 Dive staff • March 21, 2025
  • Two female students are seated looking at a computer as a male peer leans over the table to look at their work.
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    Drazen Zigic via Getty Images
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    How does gender impact teens’ academic experience?

    A newly released Pew Research survey finds teen girls and boys in the U.S. face different pressures at school but have similar postsecondary goals.

    By Briana Mendez-Padilla • March 20, 2025