Public School Transportation & Commute Planning Guide

New Public School Safety Protocols in 2025–26: What Parents Should Know Before School Opens

As the 2025–26 academic year approaches, public school safety protocols are once again at the center of national attention. Districts across the country have updated public school safety protocols in response to evolving security risks, mental health concerns, and lessons learned from recent emergencies. For parents, understanding public school safety protocols before the first day of school is essential for making informed decisions and having productive conversations with school leaders.

This guide explains the most important public school safety protocols being implemented for the 2025–26 school year, why they matter, and how families can stay engaged. While specific policies vary by district and state, many public school safety protocols now share common features nationwide.

Why Public School Safety Protocols Are Changing

Public school safety protocols are not static. They evolve as schools respond to new research, emerging threats, and community expectations. In recent years, districts have expanded public school safety protocols to address:

• Campus security and access control

• Emergency preparedness and response

• Student mental health and wellness

• Digital safety and online threats

• Coordination with local first responders

Federal guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, research from the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center, and recommendations from the National Association of

The Role of Technology in Education

Technology has reshaped education over the past decade, moving from supplemental tools to central components of teaching and learning. In 2025, digital tools, platforms, and artificial intelligence (AI) are influencing how educational content is delivered, accessed, and assessed for students from kindergarten through higher education. This article explores current trends, evidence, policy considerations, and the implications for parents, students, educators, and policymakers.

The Evolution of Educational Technology

Education technology, or EdTech, refers to the digital systems used to support instruction, learning, assessment, and administration. Initially limited to basic computer labs and projectors, technology in education now includes cloud-based platforms, adaptive learning systems, virtual and augmented reality, and generative AI tools.

The global EdTech market continues to expand rapidly, underscored by sustained investment and adoption. In 2025, the global market was valued at approximately $233.8 billion, with projections suggesting continued growth into the next decade. This expansion reflects increasing demand for online learning, mobile apps, and AI-enabled solutions in schools and universities around the world. Global Growth Insights

How Students and Teachers Use Technology

Classroom and remote learning environments now rely on a diverse ecosystem of technologies. A large majority of educators use digital tools in daily instruction, while students engage with technology for collaboration, research, and assessment.

Recent data indicate that nearly all teachers incorporate some form of digital resource in their classrooms, with many employing interactive lessons and platforms that

School Uniforms: The Raging Debate in 2026

School uniforms remain one of the most debated policies in education. Supporters argue uniforms promote discipline and equity, while critics say they burden families, restrict expression, and offer limited academic benefits. This updated analysis uses the latest data and research to help parents, educators, students, and policymakers understand the complex trade-offs involved.

What School Uniforms Are and How Widespread They Are

A school uniform is a standardized set of clothing required by a school that usually includes specified shirts, trousers or skirts, and often ties or blazers. Students may attend schools with strict dress codes, partial uniform requirements, or no formal uniform at all. Uniforms are common in many countries across Africa, Asia, and Oceania, but less so in the United States and much of continental Europe.

According to recent reviews, about one in five U.S. public schools requires uniforms in some form, with adoption highest in elementary levels and lower in high schools. Globally, uniform policies vary widely by culture and education system.

Historical Roots of Uniform Policies

The idea of standard dress in schools dates back centuries, with some of the earliest modern examples traced to 16th-century England. In the U.S., uniform policies gained attention in the late 20th century as public schools sought ways to improve safety and focus on learning.

Arguments in Favor of School Uniforms

Promoting Safety and

The Push for Bilingual Education in 2025

Bilingual education continues to be one of the most debated and dynamic areas of U.S. public education policy. As the nation’s student population becomes more linguistically diverse, families, educators, and policymakers are re-examining how schools can best support bilingual education to meet academic, cultural, and economic goals. This article updates key trends, research findings, policy changes, and real-world examples from the most recent data available in 2025, helping families and decision makers understand the state of bilingual learning today.

What Is Bilingual Education?

Bilingual education refers to instructional approaches in which students learn academic content in two languages, typically English and a partner language, such as Spanish, Mandarin, or American Sign Language. These programs vary widely in design. Some offer support for students learning English, others aim for biliteracy for all students regardless of background, and still others, like dual-language immersion, share instructional time more equitably across languages.

Bilingual education can include:

• Transitional bilingual programs designed primarily to support English learners’ acquisition of English language skills

• Dual-language immersion programs that aim for literacy and academic proficiency in both languages

• Developmental bilingual programs that support heritage language maintenance while students gain English proficiency

A directory of current foreign language immersion offerings illustrates the variety of programs available in U.S. schools, including Spanish-English immersion programs in multiple states. Public School