Policy & Politics
Education news, analysis, and opinion about the legislation, guidance, policies and people involved in federal and state government
Law & Courts
California COVID-19 Closures Infringed Private School Parents' Rights, Federal Court Rules
A federal appeals court holds that the state's closure rules for private schools were not narrowly tailored to serve compelling interests.
Federal
How Political Backlash to Critical Race Theory Reached School Reopening Guidance
A lawmaker wants Miguel Cardona to repudiate the Abolitionist Teaching Network after federal COVID-19 documents referenced the group's work.
Law & Courts
'I Just Want to Play.' Judge Halts W. Va. Law Barring Transgender Girls From Girls' Sports
Ruling for an 11-year-old transgender girl, the judge holds that the law likely violates the equal-protection clause and Title IX.
Federal
Biden Calls on Schools to Host COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics for Kids 12 and Up
The president is focusing on vaccinating children ages 12 and older as concerns grow about the Delta variant and its impact on schools.
Education Funding
School Infrastructure Funding in Flux as Senators Advance Package Funding Electric Buses
Groups are warning school infrastructure could get shortchanged as Democrats negotiate a sweeping $3.5 trillion budget deal.
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States
'A Very McCarthyism Feel': Idaho Teachers Say Indoctrination Task Force Stokes Fear
Teachers say they don't know what they are allowed to discuss, and they're scared of the repercussions — for themselves and their students.
Education Funding
The Fight Over Charter School Funding in Washington, Explained
Tensions between some Democrats in Congress and charter school backers have reached a new level over proposed restrictions on federal aid.
Assessment
Standardized Tests Could Be in Jeopardy in Wake of Biden Decisions, Experts Say
Has the Biden administration shored up statewide tests this year only to risk undermining long-term public backing for them?
Federal
Biden Team: Schools Can Go Beyond Trump Rules in Response to Alleged Sexual Misconduct
The Education Department's guidance, released July 20, states that Title IX rules from 2020 lay out "minimum steps" for educators.
Federal
Fact Check: After Furor Over 1619 Project, Feds Adjust History and Civics Grant Plans
A previously obscure history and civics program has weathered a political storm, but what exactly has changed?
Federal
'Stop CRT' Bill, Votes in Congress Add to Political Drama Over Critical Race Theory
Sen. Tom Cotton's legislation and votes about critical race theory in the House underscore the issue's potency in Washington.
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Schools are welcoming students back into buildings for full-time in-person instruction in a few short weeks and now is the perfect time to take a hard look at both our practices and systems to build
Classroom Technology
Webinar
Making Big Technology Decisions: Advice for District Leaders, Principals, and Teachers
Educators at all levels make decisions that can have a huge impact on students. That’s especially true when it comes to the use of technology, which was activated like never before to help students learn
Professional Development
Webinar
Expand Digital Learning by Expanding Teacher Training
This discussion will examine how things have changed and offer guidance on smart, cost-effective ways to expand digital learning efforts and train teachers to maximize the use of new technologies for learning.
Law & Courts Praying Coach v. District That Suspended Him: What's Next in Fight Over Religious ExpressionThe U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit declined to reconsider an earlier panel ruling that sided with the school district.
States Who's Really Driving Critical Race Theory Legislation? An InvestigationEducation Week reporting documents a complex web of individuals and conservative organizations supporting this far-reaching legislation.
Education Funding What the House Education Spending Bill Would Do for Schools, in One ChartHouse lawmakers have advanced a funding bill for next year with big increases for several education programs, but it's far from a done deal.
States Download Full Text of the Texas Law Restricting Classroom Talk on Racism (HB 3979)The Texas law restricts how teachers talk about controversial issues and limits the ways slavery and racism are taught.
Law & Courts Appeals Court Again Backs Transgender Student, But on Narrower Grounds Amid Signs of RiftA federal appeals panel removed a holding for student Drew Adams based on Title IX, perhaps to ward off a rehearing by the full court.
States How Will Bans on 'Divisive' Classroom Topics Be Enforced? Here's What 10 States Plan to DoStates will use lawsuits, penalties against districts, and disciplinary action against teachers to enforce "critical race theory" laws.
Student Well-Being
Spotlight
Spotlight on New School Year Collaborations
In this Spotlight, learn where principals and teachers differ on what’s important, gain insights on collaborative learning, and more.
Reading & Literacy
Spotlight
Spotlight on the Science of Reading 2021
In this Spotlight, review where the learning gaps are for those learning to read, determine if teachers are properly prepared and more.
Privacy & Security
Spotlight
Spotlight on Lessons Learned: Digital Safety
In this Spotlight, review ways you should be approaching student and system data, discover how others teach digital safety, and more.
Student Well-Being
Spotlight
Spotlight on Student Health & Safety
In this Spotlight, assess what the data says and how educators can play a part in protecting their students, and more.
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Federal Senators Grill Civil Rights Nominee on Transgender Students, Sexual Assault InvestigationsIf confirmed as assistant secretary for civil rights, Catherine Lhamon will handle some of the Education Department's most sensitive issues.
School Choice & Charters Virtual Charters in Hot Water Again. Accusations of Fraud Prompt $150M LawsuitIndiana officials seek to recoup more than $150 million they say was either wrongly obtained or misspent by a consortium of virtual schools.
Education Funding House Democrats Pitch 'Massive Funding Increase' in Latest Education Spending BillThe proposal would more than double aid to Title I programs for low-income students and aims to help schools address fallout from COVID-19.
Federal Biden Is Wrong About Transgender Student Rights, Group of Republican AGs SaysGender identity is not covered by Title IX, attorneys general said in a letter that challenged the Biden administration's position.
Law & Courts Schools Will Get At Least $25 Million From Opioid LawsuitLawyers are aiming to place significantly more money into the grant program as school districts' lawsuits against opioid companies continue.
Education Funding Feds Set Limits on Which Private Schools Can Get COVID-19 ReliefThe Education Department's rules deal with $2.75 billion in American Rescue Plan aid set aside for private schools.
Exclusive Data
The Most Essential Features Districts Want in Social-Emotional Learning Products
EdWeek Market Brief surveyed district officials on which features of SEL products and programs are most important to them.
Market Trends
6 Mistakes Education Company CEOs Need to Avoid in Their Relationships With Boards
Here are six mistakes education industry leaders said ed-tech CEOs should avoid when building and maintaining a board.
Marketplace K-12
Spending on Tech-Based Curriculum Jumps During the Pandemic, New Survey of IT Leaders Finds
Spending on curriculum software and subscriptions grew at a higher rate than any other technology budget area over the most recent year, according to the Consortium for School Networking.
Marketplace K-12
PowerSchool, Major Ed-Tech Provider, Valued at $3.5 Billion Following Initial Public Offering
PowerSchool, a major provider of student information systems and an array of other K-12 tools, is the latest education company to announce it is going public.