Policy & Politics

Education news, analysis, and opinion about the legislation, guidance, policies and people involved in federal and state government
Law & Courts In New Term, Supreme Court Set to Tackle Case on School Board Members' Social Media Use
The docket for education cases looks more modest than last term, but cases on magnet schools and transgender students could be added.
11 min read
Education Funding The Federal Government Might Shut Down (Yes, Again). Here's What Schools Need to Know
At first, most districts can expect business as usual if the federal government shuts down. But some districts risk losing funding soon.
5 min read
Federal Biden Credits School Shooting Survivors as He Creates Gun Violence Prevention Office
President Biden announced the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, fulfilling a long-time goal of school shooting survivors.
5 min read
Law & Courts Appeals Court Blocks District Policy That Requires Students to 'Respect' Gender Identity
The federal appeals court panel holds that the policy is likely unconstitutionally vague under the First Amendment.
4 min read
A poster is held at the Iowa Queer Student Alliance "We say gay" rally inside the Iowa State Capitol on March 8, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa.
The Iowa Queer Student Alliance holds a "We say gay" rally inside the Iowa State Capitol on March 8, 2023, in Des Moines. The legislature passed a bill last spring that prohibits school districts from providing false or misleading information to parents regarding their children's gender identity. A federal appeals court ruled that the new law made parts of a lawsuit against the Linn-Mar Community School District's policy moot, though the court revived a challenge to one part of the policy.
Margaret Kispert/The Des Moines Register via AP
Federal Dianne Feinstein's Fight to Stop Gun Violence in Schools Central to Her Legacy
The California Senator will be remembered for her strong support of gun restrictions to stop school shootings.
5 min read
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., speaks to members of the media as crowds of people participate in the "March for Our Lives" rally in support of gun control on March 24, 2018, in San Francisco.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., speaks to members of the media as crowds of people participate in the "March for Our Lives" rally in support of gun control on March 24, 2018, in San Francisco.
Josh Edelson/AP
Law & Courts School Districts Are Poised For a $23 Million Payout in New Opioid Settlement
If the settlement is approved, school districts will be able to apply for grants to address the effects of opioids on their students and staff.
4 min read
Sa Thao signs the 2022 Mobile Recovery National Bus during a stop at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., on Sept. 7, 2022. Across the country, people in recovery and relatives of those killed by opioid overdoses are pressing for roles in determining how billions in opioid settlement money will be used. That push is one of the missions of the monthlong nationwide bus tour. Thao was addicted to methamphetamine but through recovery programs has been clean for 18 months.
Sa Thao signs the 2022 Mobile Recovery National Bus during a stop at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., on Sept. 7, 2022. Across the country, people in recovery and relatives of those killed by opioid overdoses are pressing for roles in determining how billions in opioid settlement money will be used.
Rich Pedroncelli/AP
Federal Obituary Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, an Advocate for Liberal Priorities, Dies at Age 90
Feinstein pushed for bans on military-style weapons after the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.
10 min read
Senator Dianne Feinstein shakes hands with supporters of Planned Parenthood on July 6, 2018, in Oakland, Calif.
Senator Dianne Feinstein shakes hands with supporters of Planned Parenthood on July 6, 2018, in Oakland, Calif.
Lea Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle via AP

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  • Close crop of an elementary school, black girl in class focused on writing in a book.
    iStock/Getty
    States Is Cursive Making a Comeback in California? Bill Could Revitalize Traditional Writing Skills
    California elementary and middle school students could soon see a renewed commitment to teaching cursive writing.
    Maya Miller, The Sacramento Bee, September 14, 2023
    2 min read
    Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a news conference, Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, in Miami.
    Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a news conference, Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, in Miami.
    Marta Lavandier/AP
    States Florida's Edicts on Schools Keep Changing, and Local Districts Are Confused
    District leaders say frustration is mounting as they try to enforce new education laws regarding gender issues, sex, library books, and race.
    Jeffrey S. Solochek, Tampa Bay Times, September 14, 2023
    7 min read
    Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
    DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
    School Choice & Charters Opinion A School Without Bells or Report Cards. Can It Fly?
    Students at one private school earn "learning credits" rather than traditional grades. What does that look like?
    Rick Hess, September 14, 2023
    8 min read
    Alexi Giannoulias, Illinois secretary of state, talks with Chairman Richard Durbin, D-Ill., right, and Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing titled "Book Bans: Examining How Censorship Limits Liberty and Literature," in Hart Building on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.
    Alexi Giannoulias, Illinois secretary of state, talks with Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., right, and Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing titled "Book Bans: Examining How Censorship Limits Liberty and Literature," on Sept. 12, 2023.
    Tom Williams/AP
    Federal A Senate Committee Takes Up School Book Wars, Complete With Sharp Partisan Divisions
    The Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on "book bans" included one Republican senator reading sexually explicit passages.
    Mark Walsh, September 12, 2023
    4 min read
    Handwritten red letter grades cover a blue illustration of a classic brick school building.
    Laura Baker, Canva
    Accountability Why These Districts Are Suing to Stop Release of A-F School Ratings
    A change in how schools will be graded has prompted legal action from about a dozen school districts in Texas.
    Evie Blad, September 7, 2023
    4 min read
    FILE - Bremerton High School assistant coach Joe Kennedy takes a knee and prays at the 50-yard line after Bremerton's win over Mount Douglas in a high school football game at Bremerton Memorial Stadium in Bremerton, Wash., on Sept. 1, 2023. Kennedy, the praying football coach who had a long legal battle to get his job back, resigned Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023, after his first game back on the job. He cited multiple reasons for his resignation including taking care of an ailing family member out of state. (Meegan M. Reid/Kitsap Sun via AP, File)
    Law & Courts Football Coach Who Won Supreme Court Prayer Case Has Resigned
    The coach waged a seven-year legal battle to be rehired.
    The Associated Press, September 6, 2023
    2 min read

EdWeek Market Brief

Marketplace K-12 K-12 Dealmaking: Shaq leads EdSoma’s Seed Round; eDynamics Learning Acquires CTE Platforms
The investment marks the NBA star-turned-investor's first foray into the ed-tech market.
Michelle Caffrey
4 min read
Exclusive Data When Districts Say They Value ‘Research,’ What Do They Mean?
An EdWeek Market Brief survey asked district and school leaders what kinds of evidence they need to see in evaluating products.
Emma Kate Fittes
8 min read
Purchasing Alert Illinois District Needs Professional Development for Administrators; Pa. System Looks for Virtual Tutoring
An Illinois district is looking for professional development for administrators, while a Pennsylvania school system seeks on-demand virtual tutoring.
Michelle Caffrey
2 min read
Analyst's View Districts Are Ramping Up Standards for ELL Materials. Here’s How to Meet Rising Expectations
Gabriela Uro, director for ELL policy and research for the Council of the Great City Schools, says districts need content that challenges learners while improving their language skill.
Michelle Caffrey
9 min read