A coalition of more than 850 organizations, led by the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates and the Council of Administrators of Special Education, has united to support the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504. The coalition emphasizes the importance of the Education Department's role in overseeing these laws. It highlights the need for full funding and staffing to ensure equitable education for students with disabilities. The coalition's statement responds to the Trump administration's consideration of transferring special education management to the Department of Health and Human Services, a move that advocates argue would dilute the focus on students as learners.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, marking a significant milestone in ensuring free and appropriate education for children with disabilities. However, Laura Cassidy, founder of Louisiana Key Academy schools, says that the law requires modernization to address current challenges such as the special education teacher shortage, outdated terminology, and the need for better recognition of dyslexia. Suggestions for improvement include redefining "least restrictive environment" to support parental choice and reducing compliance burdens for educators.

As winter break approaches, classrooms often become chaotic with students' excitement. Donna Paul shares seven strategies to create a calm environment during this period, including starting the day quietly, incorporating quick breathing exercises such as Snowflake Breath and Hot Cocoa Breath, and allowing micro-movement between lessons.

Michael Gaskell, an elementary-school principal in New Jersey, emphasizes the importance of praise in school leadership, contrasting it with a compliance-driven approach that stifles innovation and trust. Gaskell writes that recognition is a cost-effective way to motivate staff and foster a positive school culture, while a focus on compliance leads to a "minimum effort" mindset and hampers student growth.

California's early literacy screening tool, Multitudes, was developed by the University of California, San Francisco Dyslexia Center to be culturally responsive, particularly for English language learners. The tool, tested with over 15,000 children, does not switch languages midway; instead, it assesses abilities in both English and Spanish. The free tool is part of a broader state initiative that includes funding for reading specialists.

Being a people-pleaser at work can hinder your career advancement as you prioritize others' needs over your own goals, writes Beatriz Victoria Albina, a master certified coach, who explains that people-pleasing stems from a desire to avoid discomfort and manage others' emotions. Albina suggests building tolerance for discomfort as a way to break the habit, starting with small steps, such as saying, "Let me think about it and get back to you," to give yourself time to consider whether you can take on more work.

K-12 officials are struggling to navigate rapid education policy changes under the Trump administration, particularly regarding diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Confusion over the legality of these policies has led some districts, such as City Schools of Decatur in Georgia and Haldane Central School District in New York, to alter or suspend DEI policies to avoid losing federal funding.

Peanut allergies have fallen sharply nationwide, dropping as much as 43% since 2017, after new guidelines and LEAP trial findings encouraged early peanut introduction for infants, but many Michigan districts are maintaining strict nut bans. The School Nutrition Association of Michigan says schools may eventually adjust policies to include peanut products more widely, noting the nuts' value as an affordable protein source and predicting menus could expand as fewer children develop allergies.