Federal

Education news, analysis, and opinion about federal education policies and federal officials.
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    F. Sheehan for Education Week / Getty
    Federal FEMA's Emergency Alert Test May Disrupt Classes. Here's How Schools Should Prepare
    FEMA will test its national emergency alert system Wednesday, involving an alert sent out to all cell phones at the same time.
    Libby Stanford, October 3, 2023
    4 min read
    Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
    DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
    Federal Opinion Republicans Keep Talking About Abolishing the Education Department. Why?
    GOP presidential candidates have pledged to ax the federal agency. But it's unlikely they'll be able to keep those promises.
    Rick Hess, October 2, 2023
    4 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
    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.
    Alyson Klein, September 29, 2023
    5 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
    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.
    The Associated Press, September 29, 2023
    10 min read
    President Joe Biden speaks about gun safety on Sept. 22, 2023, from the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., applauds at left.
    President Joe Biden speaks about gun safety on Sept. 22, 2023, from the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., applauds at left.
    Jacquelyn Martin/AP
    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.
    Evie Blad, September 22, 2023
    5 min read
    Isaya S. waves out the window of a Seattle Public Schools bus while participating in the annual Seattle Pride Parade on June 25, 2023, in Seattle.
    Isaya S. waves out the window of a Seattle Public Schools bus while participating in the annual Seattle Pride Parade on June 25, 2023, in Seattle.
    Lindsey Wasson/AP
    Federal A Flood of Public Feedback Has Delayed a Title IX Change Covering Trans Athletes—Again
    The Biden administration has not taken the final step to adopt long-awaited Title IX changes that would explicitly protect LGBTQ+ students.
    Libby Stanford, September 20, 2023
    5 min read
    Students participate in a school archery program. A group of congressional lawmakers are working to amend federal law to ensure schools can purchase bow and arrows and other supplies for archery, sharp shooting, and hunting programs in schools.
    Students participate in a school archery program. A group of congressional lawmakers are working to amend federal law to ensure schools can purchase bow and arrows and other supplies for school archery, sharp shooting, and hunting programs with federal education funds.
    Courtesy of the National Archery in the Schools Program
    Federal Is Funding for School Archery and Hunting Programs Really at Risk?
    A U.S. Department of Education document led to confusion among school administrators about funding for archery and hunting programs.
    Libby Stanford, September 18, 2023
    4 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
    Republican presidential candidates, from left, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum stand on stage before a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by FOX News Channel on Aug. 23, 2023, in Milwaukee.
    Republican presidential candidates, from left, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum stand on stage before a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by FOX News Channel on Aug. 23, 2023, in Milwaukee.
    Morry Gash/AP
    Federal WATCH: 5 Key Takeaways on Education From the 1st GOP Presidential Debate
    Among the highlights: take on the teachers' unions, scrap the Education Department, and boost reading.
    Libby Stanford, August 24, 2023
    8 min read
    Republican presidential candidates, from left, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum stand at their podiums during a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by FOX News Channel on Aug. 23, 2023, in Milwaukee.
    Republican presidential candidates, from left, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum stand at their podiums during a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by FOX News Channel on Aug. 23, 2023, in Milwaukee.
    Morry Gash/AP
    Federal Broad Calls to Ax Education Department and Take On Teachers' Unions at 1st GOP Debate
    Republican presidential candidates also used the first primary election debate to call for expanded school choice.
    Libby Stanford, August 24, 2023
    4 min read
    Presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at The Gathering in Atlanta, on Aug. 18, 2023.
    Presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at The Gathering in Atlanta, on Aug. 18, 2023.
    Ben Gray/AP
    Federal Ron DeSantis' Campaign Is Struggling. What Does That Say About His Education Platform?
    The Florida governor's education agenda may not be as appealing to national voters.
    Libby Stanford, August 22, 2023
    5 min read
    Illustration of a large hand inserting a coin into the top of a stack of books
    iStock/Getty
    Federal What the Research Says Biden Has Tapped an Education Researcher for Economic Adviser. Here Are 6 of His Findings
    Kirabo Jackson is known for his work on teacher effectiveness and social-emotional learning, among other topics.
    Sarah D. Sparks, August 14, 2023
    5 min read
    Close up photo of Money Bills - Benjamin Franklin
    Getty
    Federal Voters Don't Think ESSER Funds Have Improved Their Schools, Poll Finds
    In response to a poll from Democrats for Education Reform, voters said schools have stayed the same or become worse following the pandemic.
    Libby Stanford, August 1, 2023
    5 min read
    Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona gives an address to the American Federation of Teachers Together Educating America’s Children (TEACH) conference, in Washington, D.C., on July 21, 2023.
    U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, shown speaking to a teachers' conference on July 21, addressed educational leaders Wednesday about the U.S. Supreme Court's affirmative action decision.
    Graeme Sloan for Education Week
    Federal Secretary Cardona Says Affirmative Action Decision Will Challenge All Education Leaders
    The U.S. Department of Education held a summit to discuss the Supreme Court decision and said that more detailed guidance was coming soon.
    Mark Walsh, July 26, 2023
    4 min read
    Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters presides over a special state Board of Education meeting discuss to the U.S. Department of Education's "Proposed Change to its Title IX Regulations on Students' Eligibility for Athletic Teams", Wednesday, April 12, 2023, in Oklahoma City.
    Oklahoma's superintendent of public instruction, Ryan Walters presides over a special state Board of Education meeting on April 12, 2023, in Oklahoma City to discuss the U.S. Department of Education's proposed changes to Title IX rules that would prohibit states from categorically banning transgender athletes from playing on teams that align with their gender identity. Walters was among four conservative state education chiefs who spoke at the national summit for the group Moms for Liberty on June 30.
    Sue Ogrocki/AP
    Federal Conservatives Renew Call to End U.S. Education Department at Moms for Liberty Summit
    A panel of state schools chiefs criticized the federal agency at the summit in Philadelphia for policies that "indoctrinate" students.
    Libby Stanford, July 5, 2023
    6 min read