The Latest
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POP QUIZ
Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news
From school leaders’ views on academic recovery to students’ use of AI in their writing, what did you learn from our recent stories?
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EEOC finalizes pregnancy accommodation rule
The much anticipated regulation includes abortion under the list of related medical conditions covered by the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.
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We want to hear about your school district’s rising leaders
Tell us about the innovative leaders in your schools for our fourth annual spotlight on assistant principals and district administrators.
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92% of school leaders concerned about academic recovery, NCES survey says
Though some experts predicted a shift from state-mandated summative exams post-pandemic, about two-thirds of administrators still back the approach.
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Top officials again push back on ransomware payment ban
Among public and private K-12 institutions worldwide, 47% hit by a ransomware attack have ended up paying to recover stolen data.
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Opinion
How a New Jersey charter is prioritizing literacy to close opportunity gaps
A New Jersey charter school leader writes that declines in reading and writing stand to have the greatest impact on historically marginalized populations.
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Can high school data science courses expand pathways in STEM?
STEM advocates want more opportunities for the subject in high school but caution that better-defined standards and curriculum are needed.
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FAFSA submissions from high school seniors are down 27.1%
Concerns about possible enrollment declines are growing amid the fraught rollout of the new federal student aid form.
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BY THE NUMBERS
How much are students using AI in their writing?
In the year since Turnitin launched its AI writing detection tool, the company found students have consistently used the tech in classwork.
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Florida law on transgender employees’ pronoun use hits roadblock
Under the law, teachers may lose their teaching licenses in addition to their jobs if they use pronouns different from those assigned at birth.
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23% of teachers experienced a gun-related school lockdown in 2022-23
Some 69% of educators say addressing mental health would be a “very effective” prevention strategy, a Pew Research Center survey found.
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Tutor.com’s ownership by Chinese firm raises student data privacy concerns
Some officials are scrutinizing the online tutoring service’s ability to safeguard student data, but Tutor.com says there’s no threat to privacy.
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School librarians targeted in new wave of censorship legislation
Proposed policy changes include removing obscenity law exemptions. The American Library Association warns such moves are driving out librarians.
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Wisconsin adds Hmong and Asian American history to curriculum requirements
At least seven other states mandate Asian American studies, and a dozen states have academic standards for the subject.
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‘Crisis of credibility’: FAFSA rollout panned during congressional hearing
One financial aid expert said trust is eroding in data from the U.S. Department of Education as issues continue to plague the new form’s debut.
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How 2 Tennessee school districts are approaching AI policies
Administrators share how they’re preparing for a new state law that requires all Tennessee K-12 public schools to adopt an AI use policy by fall.
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Opinion
Allowing space to discuss tough topics like gender strengthens students’ sense of self
A Vermont program director writes that students must be equipped with tools to talk about their sense of self and their feelings on roles, rules and hierarchies.
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Democratic-leaning states move to curb book bans
“Freedom to Read” legislation under consideration or passed in several states would require libraries to present diverse points of view or risk losing funding.
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The top K-12 conferences to attend in 2024
Administrators have plenty of opportunities for sharing best practices and learning about issues impacting their schools at conferences and events.
Updated April 10, 2024 -
How can educators weave fun into math curriculum?
Games and other activities can make the subject more engaging, encourage collaboration and boost student self-esteem, one expert says.
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Bringing staff and student voices into the school design process
Education leaders and school architects say knowing what students and staff want in school construction and renovation is vital for planning.
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Parents of Oxford High School shooter sentenced to up to 15 years in prison
James and Jennifer Crumbley were each found guilty on four counts of involuntary manslaughter in separate trials.
Updated April 9, 2024 -
4-day school weeks hurt students’ reading, math achievement
A recent peer-reviewed study found that students in non-rural districts saw a greater negative impact on their academic performance than in rural districts.
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How will ESSER fiscal cliffs drive school district budget cuts?
Tight budgets will remain into the next school year, but may ease up beginning in the 2025-26 school year, said one education finance expert.
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Special education population rose 2% between 2020 and 2021
In total, 7.8 million children and young adults received specialized services under IDEA in 2021, according to the Education Department’s annual report.