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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In reversal, Education Department to reprocess all FAFSAs hit by tax error

The process will affect between 15% and 20% of previously submitted federal financial aid applications.

Book ban attempts soared 65% in 2023

Groups disputing book titles focused on public libraries, where the number of titles targeted rose by 92%, compared to 11% in schools.

Community, student input key to align CTE to workforce needs

Chambers of commerce and local business organizations are among crucial partners to identify growth areas and gain program support, one expert says.

3 curricular approaches to bring the solar eclipse down to Earth

From the sun’s impact on the eye to the particles and cosmic rays it sends to Earth, the rare astral event offers a variety of options for science lessons.

11% of teachers ‘very likely’ to look for a new job as stress mounts

A majority of surveyed educators say they are stressed and overwhelmed with their current roles, but 71% still plan to stay, Pew Research Center found.

How a solar event is eclipsing school plans

From closures to watch parties, schools in at least 13 states are altering their daily schedules for the once-in-a-generation phenomenon.

$5.3M Energy Department grant to fund Indianapolis vocational education campus

Ameresco and charter school operator Matchbook Learning are building a high school and career center powered by renewable energy.

School buses included in updated EPA emissions standards

The new rule aiming to reduce pollution comes as the agency has developed grant programs to help schools buy zero- and low-emission vehicles.

Only about half of K-2 students on track for reading

Mid-year DIBELS assessment data shows the pace of reading progress has slowed for young learners and that 3 in 10 are far behind.

Oklahoma Supreme Court weighs nation’s first religious public charter school

State justices anticipated that the landmark case questioning the constitutionality of St. Isidore would make it to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

330,000 FAFSAs must be reprocessed, Education Department says

A tax data issue affecting about 5% of submitted applications will be corrected starting in early April.

School-based Medicaid billing concerns delay proposed rule

Some worry children's school-based services can adversely affect outside services, but school administrators said there have been no examples of this.

Superintendent coalition aims to strengthen whole child supports

Representing a million students across 19 school districts, the inaugural cohort seeks to improve neighborhood-based "cradle-to-career" services.

As teacher use of AI detection grows, discipline guidance a mixed bag

Student discipline in response to plagiarism rose from 48% to 64% over the last school year, according to the Center for Democracy & Technology.

Federal coordinating council formed to support K-12 cybersecurity

The Education Department and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency created the council to coordinate federal, state, tribal and local efforts.