As reported by K-12 Dive, on October 30, 2023 the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and White House issued a joint “Dear colleague” letter urging schools to protect students from substance abuse and drug poisonings by providing preventative education and preparing for opioid overdoses. In fact, overdose deaths among teens…
Citing an overwhelming number of comments to sift through, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) missed its October deadline to finalize two proposed sets of Title IX regulations (i.e., athletics and broader Title IX guidance). The original deadline was actually May 2023, and USDE has yet to announce a new…
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…
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…
Schools are grappling with a growing vaping problem. According to 2022 data from the FDA and CDC, over 14% of US middle and high school students vape. Vaping poses risks, both in terms of students health and their academics, and prevention requires a comprehensive, data-driven approach. As schools plan for fall…
On September 21, 2023 a bipartisan bill was introduced in the U.S. House that would encourage schools and their community partners to teach students about the dangers of synthetic opioids, including fentanyl. The Fentanyl Awareness for Children and Teens in Schools (FACTS) Act would also create a federal task force…
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), parents and advocates can use a number of dispute resolution options when they believe that a school is failing to serve students as required under federal law. One of those options is the written state complaint (WSC). According to the Council of…
