Federal Policy
News, analysis, and opinion about federal education laws, regulations, and proposals—and their impact
Federal
Q&A
Betsy DeVos' Advice for Trump's Next Education Secretary
DeVos is eager to see a second Trump administration finish what she helped start on school choice and rolling back the federal K-12 role.
Budget & Finance
No More School Lunch Fees for Low-Income Families, USDA Says
Districts have until 2027 to eliminate processing fees for students who get reduced-price meals.
Federal
Can Trump Really Dismantle the Department of Education?
Republicans have long threatened to axe the U.S. Department of Education, but doing so would be complicated.
Federal
Trump's Push to Expand Choice, Nix the Ed. Dept. Takes on New Momentum
Trump’s decisive victory doused accelerant over his plans to dismantle the Education Department and expand school choice.
Federal
How Trump’s Second Term Will Affect Education: 4 Things to Know
Trump has spent little time discussing education, but schools could feel the impact of his administration's policymaking and enforcement.
Federal
Opinion
What's Really at Stake for Education in This Election?
What a Harris or Trump presidential victory might mean for federal education policy, according to Rick Hess.
Law & Courts
Court Battles and Presidential Election Have Big Implications for Title IX Regulation
A federal appeals court heard arguments about whether some provisions of the Title IX regulation should be allowed to go into wider effect.
Federal
Trump's K-12 Record in His First Term Offers a Blueprint for What Could Be Next
In his first term, Trump sought to significantly expand school choice, slash K-12 spending, and tear down the U.S. Department of Education.
Federal
Q&A
Oklahoma State Chief Ryan Walters: 'Trump's Won the Argument on Education'
The state schools chief's name comes up as Republicans discuss who could become education secretary in a second Trump administration.
Federal
Why Trump and Harris Have Barely Talked About Schools This Election
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump haven't outlined many plans for K-12 schools, reflecting what's been the norm in recent contests for the White House.
School & District Management
Many Schools Have Lead in Their Drinking Water. What the Feds Are Doing
A new federal rule cracks down on lead pipes in public water systems. But that focus is unlikely to have a limited effect in schools.
Federal
Explainer
The U.S. Department of Education, Explained
There's a lot of talk—again—about eliminating the U.S. Department of Education. Here's what it does and how it works.
Federal
The White House Set Out to Recruit Thousands of Tutors. Did It Make a Difference?
Adults stepped up, but students' needs remain high just as interventions funded by federal relief money are at risk of ending.
Federal
Opinion
Education Is an Afterthought in This Election. That’s a Problem for All of Us
What does it say about our country if presidential candidates walk away from education policy? asks Bettina L. Love.