Policy & Politics

Education news, analysis, and opinion about the legislation, guidance, policies and people involved in federal and state government
Federal Video What the Midterm Elections Could Mean for Schools: 4 Takeaways
What Democratic victories and an electoral bright spot for Trump could mean for schools.
Matthew Stone & Yi-Jo Shen
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1 min read
Standards & Accountability Opinion Why Are High Schools Graduating Students Who Can’t Do the Work?
Graduation ceremonies are running ahead of education, says Moms for Liberty’s outreach director.
Catalina Stubbe
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5 min read
States Trump's Education Agenda Gets a Boost on an Otherwise Punishing Night for the GOP
Four states are poised to bar transgender girls from female sports or broaden existing bans.
Mark Walsh
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5 min read
Federal What a Trump Admin. Review of Civil Rights Guidance May Mean for Schools
The Education and Justice departments say seven guidance documents "are no longer enforceable."
Mark Walsh
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6 min read
A hat with the word 'VETO' on it sits on the Resolute Desk as President Donald Trump speaks after signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, in Washington.
A hat with the word "VETO" on it sits on the Resolute Desk as President Donald Trump speaks after signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, in Washington. The U.S. Department of Education under Trump has begun a review of civil rights guidance documents issued during the Obama and Biden administrations.
Alex Brandon/AP
States How the Midterm Results Could Reshape Some States' Reading Policies
Newly elected Democratic governors say raising literacy achievement is a priority.
Sarah Schwartz
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8 min read
Elliott Hart, 4, smiles at her dad, Michael Hart, on Oct. 29, 2026 while wearing a sticker on her face during a Get Out the Vote rally for Ohio Democrats. including Amy Acton, candidate for governor, Thursday, October 29, 2026, at the UAW Local 12 Union Hall in Toledo, Ohio.
Elliott Hart, 4, smiles at her dad, Michael Hart, on Oct. 29, 2026 while wearing a sticker on her face during rally for Ohio Democrats. Amy Acton, who won the governorship in the state, has vowed to keep the state's focus on literacy and expand it.
Jeremy Wadsworth/The Blade via AP
School Choice & Charters After Elections, Democrats Will Run School Choice Programs They've Blasted
Democrats have criticized school choice for a long time. Now, they'll be in charge of some big programs.
Arianna Prothero
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6 min read
Democratic Texas gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa speaks to supporters at an election night event in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Texas Gov.-Elect Gina Hinojosa speaks to supporters at an election night event in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. The Democrat pledged to repeal her state's private school choice program while on the campaign trail.
Ashley Landis/AP
Education Funding How K-12 School Funding Fared in the Midterms: A Nationwide Guide
Tuesday’s elections brought fresh opportunities for increased school investments and new funding constraints.
Mark Lieberman
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7 min read
Voters file into and leave the Betty Rodriguez Public Library voting center Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025 in Fresno.
Voters file into and leave the Betty Rodriguez Public Library voting center Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025 in Fresno, Calif. Voters in several states on Tuesday weighed in on measures to unlock new school funding sources or limit taxes that fund schools.
ERIC PAUL ZAMORA/Fresno Bee via TNS

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Ratings alone don’t help teachers improve. Join us Nov. 10 to hear what happens after the evaluation: feedback, follow-up, and growth.
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AI is reshaping learning. Is assessment keeping up? Join this webinar to explore how to measure student thinking, not just right answers.
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More Policy & Politics

  • The United States Capitol building as a bookcase filled with red, white, and blue policy books in a Washington DC landscape.
    Luca D'Urbino for Education Week
    Federal Opinion Here's What the Blue Wave Could Mean for Education
    Rick Hess and Andy Rotherham analyze how the midterms will shape school choice, sports, and more.
    Rick Hess, November 4, 2026
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    9 min read
    House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., gives encouragement to volunteers at a phone bank at a hotel on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
    House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., gives encouragement to volunteers at a phone bank at a hotel on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Democrats are on track to be back in charge in the lower chamber, giving them leverage to push their own K-12 agenda and resist President Donald Trump's.
    J. Scott Applewhite/AP
    Federal Democrats Will Control Congress. What Educators Can Expect
    Democrats won key races across the country, with implications for K-12 policymaking in Washington.
    Alyson Klein, November 4, 2026
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    6 min read
    The Supreme Court is seen at day's end in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, as the justices prepare to begin the new term next week.
    The U.S. Supreme Court, seen here in Washington on Oct. 1, 2026, appeared ready to side with Catholic preschools in challenging Colorado’s requirement that publicly funded providers sign an anti-discrimination pledge covering sexual orientation and gender identity.
    J. Scott Applewhite/AP
    Law & Courts Can This Religious Preschool Exclude LGBTQ Families and Still Get State Funding?
    The Supreme Court appears ready to let Catholic preschools bypass Colorado’s LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination requirement.
    Mark Walsh, November 3, 2026
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    5 min read
    Education Secretary Linda McMahon prepares for an interview at the Republican convention Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Dallas.
    Education Secretary Linda McMahon prepares for an interview at the Republican convention Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Dallas. The American Federation of Teachers says in a new lawsuit that the U.S. Department of Education is delaying loan forgiveness decisions for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, for which teachers qualify.
    Alex Brandon/AP
    Federal Teachers' Union Sues Trump Administration Over Student Loan Forgiveness
    The American Federation of Teachers and nine student loan borrowers allege the agency is delaying Public Service Loan Forgiveness decisions.
    Cris Tolomia, Quartz, November 2, 2026
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    2 min read
    People walk from the Office of the Supervisor of Elections during early voting in the 2026 midterm elections, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, in Doral, Fla.
    People walk from the Office of the Supervisor of Elections during early voting in the 2026 midterm elections, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, in Doral, Fla. Voters are making decisions with major implications for the nation's schools this election season.
    Lynne Sladky/AP
    States The 4 Big K-12 Questions This Election Day
    The answers will help to determine what's next for education policy.
    Matthew Stone, October 31, 2026
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    7 min read
    Image of a funnel with money slices flowing through onto student desks
    Collage by Laura Baker/Education Week + Getty
    School Choice & Charters A Public School District Wants to Maximize Federal Choice Funds. Here's How
    Indiana's largest district is laying the groundwork for big investments through the new federal tax credit program.
    Mark Lieberman, October 30, 2026
    •
    6 min read

Resources

School & District Management Spotlight Planning Smarter School Environments: From Budgets and Accessibility to Technology and Design
See how schools are connecting physical spaces, digital tools, accessibility, and smarter planning to shape learning environments.
College & Workforce Readiness Quiz Quiz Yourself: How Much Do You Know About the Future of Career Readiness?
Are schools preparing students for tomorrow's workforce? Test your knowledge of the trends and challenges shaping career readiness in K-12.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Classroom Technology Sponsor Choosing the Right Interactive Display for K-12 Classrooms
Discover how to choose the right interactive classroom displays based on technology needs, budgets, security, and long-term value.
Content provided by ViewSonic
School & District Management Spotlight The New Enrollment Landscape: How Demographics, School Choice, and Competition Are Reshaping District Strategy
Explore strategies district leaders are using to adapt, rebuild trust, and make high-impact decisions.

EdWeek Market Brief

Education Market Market Analysis High-Quality Instructional Materials Are Gaining Ground in Middle Schools. What It Means for Education Companies
As districts confront stubborn learning gaps among older students, states are placing greater emphasis on high-quality instructional materials and how they're used in classrooms.
David Saleh Rauf
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8 min read
Regulation & Policy Industry Insight Illinois Is Facing a 'Fiscal Crunch' As Chicago Demands More State Aid. Here's How It Might Affect the State's K-12 Market
Chicago is facing a funding crisis and demanding $150 million in extra aid from the state. How the dispute is resolved could impact districts across Illinois
Robin L. Flanigan
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6 min read
Sales & Marketing Market Analysis Who’s Influencing K-12 Buying? Trusted Educators Are Shaping the Conversation
Educator content creators can help ed-tech companies earn teachers’ trust and spark product adoption. But turning peer recommendations into districtwide sales is more complicated.
Alexandria Ng
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10 min read
Regulation & Policy K-12 Market News FCC Public Comments Show Broad Support for E-rate, Divide Over Regulating Screen Time
Major school districts are drawing a line over classroom screen time, warning against using federal connectivity funding to regulate technology use.
David Saleh Rauf
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3 min read
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