Federal Policy

Jefferson County Elementary School children sit at desks and eat their school-supplied breakfasts in Fayette, Miss., on March 3, 2021. As one of the most food insecure counties in the United States, many families and their children have come to depend on these meals as their only means of daily sustenance.
Jefferson County Elementary School children sit at desks and eat their school-supplied breakfasts in Fayette, Miss., on March 3, 2021. As one of the most food insecure counties in the United States, many families and their children have come to depend on these meals as their only means of daily sustenance.
Rogelio V. Solis/AP
Student Well-Being Citing Pandemic, USDA Waives School Meal Regulations Through June 2022
The USDA has extended regulatory waivers that will allow schools to more easily serve free meals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Evie Blad, April 20, 2021
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2 min read
West Jefferson High School seniors get their temperature checked before entering the Harvey, La., school as students return for in-person learning during the coronavirus pandemic on Aug. 31, 2020.
West Jefferson High School seniors get their temperature checked before entering the Harvey, La., school.
Chris Granger/The Advocate via AP
Budget & Finance FEMA Will Cover Some COVID-19 Staffing Costs for Schools
FEMA is offering to reimburse the costs of pandemic expenses for work performed after Jan. 21. Here's how to get your district's share.
Mark Lieberman, April 19, 2021
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3 min read
The statue of President Abraham Lincoln is seen at the Lincoln Memorial on June 4, 2017 in Washington.
The statue of President Abraham Lincoln is seen at the Lincoln Memorial on June 4, 2017 in Washington.
Cliff Owen/AP
Social Studies Biden Administration Cites 1619 Project as Inspiration in History Grant Proposal
The Biden administration's proposal is part of a heated battle over racism and what students should learn about America's past.
Andrew Ujifusa, April 19, 2021
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6 min read
Image is an illustration of a school receiving financial aid.
Collage by Laura Baker/Education Week (Images: E+, Nuthawut Somsuk/iStock/Getty)
Budget & Finance Will FEMA Reimburse Schools for COVID-Related Costs? Here's What We Know
Numerous school districts are getting millions of dollars less than they expected from the feds for pandemic-related emergency costs.
Mark Lieberman, April 8, 2021
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10 min read
House Education and Workforce Committee Chair Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., greets Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar on June 6, 2018 at the conclusion of a House Education and Workforce Committee hearing on "Examining the Policies and Priorities of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.'
Rep. Virginia Foxx, the ranking Republican on the House education committee, at a hearing in 2018.<br/>
Carolyn Kaster/AP
Federal Q&A Why an Influential Member of Congress Wants a National Investigation Into School Closures
Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., wants the Biden administration to "put children over unions and science over politics."
Andrew Ujifusa, March 15, 2021
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8 min read
President Joe Biden signs the American Rescue Plan, a coronavirus relief package, in the Oval Office of the White House on March 11, 2021.
President Joe Biden signs the American Rescue Plan, a coronavirus relief package, in the Oval Office of the White House on March 11, 2021.
Andrew Harnik/AP
Education Funding See What the Huge COVID-19 Aid Deal Biden Has Signed Means for Education, in Two Charts
The $1.9 trillion aid package includes nearly $130 billion for K-12, an unprecedented one-time infusion of federal education funding.
Andrew Ujifusa, March 11, 2021
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2 min read
Marilyn Linares, a bus driver with the Montgomery County School District, helps load a bus with bags of food to be donated to residents on July 10, 2020, in Derwood, Md.
Marilyn Linares, a bus driver with the Montgomery County School District, helps load a bus with bags of food on July 10, 2020, in Derwood, Md.
Julio Cortez/AP
Federal USDA Extends Free Universal School Meal Service for Children Through the Summer
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended waivers of some school meal rules through Sept. 30, giving schools more flexibility to feed children through summer.
Evie Blad, March 10, 2021
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1 min read
Jamaal Bowman speaks to reporters after voting at a polling station inside Yonkers Middle/High School in Yonkers, N.Y. on June 23, 2020.
Jamaal Bowman speaks to reporters after voting at a polling station inside Yonkers Middle/High School in Yonkers, N.Y. on June 23, 2020.
John Minchillo/AP
Assessment Federal Lawmakers Urge Miguel Cardona to Let States Cancel Tests, Highlighting Discord
A letter from Democratic members to the new education secretary calls for an end to the "flawed" system of annual standardized exams.
Andrew Ujifusa, March 9, 2021
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3 min read
Flags decorate a space outside the secretary's office at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington.
Flags decorate a space outside the secretary's office at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Assessment Biden's Testing Stance Leaves States Tough Choices. Some May Still Try to Avoid Exams
Whether to give tests in person this spring or even test students next school year instead, education leaders confront a complex path.
Andrew Ujifusa, Evie Blad & Sarah Schwartz, February 23, 2021
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12 min read
Students testing.
Getty
Accountability Explainer Will There Be Standardized Tests This Year? 8 Questions Answered
Educators want to know: Will the exams happen? If so, what will they look like, and how will the results be used?
Andrew Ujifusa & Sarah Schwartz, February 9, 2021
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12 min read
Federal Why Federal Agencies With a Hand in K-12 Must Work Together
Those who work in Cabinet agencies involved in education policy often wind up siloed, one expert cautions. It doesn't have to be that way.
Andrew Ujifusa, February 1, 2021
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1 min read
Image of a computers in a classroom.
baona/iStock/Getty
Classroom Technology Here's What Educators Should Expect From the Biden Administration on Education Technology
Expectations are that Biden will start by working to expand broadband access for students and teachers, a crucial need during COVID-19.
Alyson Klein, January 25, 2021
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6 min read
First-grade teacher Megan Garner-Jones, left, and Principal Cynthia Eisner silent clap for their students participating remotely and in-person at School 16, in Yonkers, N.Y., on Oct. 20, 2020.
First-grade teacher Megan Garner-Jones, left, and Principal Cynthia Eisner silent clap for their students participating remotely and in-person at School 16, in Yonkers, N.Y.
Mary Altaffer/AP
Federal Biden Calls for $130 Billion in New K-12 Relief, Scaled Up Testing, Vaccination Efforts
President-elect Joe Biden proposed new aid for schools as part of a broader COVID-19 relief plan, which will require congressional approval.
Evie Blad, January 14, 2021
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5 min read
people hold hands in solidarity forming a chain
iStock/Getty
Federal Opinion How the Biden Administration Can Restore Civil Rights in Ed. Policy
Reversing Trump administration cuts to civil rights protections should be a top priority for President-elect Joe Biden, write five researchers.
Kathryn McDermott, Janelle Scott, Erica Frankenberg, Genevieve Siegel-Hawley & Elizabeth DeBray, December 18, 2020
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5 min read
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