Due to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) final rule that took effect on October 26, 2023, approximately 3,000 more school districts will be eligible to serve free breakfasts and lunches to all students under an expansion of the Community Eligibility Provision. The final rule amends the Community Eligibility Provision’s…
On October 19, 2023, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Mitt Romney (R-UT) introduced legislation to prepare principals, superintendents, and other school leaders to facilitate high-quality early childhood education programs in school districts. The Creating Early Childhood Leaders Act would provide school leaders with the tools and training to support…
Filling special education staffing positions continues to be very difficult task, including teaching and nonteaching (classroom aide) jobs. Although numbers nationwide show a smaller percentage of U.S. public schools reported feeling understaffed compared to the start of last school year, 45% versus 53%. In a ddition to the needs in…
As reported by K-12 Dive, a new guide from the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) purports that a two-phase approach that relies on data schools already have available can help educators identify a diverse pipeline of gifted and talented students. The guide encourages districts eschew a referral-based system and use the…
According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, last school year’s influenza season was more severe for children and youth and also started earlier than most previous seasons. The report showed cases emerged in early October 2022 and peaked in late November and December. Rates of flu-related medical visits…
In a letter to the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) dated October 13, 2023, twelve education organizations requested that USDE announce a firm release date for the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The USDE has stated that the release of the revised form will occur this December, but the…
Proposed guidance released October 2, 2023 by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) that protects LGBTQ+ individuals from harassment and discrimination in the workplace could come into direct conflict with spreading state and local policies on pronoun use and facility access for transgender school employees. The EEOC guidance would consider intentional…
As reported by K-12 Dive, on October 19, 2023, by a 3-2 vote, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved an expansion of the E-rate program to support Wi-Fi on school transportation vehicles. The support will help schools to address inequities for students who lack internet access at home, particularly those who…
As the U.S. Supreme Court term began on October 2, 2023, there were no cases on the docket that directly involve pupil services. However, cases that have yet to reach the Court could have a profound impact on transgender issues in K-12 education. In fact conflicting ruling from the 7th…
K-12 college counseling, targeted outreach, and pathway programs for high school students can serve as strategies to encourage underserved students to apply to college in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s June decision overturning race-conscious admissions, according to a U.S. Department of Education report issued September 28th. The Supreme…
