Desks and Bells
Students

New York City Public Schools to Deploy School Avoidance Liaisons in Every Building

New York City Public Schools will introduce liaisons in all school buildings to address school avoidance, a behavior linked to chronic absenteeism and emotional distress. The initiative follows a federal lawsuit alleging inadequate support for students with disabilities. The program aims to identify and address mental health barriers, provide professional development, and create individualized attendance plans.

K-12 Dive17 August 2026
New York City Public Schools to Deploy School Avoidance Liaisons in Every Building
Students

New York City Public Schools to Deploy School Avoidance Liaisons in Every Building

New York City Public Schools will introduce liaisons in all school buildings to address school avoidance, a behavior linked to chronic absenteeism and emotional distress. The initiative follows a federal lawsuit alleging inadequate support for students with disabilities. The program aims to identify and address mental health barriers, provide professional development, and create individualized attendance plans.

Transforming Science Labs: From Compliance to Critical Thinking
Students

Transforming Science Labs: From Compliance to Critical Thinking

Science educators advocate for shifting lab reports from dry, compliance-based exercises to engaging, inquiry-driven experiences that foster critical thinking and creativity. By encouraging students to develop their own procedures, analyze data, and justify conclusions, labs become more meaningful and memorable. Local partnerships and real-world applications further enhance student engagement and prepare them for STEM careers.

Miami-Dade Ends Free School Meals Due to Federal Cuts, Setting a Concerning Precedent
Students

Miami-Dade Ends Free School Meals Due to Federal Cuts, Setting a Concerning Precedent

Miami-Dade County Public Schools will end its district-wide free meal program this August due to federal cuts to safety net programs under the Trump administration. The move follows a decline in SNAP participation, forcing the district to rescind universal free meals for most schools. Over 173,000 students relied on the program last year, and families now face significant financial burdens to cover school meals.

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  1. Students

    Transforming Science Labs: From Compliance to Critical Thinking

    Science educators advocate for shifting lab reports from dry, compliance-based exercises to engaging, inquiry-driven experiences that foster critical thinking and creativity. By encouraging students to develop their own procedures, analyze data, and justify conclusions, labs become more meaningful and memorable. Local partnerships and real-world applications further enhance student engagement and prepare them for STEM careers.

  2. Students

    Miami-Dade Ends Free School Meals Due to Federal Cuts, Setting a Concerning Precedent

    Miami-Dade County Public Schools will end its district-wide free meal program this August due to federal cuts to safety net programs under the Trump administration. The move follows a decline in SNAP participation, forcing the district to rescind universal free meals for most schools. Over 173,000 students relied on the program last year, and families now face significant financial burdens to cover school meals.

  3. Students

    Revamping School Playgrounds to Become Urban Climate Oases

    A nonprofit organization is working to transform schoolyards across the United States into welcoming and sustainable spaces for both students and local communities.

  4. Students

    CISA Releases K-12 Cybersecurity Guidance Amid Rising Risks

    The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released a collection of free K-12 cybersecurity resources to help school leaders mitigate and respond to unique cyber risks.

  5. Policy

    Dyscalculia: A Common Yet Overlooked Learning Disability in Schools

    Dyscalculia, a learning disability affecting number and math processing, impacts as many students as dyslexia but receives far less attention in schools. A recent brief highlights the lack of identification systems, teacher training, and policy support, leaving many students undiagnosed and unsupported.

  6. Levels

    Systemic Discrimination Cases in Education: What's Next After Disparate Impact?

    The U.S. Department of Education has announced it will no longer pursue systemic race-based discrimination investigations under the disparate impact legal theory. This move may impact cases currently under investigation, potentially narrowing or dropping them. We explore what this means for education and the future of systemic discrimination cases.

  7. Policy

    Unions Sue Education Department Over 'Professional' Degree Rule

    A coalition of unions, including the American Federation of Teachers, has sued the U.S. Department of Education over its regulatory definition of a 'professional degree', which excludes education graduate programs.

  8. Districts

    Houston ISD Maintains B Rating for Second Year, Shows Progress Under State Control

    Houston Independent School District (HISD) has retained its B rating for the second consecutive year, reflecting steady improvement since the state of Texas took over in 2023. Wheatley High School, a key factor in the takeover, achieved an A rating for the first time. The district has seen a significant reduction in D and F-rated schools, though five schools still received failing grades. HISD’s New Education System (NES) schools, which implement comprehensive reforms, have shown strong results,

  9. Students

    Improvisation Techniques in English/Language Arts Classes Boost Student Participation and Creativity

    Educators are using improvisation techniques in English/language arts classes to encourage participation and creativity among students.

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