One of the issues that comes to the forefront when dealing with a school shooting is the psychological impact it can have. The Psychological First Aid intervention provides guidance on responding to disaster, violence, or terrorism events. This version gives school administrators, educators, and staff practical assistance to meet immediate…
According to a notice published on August 22, 2025 in the Federal Register, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) is proposing to remove a requirement for states to collect and report on racial disparities in special education. The data collection, which is part of the annual state application under Part…
The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) said it plans to bring back more than 260 Office for Civil Rights staff that it cut as part of its March reduction in force, returning groups of employees to the civil rights enforcement arm in waves every two weeks September 8 through November…
Statewide universal school meal programs are experiencing financial strain as state legislatures struggle to keep up with the unexpected demand from students eating free meals. According to the Food Research & Action Center, nine states implement their own universal school meal programs. Those states are California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan,…
Statewide universal school meal programs are experiencing financial strain as state legislatures struggle to keep up with the unexpected demand from students eating free meals. According to the Food Research & Action Center, nine states implement their own universal school meal programs. Those states are California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan,…
The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) has quietly rescinded Obama-era guidance that called on states and school districts to ensure English learners “can participate meaningfully and equally” in school and “have equal access to a high-quality education and the opportunity to achieve their full academic potential.” In doing so, the…
Despite a shift in attitude away from public schools, 57th annual PDK International Poll released August 19, 20205 found that 66% of respondents were opposed or strongly opposed to the closure of the U.S. Department of Education (USDE). Only 22% said they support or strongly support shuttering the agency. Conversely,…
According to a 234-page report recently released by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), active shooter drills — while intended to make schools safer for students and staff — can cause mental, emotional and behavioral harm for the very populations they seek to protect. As a result,…
In June 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court (Court) ruled to restrict gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors. In that case, the Court’s decision said a person’s identification as “transgender” is distinct from their “biological sex.” It did not touch on whether discrimination against transgender people amounts to sex-based discrimination. However,…
A federal judge is standing by his June 2025 decision requiring the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) to restore its Office for Civil Rights (OCR) “to the status-quo” so that it can “carry out its statutory functions.” The order, which prevents the USDE from laying off OCR employees, comes despite…
