Media literacy education is gaining traction in schools as states pair social media and AI restrictions with instructional requirements, writes author and media educator Frank Baker. However, a Media Literacy Now report highlights a gap between legislation and implementation in the classroom, with many schools lacking clear standards and professional development, Baker writes, offering some suggestions for educators on teaching the topic across the curriculum.

High school English teacher Nick Kennedy has developed the Sankofa Framework to help students engage with primary sources in Advanced Placement African American Studies. The framework, inspired by Afrocentricity and the Akan symbol of Sankofa, guides students to situate sources in historical context, explore historical knowledge, identify omissions and reflect on emotional impact.

Congress has approved the fiscal 2026 education budget, ensuring that funding for almost all existing K-12 programs remains at previous levels. The vote came after a year of uncertainty and a brief shutdown, but the final package maintains allocations for key programs such as Title I, IDEA, Title II and Title III, providing schools with consistent support for the upcoming school year.

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit that sought to require New York City schools to use a higher standard of proof before issuing long-term suspensions. Currently, the "substantial and competent" evidence standard is used, which Legal Services NYC argued is insufficient and violates due process rights. The judge ruled that the current standard is constitutionally sufficient and that raising it would burden the discipline process.

The momentum behind school cellphone bans has led over half the states to enact some form of restriction, with some considering daylong bans to improve student achievement and mental health. Despite widespread adoption, a University of Southern California study shows that compliance is inconsistent, with most students continuing to use phones during school hours.

The Youth Leadership Institute, organized by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's local chapter in Starkville, Miss., is aimed at empowering middle-school girls aged 11 to 13 with leadership skills through a blend of workshops, field trips and hands-on projects. A core component of the program is its focus on civic engagement, exemplified by a recent visit to Starkville City Hall, where participants addressed city aldermen and witnessed local government in action with a goal of demystifying the civic processes and inspiring active participation in civic life among young women.

Liv Easum, a junior at Dickinson High School, has been elected president of the North Dakota Student Council, becoming the first from her school to hold the position. Easum's platform focuses on expanding the implementation of peer-to-peer programs statewide to foster inclusion for students with disabilities, and she aims to ensure all students feel valued and included.

Applications are now open to serve on the NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Review Committee! Apply by February 14, 2026.

How do you teach social studies in ways that make it indispensable to our students' and community's daily lives? How do you advocate for social studies beyond the walls of your classrooms and into your communities and state houses across the country? Submit your proposal to present at the 106th NCSS Annual Conference: Social Studies 365.