Policy & Politics

Education news, analysis, and opinion about the legislation, guidance, policies and people involved in federal and state government
Education Funding Explainer Big Changes to Federal Grants Are Coming: What They Could Mean for Schools
The White House is proposing sweeping regulatory changes for federal grantmaking.
Mark Lieberman
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11 min read
Law & Courts What Schools Need to Know About the Supreme Court’s Transgender Sports Ruling
The justices upheld two state laws that bar transgender girls from participating in female sports.
Mark Walsh
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10 min read
Federal See What's in Trump Commission's Religious Freedom Agenda for Schools
Panel recommends federal guidance on parents' opt-out rights, Ten Commandments displays, and other features.
Evie Blad
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8 min read
Federal New GOP Bills Would Permanently Shift Ed. Dept. Programs to Other Agencies
The bills represent the most significant step so far among Republicans to nix the Education Department.
Alyson Klein
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5 min read
APTOPIX America 250 26184689017796
A flight of fighter jets fly past a picture of President Donald Trump hanging on the U.S. Department of Labor near the Great American State Fair on the National Mall on July 3, 2026, in Washington. The Labor Department has assumed day-to-day management of many K-12 programs as the Trump administration dismantles the Education Department.
Nathan Howard/AP Photo
Law & Courts Teens Drop Lawsuit Against Trump's Trans Sports Order After Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court last month upheld state bans on transgender girls in school sports.
The Associated Press
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4 min read
Two teens challenging New Hampshire's new law banning transgender girls from girls' sports teams, Parker Tirrell, third from left, and Iris Turmelle, sixth from left, pose with their families and attorneys in Concord, N.H., Aug. 19, 2024.
Parker Tirrell, third from left, and Iris Turmelle, sixth from left, pose with their families and attorneys in Concord, N.H., Aug. 19, 2024. The teens initially sued over New Hampshire's law banning transgender girls from school sports teams, and later expanded their lawsuit to challenge President Donald Trump's February 2025 executive order threatening to withhold federal funds from schools that allow transgender girls to join girls' sports teams. They've since withdrawn the legal challenge following a Supreme Court ruling allowing states to ban transgender girls from sports under Title IX.
Holly Ramer/AP
Federal The Principal Pipeline Could Contract Under New Federal Borrowing Caps
A new analysis finds that new student loan limits would hit prospective administrators hardest.
Mark Walsh
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4 min read
Commencement Ceremony 25353687159009
Graduates of Maryland's Towson University celebrate their commencement during a ceremony on Dec. 17, 2025. A new analysis finds that educators studying to become administrators could be hit hardest by new federal caps on student borrowing for graduate students.
Robyn Stevens Brody/Sipa via AP Images
States The Elected Superintendent in This State Will Have Little Power Over Schools
The nation's largest state is the latest to give its governor more power over its schools.
Jennifer Vilcarino
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5 min read
20260703 AMX US NEWS AFTER NEWSOM COULDNT STOP IT 1 SA
Gov. Gavin Newsom makes a point at the opening of the San Quentin Learning Center in San Quentin, Calif., on Feb. 20, 2026. Newsom has championed a move that will place the California education department under the authority of a governor-appointed education commissioner starting next year.
JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS via TNS

Events

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  • California Gov. Gavin Newsom, gives his last May revise in the Swing Space on Thursday, May 14, 2026 , in Sacramento, Calif.
    California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks in Sacramento, Calif., on May 14, 2026. Newsom and legislative leaders pushed for a policy passed as part of the state budget that will scale back the authority of the elected state superintendent.
    Hector Amezcua/The Sacramento Bee via TNS
    States The Nation's Largest State Strips Most Power From Elected Schools Superintendent
    The state superintendent's authority will transfer to an appointee of the governor starting next year.
    Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, July 2, 2026
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    5 min read
    People demonstrate in Lafayette Park across from the White House in Washington, June 30, 2023, after a sharply divided Supreme Court has ruled that the Biden administration overstepped its authority in trying to cancel or reduce student loan debts for millions of Americans.
    People demonstrate in Lafayette Park across from the White House in Washington on June 30, 2023, after the Supreme Court ruled the Biden administration overstepped its authority in trying to cancel or reduce student loan debts. A range of student loan changes took effect July 1.
    Andrew Harnik/AP
    Federal Changes to Student Loans Took Effect July 1. Here's What to Know
    The changes mean the end of some payment plans and new limits for graduate loans.
    The Associated Press, July 2, 2026
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    5 min read
    Graduates of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley attend their commencement ceremony at the schools parking lot on Friday, May 7, 2021, in Edinburg, Texas. Graduate degrees, once touted as the new bachelor’s degrees, are becoming less crucial to get jobs. Today, more college graduates than ever hold advanced degrees, and graduate programs are the only area of higher education that saw enrollment increases during the worst of the pandemic.
    Graduates of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley attend their commencement ceremony in Edinburg, Texas, on May 7, 2021. The Trump administration has expanded its list of graduate degrees it considers "professional" for purposes of determining how much students can borrow to fund their studies.
    Delcia Lopez/The Monitor via AP
    Federal Ed. Dept. Leaves Most K-12 Fields Off Expanded List of 'Professional' Degrees
    Whether a degree is considered "professional" now determines how much graduate students can borrow.
    Matthew Stone, July 1, 2026
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    4 min read
    In this May 5, 2018, file photo, graduates at the University of Toledo commencement ceremony in Toledo, Ohio.
    Graduates at the University of Toledo commencement ceremony in Toledo, Ohio, on May 5, 2018. Two judges have ruled against the Trump administration's overhaul of a public service loan forgiveness program for which teachers have qualified.
    Carlos Osorio/AP
    Law & Courts Judges Strike Down Trump Admin.'s Student Loan Forgiveness Overhaul
    Two judges sided with advocates who said the program risked becoming a tool for political retribution.
    The Associated Press, July 1, 2026
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    3 min read
    An empty Chicago Public Schools classroom is seen on Dec. 15, 2025 .
    An empty Chicago public school classroom is seen on Dec. 15, 2025. Schools in Illinois are preparing to lay off staff as fallout from federal grant cuts continues.
    Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune via TNS
    Education Funding Schools Lay Off Staff as Lawsuits Challenging Federal Grant Cuts Continue
    Recent lawsuits have challenged federal grant cuts affecting special education and English-learner teachers.
    Mark Lieberman, July 1, 2026
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    6 min read
    Katherine Alfaro works with students at Russellville Elementary School, in Russellville, Ala., Aug. 9, 2022. Alfaro is an aide for English Language Learner students, many of whom speak Spanish at home. Russellville schools have the highest percentage of English Language Learners of any district in the state, and officials there have invested in aides and teachers who know how to work with those students.
    Katherine Alfaro works with students at Russellville Elementary School, in Russellville, Ala., Aug. 9, 2022. Alfaro is an aide for English learners, many of whom speak Spanish at home. English-learner education is not immune to anti-DEI policies and politics, according to a new research study.
    Rebecca Griesbach/AL.com via AP
    States Anti-DEI Efforts Reshape How States Serve English Learners
    A new research study shed light on how anti-DEI policies affect English-learner education.
    Ileana Najarro, June 30, 2026
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    5 min read

Resources

Special Education Spotlight Spotlight on the Future of Special Education: Compliance, Data, and Transformation
Special ed is evolving fast, driven by compliance, data, accessible tech, and smarter supports for students with disabilities.
Reading & Literacy Spotlight From Teacher Overload to Literacy Impact
New research, literacy shifts, and teacher support strategies are reshaping instruction and classroom practice nationwide.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Budget & Finance Whitepaper Why Good Co-op Contracts Still Lose to Quick Workarounds
Read the article to see how small, intentional changes can help your district tighten compliance, reduce friction, and maximize the value...
Content provided by Staples Business
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
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Professional Development Whitepaper Beyond Compliance: How K–12 Leaders Drive Teacher Ownership Through Instructional Accountability
This informative guide shows how to drive teacher self-reflection, goal-setting, and professional growth.
Content provided by Results Coaching
  • Members of the Supreme Court sit for a group portrait in Washington, Oct. 7, 2022. Bottom row, from left, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Justice Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Samuel Alito and Justice Elena Kagan. Top row, from left, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, Justice Neil Gorsuch, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. The Supreme Court justices will take the bench Monday, July 1, 2024, to release their last few opinions of the term, including their most closely watched case: whether former President Donald Trump has immunity from criminal prosecution.
    Members of the Supreme Court sit for a group portrait in Washington, Oct. 7, 2022. Bottom row, from left, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Justice Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Samuel Alito, and Justice Elena Kagan. Top row, from left, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, Justice Neil Gorsuch, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. The high court, on June 30, 2026, rejected President Donald Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship.
    J. Scott Applewhite/AP
    Law & Courts Supreme Court Upholds Birthright Citizenship, Rejecting Trump's Proposed Limits
    The justices relied on the 14th Amendment and federal law to rule that anyone born in the U.S. is a citizen.
    The Associated Press, June 30, 2026
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    4 min read
    People advocate for a ban on transgender women and girls participating in women's and girls' sports outside the U.S. Supreme Court building as the court announced decisions in Washington, on June 29, 2026.
    People advocate for a ban on transgender women and girls participating in women's and girls' sports outside the U.S. Supreme Court building as the court announced decisions in Washington, on June 29, 2026. The Supreme Court ruled on June 30, 2026, that states may enforce laws restricting transgender athletes’ participation on girls’ and women’s sports teams.
    Francis Chung/Politico via AP
    Law & Courts States Can Ban Transgender Athletes, Supreme Court Decides
    The court ruled that state bans in Idaho and West Virginia don’t violate the Constitution or Title IX.
    The Associated Press, June 30, 2026
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    3 min read
    Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., conducts a news conference with members of the Democratic Women's Caucus (DWC), during the House Democrats 2025 Issues Conference at the Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg, Va., on March 14, 2025. Reps. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., left, and Teresa Leger Fernandez, D-N.M., are also pictured.
    Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., conducts a news conference with members of the Democratic Women's Caucus (DWC), during the House Democrats 2025 Issues Conference at the Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg, Va., on March 14, 2025. Reps. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., left, and Teresa Leger Fernandez, D-N.M., are also pictured.
    Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP
    Federal Oregon Rep. Says Linda McMahon Has ‘Betrayed Students,’ Pushes Impeachment
    The Democratic lawmaker cited the transfer of programs to other agencies as reason to oust the ed. secretary.
    Alissa Gary, oregonlive.com, June 25, 2026
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    1 min read
    Graduates in the School of Education hold up books as their degrees are conferred during Harvard's 371st Commencement, on May 26, 2022, in Cambridge, Mass.
    Graduates in the School of Education hold up books during Harvard's 371st Commencement on May 26, 2022, in Cambridge, Mass. The Trump administration excluded education fields when it set a definition of "professional" degree to implement a new law instituting graduate student borrowing limits.
    Mary Schwalm/AP
    Law & Courts Judge Voids Trump Admin. Rule Excluding Education From ‘Professional’ Degrees
    A judge ruled the agency didn't have the authority to adopt such a narrow definition.
    Matthew Stone, June 25, 2026
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    4 min read
    The United States Capitol building as a bookcase filled with red, white, and blue policy books in a Washington DC landscape.
    Luca D'Urbino for Education Week
    Federal Opinion The Ed. Dept.'s Civil Rights and Special Ed. Offices Are Moving. Here's What That Means
    Short-term changes are unlikely to be noticeable. Longer term, they may be consequential.
    Rick Hess, June 25, 2026
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    9 min read
    Image of a box of files
    Laura Baker/Education Week + Getty
    Federal Opinion ‘None of This Is Abstract’: The Real Harm of Trump’s Ed. Dept. Civil Rights Move
    Here’s why families will feel it when student civil rights enforcement moves to the Justice Dept.
    Alumni Collective of the U.S. Dept. of Ed., Office for Civil Rights , June 24, 2026
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    4 min read

EdWeek Market Brief

Sales & Marketing Market Analysis We Walked Through ISTE With a Superintendent. Here's What Vendors Did Right — And Wrong
One hour on the ISTE exhibit floor offers a window into the notable differences in how sales representatives connect with K-12 officials, and where they're likely leaving money on the table.
Emma Kate Fittes
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10 min read
Regulation & Policy Market Analysis The Next Challenge for K-12 Ed-Tech: Proving Classroom Screen Time Is Worth It
Facing backlash from parents and educators, a growing number of states and school districts are experimenting with policies that curb screen time and require schools to be more intentional about when — and why — students use digital devices.
David Saleh Rauf
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11 min read
Sales & Marketing Industry Insight Need to Get Sales and Marketing on the Same Page? Try These Techniques
A sales expert turned marketer shares the lessons he's learned for building teams that work well together, and what works to move school districts toward a sale.
Scott Elliott
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6 min read
Financing & Investment K-12 Dealmaking PD Platform Secures Investment From PE Firm Achieve Partners
The company was founded in 2014 by former teachers in an effort to connect PD with instructional outcomes.
Michelle Caffrey
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1 min read
Read More