Policy & Legal
Test yourself on the past week’s K-12 news
What important progress has been made in the K-12 education sector this week? Take our five-question quiz to test your awareness and share your results on social media.
K-12 Dive Trendline on Top 5 stories from K-12 Dive
Approximately 1,400 school districts in the United States have sued social media companies, alleging that they harm students' mental health and increase school burdens. Some districts have begun to respond through extracurricular activities and anticipate that lawsuit compensation will support these programs. This article reviews K-12 Dive's related hot reports.
Districts buckle on LGBTQ+ policies under Trump administration pressure
Under sustained pressure from the Trump administration, several school districts have altered LGBTQ+ policies, including gender support plans and parental access to records. Topeka Public Schools reached a resolution agreement, while other districts face lawsuits or are fighting back in court.
USDA urged to report how SNAP cuts impact free school meals
Illinois Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi wrote to the USDA and the Food and Nutrition Service on Thursday, requesting state-level assessments of how cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program under the One Big Beautiful Bill affect students' access to free school meals nationwide. The letter notes a 16% decline in SNAP enrollment in Illinois and a reduction of 47 schools and 15 school districts participating in the Community Eligibility Provision. Krishnamoorthi also requested the USDA respond to multiple specific assessment requests by September 10.
3 things districts need to know about the $17B Meta social media settlement
Meta announced a historic $17 billion social media lawsuit settlement with 52 states and territories on August 26, aimed at reducing harm to teenagers' mental health. The settlement will bring impacts such as platform feature changes, fund allocation, and ongoing litigation. This article outlines three key information points for school districts.
Trans, nonbinary students miss school over safety concerns, report says
A new report from LGBTQ+ student advocacy group Glisten and The Trevor Project finds that nearly one-third of transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse students miss school due to a lack of safety on campus. Based on two national surveys, the report reveals widespread discriminatory school policies while highlighting the positive impact of supportive educators and inclusive environments on students' academic performance and mental health.
Pearson Education Settles Claims Over Inaccessible Training and Benefits Platforms for Visually Impaired Employees
Pearson Education will pay $150,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC alleged that the company required visually impaired employees to use benefits, leave, and training platforms that were not fully accessible, violating the Americans with Disabilities Act. Under the consent decree, Pearson will hire a web accessibility consultant and notify third-party vendors to make platform improvements.
U.S. Department of Education: School Mental Health Screenings and Surveys Require Parental Consent
In a letter to school districts, the U.S. Department of Education stated that mental health screenings and student surveys on sensitive topics such as sexual behavior, even if presented as "voluntary," will be considered as "required" by the school district, and parents must be notified in advance and provide written consent. The letter also requires that even if a school district does not classify a student's "gender plan" as an "educational record," it must still be made accessible to parents.
School-Community Coalitions Step Up Efforts to Shield Campuses from ICE Enforcement
With students returning for the 2026-27 school year, concerns over immigration enforcement near schools persist. At least 17 ICE incidents on school properties were documented in 2025-26. In response, states like Massachusetts have enacted protective laws, while grassroots groups in Los Angeles and Baltimore are organizing patrols and expanding safe passage programs. Lawsuits challenging federal policy continue through the courts.
Kindergarten Vaccine Exemptions Rise for Third Consecutive Year, CDC Data Shows
New CDC data reveals that 4.2% of U.S. kindergartners had vaccine exemptions in the 2025-26 school year, up from 3.6% the prior year. Coverage declined for all reported vaccines, and the Trump administration's recent executive order aims to reshape childhood vaccine recommendations.