As reported by K-12 Dive, as per a November 4, 2025 vote, all Colorado public school students will continue to have access to free school meals after 58% of voters approved Proposition MM, which will raise state income taxes by $486 for those earning an annual income of $300,000 or…
On October 27, 2025, a federal judge ordered the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) to reinstate, for now, canceled federal grants for student mental health services due to “numerous irreparable harms flowing from the discontinuation decisions." In June 2025, 16 states sued the USDE in after the Trump administration in…
Abe Saffer, Federal Affairs 10/24/2025 Recent policy discussions from the administration and other policymakers have proposed transferring the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) from the Department of Education (ED) to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Here are eight reasons the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) believes…
As the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) changes the way things have been done, states and school districts have pushed back by filing lawsuits. Historically, the USDE and its funding recipients have usually collaborated to resolve civil rights complaints, but recently that has not been the case. As a result,…
As reported by K-12 Dive, the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) is urging the continuation of vaccine mandates in K-12 schools to help protect children from preventable illnesses. As per NASN, school vaccine requirements significantly reduce the risk of disease outbreaks in schools and the broader communities. In fact,…
In a September 3, 2025 news conference, state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo said Florida will aim to end all vaccine mandates, including those required for schoolchildren. Florida would thus become the first state to not require such vaccinations. Currently, the state requires a variety of immunizations for preschool and K-12…
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…
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,…
On August 7, 2025, Illinois became the first state to require school districts to provide universal mental health screenings for students when SB 1560 was passed into law. Under the law, which goes into effect for the 2027-28 school year, Illinois schools will receive access to free screening tools and…
