Federal Policy

News, analysis, and opinion about federal education laws, regulations, and proposals—and their impact
Tue., June 17, 2025, 2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET
Federal Webinar What Matters Most to Schools as Trump Makes His Mark? Subscriber-Exclusive Quick Hit
EdWeek subscribers, join this 30-minute webinar to find out what the latest federal policy changes mean for K-12 education.
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June 17, 2025
Tue., May 27, 2025, 2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET
Federal Webinar The Trump Budget and Schools: Subscriber Exclusive Quick Hit
EdWeek subscribers, join this 30-minute webinar to find out what the latest federal policy changes mean for K-12 education.
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May 27, 2025
Education Secretary Linda McMahon appears before the House Appropriation Panel about the 2026 budget in Washington, D.C. on May 21, 2025.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon appears before a House appropriations panel on May 21, 2025, to speak about her department's 2026 budget proposal. The budget would cut department spending by 15%.
Jason Andrew for Education Week
Education Funding Linda McMahon Offers Few New Specifics on Ed. Dept. Budget Cuts
The Education Department wants to cut billions in spending but has offered few specifics on funding streams it wants to consolidate.
Brooke Schultz, May 21, 2025
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5 min read
Image of two school buildings with cones, cameras.
Collage by Liz Yap for Education Week via Canva
School Choice & Charters Then & Now The Trump Admin. Is Reviving This School Choice Option You've Never Heard Of
A little-known provision allows students to transfer out of schools deemed "persistently dangerous." Choice advocates say it's been underused.
Evie Blad, May 21, 2025
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8 min read
3d Render Red glossy Glass Dollar Sign icon in circle Blue Soft Maze, problems, solutions, strategy concept
iStock/Getty
Education Funding Trump's Cancellation of States' COVID-Relief Funding Is on Hold Again
Pandemic-relief funds in 16 states have been temporarily restored—again—just days before they were set to expire.
Mark Lieberman, May 21, 2025
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3 min read
Inclusive education in action, a boy and girl with Down syndrome participate in classroom activities, working side by side at a table as they complete their individual projects.
Courtney Hale/E+
Special Education How Trump's Policies Are Already Upending Special Education
The special ed. field is watching anxiously as the administration cuts grants and research contracts while threatening further disruption.
Mark Lieberman, May 20, 2025
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11 min read
High school student teachers read a book to a preschool class.
High school student teachers read a book to a preschool class. Evidence-based literacy instruction will be one priority for the Trump administration as it awards competitive education grants. The priorities in those competitions will be school choice and "returning education to the states."
Allison Shelley for All4Ed
Education Funding How Trump’s School Priorities Will Shape New Ed. Dept. Grants
The Department of Education on Tuesday announced the priorities it will use to award competitive grants.
Brooke Schultz, May 20, 2025
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6 min read
President Donald Trump, with first lady Melania Trump and others, after signing the Take It Down Act during a ceremony in the Rose Garden at the White House, May 19, 2025. The new law criminalizes the creation and sharing of non-consensual intimate imagery online, which has been a growing challenge for schools.
President Donald Trump, with first lady Melania Trump and others, after signing the Take It Down Act during a ceremony in the Rose Garden at the White House, May 19, 2025. The new law criminalizes the creation and sharing of non-consensual intimate imagery online, which has been a growing challenge for schools.
Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
Student Well-Being Trump Cracks Down Against Explicit AI Images. What It Means for Schools
A new federal law could give schools more leverage to deal with a growing challenge of sexually explicit AI-generated images and videos.
Olina Banerji, May 19, 2025
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9 min read
From the left, kindergarteners Kiera Lee, Jenny Sun, Gilbert Li, and Avelyn Fong, wait in line to walk the red carpet while listening to music from Beauty and the Beast, on the first day of school, at the Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School, K to 1, on South Broad Street, in Philadelphia on Sept. 9, 2019.
Students wait in line on the first day of school at the Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School in Philadelphia on Sept. 9, 2019. The Trump administration has increased funding for charter school grants by $60 million.
Jessica Griffin/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP
Education Funding Education Department Adds $60 Million in Grants for Charter Schools
The department will free up the funding after it gained more spending leeway in a March budget bill.
Brooke Schultz, May 16, 2025
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5 min read
Hannah Liu, 26, of Washington, holds up a sign in support of birthright citizenship on May 15, 2025, outside of the Supreme Court in Washington. "This is enshrined in the Constitution. My parents are Chinese immigrants," says Liu. "They came here on temporary visas so I derive my citizenship through birthright."
Hannah Liu, 26, of Washington, holds up a sign in support of birthright citizenship on May 15, 2025, outside of the Supreme Court in Washington. "This is enshrined in the Constitution. My parents are Chinese immigrants," says Liu. "They came here on temporary visas so I derive my citizenship through birthright."
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Law & Courts Supreme Court Case on Birthright Citizenship Sparks Fears for School Funding
The justices are weighing whether to allow nationwide injunctions of President Donald Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship.
Mark Walsh, May 15, 2025
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5 min read
Female teacher explaining new material to student teacher/apprentice.
Viktor Cvetkovic/E+
Teacher Preparation Trump Admin. Defunds a Program to Help Launch Teacher Apprenticeships
The grant from the Labor Department assisted states and districts as they created hands-on teacher apprenticeships.
Evie Blad, May 15, 2025
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5 min read
Conceptual image of diversity.
iam2mai/iStock/Getty
Federal What Is 'Illegal DEI?' Trump Admin.'s School Probes Start to Paint a Picture
Department probes focused on rooting out DEI have mostly targeted colleges. But the Trump administration is also looking toward K-12.
Brooke Schultz, May 13, 2025
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7 min read
Human hands created secure environment for children via home roof gesture. Adults taking care of vulnerable students.
Mary Long/iStock + Education Week
School & District Management Opinion Denver Superintendent: Why We Sued the Federal Government
Education leaders shouldn't remain apolitical in the face of immigration enforcement changes and other threats from the Trump administration.
Alex Marrero, May 9, 2025
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6 min read
Former Secretary of Education John King speaks with Education Week during an interview on May 5, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Former Secretary of Education John King reflects on his tenure and on the changing teaching profession in an exclusive interview with Education Week on May 5, 2025, in Washington.
Sam Mallon for Education Week
Teaching Q&A Obama Ed. Sec. John King: Teachers Can't Be Bombarded With Reforms
He describes life through the lens of the teachers who shaped him, and reflects on his time leading the nation's education agency.
Sarah D. Sparks, May 6, 2025
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8 min read
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