Pre-K & Early Childhood
How would Head Start programs fare if federal standards are pared down?
Week In Review: Unions sue over ‘professional’ degrees
This week's top story: unions sue the Education Department over a 'professional degree' rule that caps federal loans for education graduate students at $100,000, while other professional degrees allow up to $200,000. Plus: Bellwether reports 200 million additional missed school days annually, UndauntedK12 finds extreme weather impacted 9 million students, CISA releases K-12 cybersecurity guides, special education complaints rise 46%, and the rescission of disparate impact may narrow investigations.
HHS proposes sweeping Head Start changes
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) unveiled a proposed rule on Thursday to significantly streamline federal regulatory requirements for the Head Start program, aiming to increase state and local autonomy. The reforms involve eliminating federal standards such as class size, staff-to-child ratios, and curriculum requirements, lowering the administrative cost cap from 15% to 5%, and mandating English-only instruction. Supporters argue this could reduce red tape and increase service capacity, but advocacy groups and Democratic lawmakers warn it may compromise child safety and service quality. The public can submit comments within 60 days after the rule is published in the Federal Register.
Week In Review: Former federal officials caution against Education Department transfers
At a special education legislative summit on July 20, multiple former U.S. Department of Education officials warned that the Trump administration's approach to shrinking the Department by transferring core responsibilities to other federal agencies raises concerns about special education funding, policy, accountability, and coordination with other K-12 services. This week's data: NWEA analysis shows that districts with persistently high absenteeism rates lag 50% behind in math academic recovery. In Congress, the Senate will consider two bills to block Department of Education outsourcing projects, and the House Education Committee advances four bills related to schools.
Week In Review: Education Department targets predators in schools
This week's education news: The Department of Education reiterates its ban on schools 'passing on sexual assaulters'; 13 former federal special education officials jointly oppose the transfer of special education management; the National Elementary School Principals Conference held in Orlando shares experiences in attendance incentives, digital health, and innovation; in policy, Pittsburgh school closures are accused of discriminating against Black students, Washington State proposes a FAFSA graduation requirement, and Maine explores rapid AI response mechanisms.
Week In Review: Chronic absenteeism continues to vex school systems
This weekly report covers several important developments: a GAO report shows an increase in the proportion of students with disabilities integrated into regular classrooms; a Johns Hopkins University study finds that only 13% of schools returned to pre-pandemic absenteeism levels in the 2024-25 school year; bipartisan governors call for local-led education solutions; four states enact new laws requiring AI usage policies; a federal bill to cut benefits may affect free school meal eligibility; the Department of Education proposes to rescind regulations for the Equity Assistance Centers; the Supreme Court has made or is pending rulings on transgender athletes and admissions policies.
Here’s what you need to know about key topics shaping K-12
K-12 Dive launched the Study Hall series in 2024, aiming to clarify key issues affecting schools for education leaders. The series offers one-stop information in an 'explainer' format, covering a wide range of topics from federal civil rights law to differences among various school models. This article compiles the published installments and opens a channel for reader suggestions.
Reading progress has stalled for youngest learners, DIBELS tests show
A report released by Amplify based on mCLASS DIBELS test data shows that at the end of the 2025-26 school year, reading readiness among students in grades K-2 has shown almost no improvement compared to the previous year, with national composite scores indicating that 66% of students are on track and 34% are below benchmark. This marks the first time since the 2020-21 school year that there has been no annual growth. The report recommends implementing a multi-tiered system of supports and strengthening teacher training in the science of reading.
Week In Review: A landmark Supreme Court ruling and a major testing company acquisition
This week's review focuses on the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark ruling regarding transgender students' participation in sports, as well as ETS's acquisition of ACT. Additionally, the Department of Education clarified misunderstandings about outsourcing special education services while facing a lawsuit over nearly $2 billion in withheld funds. In curriculum reform, Texas approved incorporating Bible stories into coursework, a middle school in North Carolina explored career-oriented education, and Stanford experts advised caution in advancing AI teaching applications.