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The Impact of Social Media on Students

In the past decade, social media has become deeply woven into students’ everyday lives, both inside and outside the classroom. As we move into 2025, understanding the impact of social media on students—academically, socially and psychologically—is essential for parents, educators and school leaders. This article updates the original analysis with current data, evolving policies and expert commentary, while retaining the previous structure for clarity and continuity.

Introduction

The term “social media” now covers everything from short-form video apps like TikTok, to image-sharing networks such as Instagram, to collaborative platforms used by students and schools. The latest estimates show approximately 5.24 billion people worldwide are active on social media in 2025, up 4.1 % from the previous year.
For students, social media represents both potential advantages (such as connected learning and peer collaboration) and clear risks (including distraction, mental-health concerns and reduced focus).
The remainder of this article explores the current state of social media use among students, its academic implications, behavioural and mental-health effects, evolving school policies, strategies for positive use, and recommendations for families and educators.

Current Usage Patterns

�鶹������ý studies indicate that social media usage remains high among young people and students. Global figures show that 63.9 % of the world’s population uses social media, with an average daily time of about 2 hours 21 minutes as of February 2025.
For school-age students, access to digital devices is nearly universal. For example,

The Push for Career and Technical Education (CTE)

In recent years, interest in career and technical education (CTE) has surged as parents, students and educators seek more relevant pathways to careers and post-secondary success. This article updates the 2023 perspective with fresh data, 2025-era policy developments, tuition realities and real-world examples of how CTE is evolving in U.S. schools.

1. Why CTE Is Back in the Spotlight

Career and Technical Education (CTE) offers a strategic bridge between academic learning and in-demand careers. In February 2025, the U.S. Department of Education reaffirmed its commitment to CTE during the annual Career and Technical Education Month, emphasizing renewed funding and national priority.
Several factors are driving this renewed focus:

• Workforce demands: Employers face skilled-labor shortages and seek graduates who can enter the job market with both technical skills and academic literacy.

• Diversity of student goals: More students and families recognise that a four-year college is not the only route to stable employment; CTE offers viable alternatives.

• Policy momentum: �鶹������ý legislation and state actions are providing incentives and accountability for CTE programs.

• Equity and access concerns: CTE is increasingly framed as a tool for widening opportunity to students who may not otherwise pursue traditional college paths.

2. 2025 Data Snapshot for U.S. CTE

According to the latest data by the National Center

School Lunch Programs: Past and Present

Introduction
School lunch programs have become a cornerstone of U.S. public education, bridging nutrition and learning for millions of students each day. As of 2025, understanding the evolution of these initiatives—how they began, how they’ve changed, and where they stand now—remains critical for parents, educators and policymakers alike. This article revisits the history of school lunch programs, examines current policy and participation data, and offers a forward-looking view of how they shape the educational environment.

1. Origins of School Lunch Programs
The federal school lunch program in the United States was formalised with the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) under the National School Lunch Act of 1946, with the goal of providing “nutritious meals” in public and non-profit private schools. Over subsequent decades, the program expanded and adapted in response to shifts in child nutrition science, federal funding, and socio-economic trends.

Earlier iterations emphasised calorie adequacy and food security; by the early 21st century, concerns about childhood obesity and diet quality drove changes in meal standards and procurement practices. For example, the federal rules governing school meals were significantly updated to align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025.This historical foundation sets the stage for how school lunch programs function today.

2. Participation and Reach in 2025
Participation remains large-scale: according to the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), nearly 29.4 million children participated in the NSLP on a typical day in the 2023–24

Transfer Pathways: Moving from One Public School District to Another

When a student moves from one public school district to another—or when a family wishes to transition their child to a non-resident district—the concept of transfer pathways becomes critical. Whether prompted by a relocation, school fit concerns, academic programs or safety issues, navigating the process of moving between public school districts in 2025 requires preparation, awareness of state/district rules, and proactive communication. This article outlines key considerations, steps, eligibility factors and expert commentary to help parents, students and educators make informed decisions about district-to-district transfers.

Why Families Choose to Use Transfer Pathways

Families may pursue transferring a student between public school districts for several reasons:

• Relocation to a new address outside the student’s current district boundary.

• Seeking a better academic program, extracurricular offering or specialized service that the resident district may not offer.

• Safety, health or hardship issues that make the current school environment less appropriate.

• Opportunity for open-enrollment or inter-district choice policies in certain states.

Understanding the motivation early helps frame which type of transfer pathway is relevant—whether an intra-district move, inter-district “choice” transfer or a residency-related enrollment change.

Terminology: Intra- vs. Inter-District Transfers

It is useful to distinguish between common terms:

• Intra-district transfer: The student remains within their home

The Future of Public Education in America

In 2025, the landscape of public education in America stands at a crossroads. Changes in demographics, funding, policy, technology and public sentiment are reshaping what it means for students, parents and educators to engage with the public school system. As we chart the future of public education in America, understanding where we are now—and where we might go—is essential for informed decision-making.

Current Snapshot: Strengths and Stresses

Enrollment and staffing

For the 2025 school year, about 54.1 million K-12 students are enrolled in public schools across the United States.Meanwhile, the workforce comprises approximately 5.7 million teachers and nearly 10 million staff members, including support personnel.
Despite this scale, the sector is dealing with persistent challenges: a recent survey from RAND Corporation shows that in the 2024-25 academic year, 30 percent or more of students in many urban districts missed 10 percent or more of school days (the definition of chronic absenteeism). These figures point to a core truth: while public education serves tens of millions of students, the system is under strain.

Funding and expenditure

Public school funding remains a major focal point. According to data compiled by EducationData.org, per-pupil spending in many states ranges from about US $12,000 up to more than $30,000 in high-cost regions. On a national scale, the Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development (OECD)