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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    POP QUIZ

    Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

    From the Education Department’s latest budget proposal to a visa appointment pause’s impact on K-12, what did you learn from our recent stories?

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    Stock Photo via Getty Images
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    Teachers concerned about student literacy rates and want better support

    Teachers reported in a Nemours Children’s Health survey that only half of K-3 students on average enter the classroom reading at grade level.

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    Laurence Dutton via Getty Images
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    More teens lean toward alternative postsecondary options

    School counselors recognize stigma remains for these options but say it’s important that students understand available nondegree pathways.

    Updated June 5, 2025
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Literacy is McMahon’s top priority. Senators ask, where’s the money?

    The education secretary also answered questions about FY26 proposals for mental health, civil rights, college access and where this year's spending stands.

    Updated June 6, 2025
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    diane39 via Getty Images
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    Every state except one publishes chronic absentee data online

    Still, only 17 states break that data down by grade, making it difficult to detect when chronic absenteeism is elevated in a particular age group.

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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    Education Department eyes program cuts, consolidations in FY26 budget plan

    The Trump administration says the proposal would make federal spending more accountable and flexible for states. Critics say it'll set students back.

  • Houston Independent School District Superintendent Mike Miles sits at a table with younger students
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    Retrieved from Houston Independent School District.
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    Texas Education Agency extends Houston takeover by 2 years

    Despite significant performance gains, the state’s largest school district still has progress to make against the intervention’s exit criteria.

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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    Maryland turns to fired federal workers to solve teacher shortage

    The state will provide $1 million for 11 universities and colleges to create online pathways for former federal employees to earn a teaching license.

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    Stock Photo via Getty Images
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    Vetting AI tools for schools? Consider these 4 pieces of advice

    School district technology leaders advise being mindful of protections for student data and bias mitigation.

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    Retrieved from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
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    Texas advances bills for Bible, Ten Commandments in public schools

    A set of bills awaiting Gov. Greg Abbott's signature are among the latest in a wave of state legislation nationwide testing the separation of church and state.

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    AMAYRA via Getty Images
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    More states adopt laws defining ‘man’ and ‘woman,’ adding to Title IX divide

    Texas is set to become the 14th state to adopt such a law, with a bill passed last week awaiting Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature.

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    Kara Arundel/K-12 Dive
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    OCR opens race, disability discrimination probe into Wisconsin district

    From mascots to admissions, the Trump administration is scrutinizing alleged race-based policies and practices in school districts across the country.

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    Suebsiri via Getty Images
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    Harvard: Indoor air quality even more important in early childhood

    Research suggests operators of childcare facilities, schools and community centers should place more emphasis on improving indoor environments.

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    Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Trump administration moves to slash education civil rights efforts

    Equity Assistance Centers — created during desegregation to help schools address issues like bullying and prejudice — are among programs facing cuts.

    Updated May 30, 2025
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    FatCamera via Getty Images
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    Judge dismisses ‘reading wars’ lawsuit against famed literacy specialists

    The order cited the difficulty of determining educational malpractice in the case that challenged the lack of phonics in reading instruction.

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    Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Lawmakers, judge push back on Education Department’s gutting, citing inefficiency

    In a letter earlier this month, Democratic lawmakers highlighted funding delays in programs including Title I-A and the Rural Education Achievement Program.

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    Just_Super via Getty Images
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    Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

    How a Tennessee district is using AI to close literacy gaps

    The technology is helping Sumner County teachers provide more direct attention to students, says Director of Schools Scott Langford.

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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.

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    Stock Photo via Getty Images
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    Teens more acutely aware of social media’s impact on mental health

    Some 48% of U.S. teens surveyed told Pew Research Center that social media had a mostly negative effect on their peers — up 16 points from 2022. 

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    FangXiaNuo via Getty Images
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    Building student-teacher connections can boost middle school success

    Encouraging open communication in the classroom and talking to students about what they need are crucial support strategies, one expert says.

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    SeventyFour via Getty Images
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    Cuts to Medicaid, SNAP could hinder student access to free school meals

    Under the House’s proposed cuts, schools could see fewer federal dollars go toward universal meal efforts like CEP and statewide programs.

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    Illustration: Cathryn Virginia for Industry Dive

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    STAFFED UP

    Is federal support waning for registered teacher apprenticeships?

    Advocates question the Trump administration’s workforce priorities amid the Labor Department’s cancellation of a $12 million contract to accelerate the model.

    Updated May 30, 2025
  • One person is standing behind a podium with a sign that reads "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." A handful of other people are standing around and behind the person and they are in a room with wood paneling.
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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    Private school choice opponents say tax plan harms public schools

    The proposed Educational Choice for Children Act would pay a 100% tax credit to people who donate toward public, private and religious school expenses.

  • Students gather to protest outside the U.S. Department of Education headquarters. One student is in the center and has a megaphone.
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    ‘A shell of itself’: Federal judge pauses efforts to wind down Education Department

    Public school supporters praise the ruling, while the agency promises to immediately challenge the preliminary injunction.

  • 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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    Oklahoma religious charter remains blocked in SCOTUS split

    The deadlock upholds a state supreme court ruling that the virtual charter’s creation would violate Oklahoma's constitution and the First Amendment.

    Updated May 22, 2025