Illinois Sen. Kimberly Lightford sponsored a new state law that eliminates zero-tolerance discipline policies in schools. Designed to reduce the number of days students are restricted from classrooms for certain offenses, the legislation requires schools to explore other disciplinary options, such as counseling and extracurricular programs, before a student can be suspended more than three […]

Districts and states that have done the best job graduating homeless students have now seen some of their practices enshrined in federal law as part of the Every Student Succeeds Act. "The things some districts are doing well are now instituted as expectations for all districts" says Barbara Duffield, director of policy and programs for […]

Twenty-three states have sued the federal government over a directive from the U.S. justice and education departments allowing transgender students to use bathroom facilities consistent with their gender identity. School leaders must also "provide transgender students equal access to educational programs and activities even in circumstances in which other students, parents or community members raise […]

From Newark to Los Angeles, districts building affordable homes for teachers hope to better retain and recruit staff as local housing costs rise and salaries remain stagnant. Many new housing developments are in California: The city of San Francisco announced plans in October to build 100 units for the city's educators. It may also offer […]