Policy & Politics

Federal

Education news, analysis, and opinion about federal education policies and federal officials.
  • Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, of Calif., right, speaks about the proposed legislation dubbed the "Parents Bill of Rights," on March 1, 2023, next to Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., on Capitol Hill in Washington.
    Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, of Calif., right, speaks about the proposed legislation dubbed the "Parents Bill of Rights," on March 1, 2023, next to Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., on Capitol Hill in Washington.
    Jacquelyn Martin/AP
    Federal House GOP Passes Parents' Rights Bill in Clash Over Schools
    The legislation seeks to give parents a role in what's taught in public schools, but it has little chance in the Democrat-run Senate.
    The Associated Press, March 24, 2023
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    4 min read
    President Joe Biden speaks about his 2024 budget proposal at the Finishing Trades Institute, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Philadelphia.
    President Joe Biden speaks about his 2024 budget proposal at the Finishing Trades Institute, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Philadelphia.
    Evan Vucci/AP
    Federal How Schools Fare in Biden's Proposed Budget
    President Joe Biden released his fiscal 2024 budget, which calls for more money for preschool, Title I, and special education.
    Libby Stanford, March 9, 2023
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    7 min read
    Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., outlines his priorities during an interview in his Capitol Hill office, Feb. 7, 2023.
    Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., outlines his priorities during an interview in his Capitol Hill office, Feb. 7, 2023.
    J. Scott Applewhite/AP
    Federal The Push for a $60K Base Teacher Salary Gains Steam as Bernie Sanders Signs On
    Sanders' legislation complements a proposal in the House and comes as state lawmakers from both parties prioritize legislation to boost teacher pay.
    Madeline Will, February 14, 2023
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    6 min read
    House Education and Workforce Committee Chair Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., greets then-Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar 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.' Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, June 6, 2018.
    House Education and Workforce Committee Chair Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., greets then-Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar at the conclusion of a House Education and Workforce Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington in June 2018. Foxx spoke to Education Week about her priorities as she becomes chair of the committee for a second time.
    Carolyn Kaster/AP
    Federal Q&A Ending 'Government-Run Monopoly' on Schools Is Top Priority for Rep. Virginia Foxx
    The Republican chair of the U.S. House's education committee plans to pass parents' rights and school choice bills.
    Libby Stanford, February 14, 2023
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    5 min read
    Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
    DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
    Federal Opinion Is This the Key to Unlocking Breakthrough Education Research?
    An innovative federal R&D program for education is getting underway. Rick Hess and Jal Mehta discuss their mixed feelings about it.
    Rick Hess, February 13, 2023
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    5 min read
    Photo of stressed teacher.
    iStock / Getty Images Plus
    Federal Educators' Mental Health Gets New Attention in Federal Bill
    The legislation aims to support the mental health of school staff as they report high levels of depression and work-related stress.
    Libby Stanford, February 9, 2023
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    5 min read
    U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., speaks with reporters during a news conference on Capitol Hill, in Washington on Nov. 3, 2021.
    U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., speaks with reporters during a news conference on Capitol Hill, in Washington last fall. Foxx is the new chairwoman of the U.S. House of Representatives' Education and Workforce committee.
    Alex Brandon/AP
    Federal House Republicans Say Schools 'Stonewalled' Concerned Parents
    Previewing their agenda, GOP members prioritized 'parents' rights' in the first education committee hearing since taking control of the House.
    Libby Stanford, February 8, 2023
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    4 min read
    President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, in Washington.
    President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 7.
    Patrick Semansky/AP
    Federal Biden Calls for More Mental Health Care at Schools in State of the Union
    Biden focused much of his annual speech on the mental health and well-being of children and youth.
    Libby Stanford, February 7, 2023
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    6 min read
    Young boy in a school lunchroom cafeteria line and choosing a slice of pizza to put on his tray which includes an apple.
    SDI Productions/Getty
    Federal USDA Clamps Down on Salt and Sugar in Proposed School Nutrition Guidelines
    It marks the first time the federal agency is calling for limiting the amount of added sugars in school meals.
    Arianna Prothero, February 3, 2023
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    4 min read
    Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., talks with reporters outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023.
    Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., talks with reporters outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, in late January.
    Susan Walsh/AP
    Federal Q&A Boosting 'Pathetically Low' Teacher Pay Is Top of Mind for Bernie Sanders
    The progressive senator from Vermont spoke with Education Week as he prepares to chair the Senate's education committee.
    Libby Stanford, February 1, 2023
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    6 min read
    Teachers from Seattle Public Schools picket outside Roosevelt High School on what was supposed to be the first day of classes, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, in Seattle. The first day of classes at Seattle Public Schools was cancelled and teachers are on strike over issues that include pay, mental health support, and staffing ratios for special education and multilingual students.
    Teachers from Seattle Public Schools picket outside Roosevelt High School on what was supposed to be the first day of classes, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, in Seattle. The first day of classes at Seattle Public Schools was cancelled and teachers are on strike over issues that include pay, mental health support, and staffing ratios for special education and multilingual students.
    Jason Redmond/AP
    Federal What’s Behind the Push for a $60K Base Teacher Salary
    When reintroduced in Congress, a bill to raise teacher salaries will include money to account for regional cost differences.
    Libby Stanford, January 26, 2023
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    5 min read
    U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona delivers a speech during the “Raise the Bar: Lead the World” event in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 24, 2023.
    U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona delivers a speech during the “Raise the Bar: Lead the World” event in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 24, 2023.
    Sam Mallon/Education Week
    Federal Teachers Shouldn't Have to Drive Ubers on the Side, Education Secretary Says
    In a speech on priorities for the year, U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said teachers should be paid competitive salaries.
    Libby Stanford, January 24, 2023
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    5 min read
    Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., talks on the House floor after the first vote for House Speaker when he did not receive enough votes to be elected during opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023, in Washington.
    Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., talks on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on Jan. 3 following the first round of voting for House Speaker. McCarthy fell short of enough votes to be elected speaker in three rounds of voting on opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol.
    Andrew Harnik/AP
    Federal A Chaotic Start to a New Congress: What Educators Need to Know
    A new slate of lawmakers will have the chance to influence federal education policy in the 118th Congress.
    Libby Stanford, January 4, 2023
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    4 min read
    Revelers march down Fifth Avenue during the annual NYC Pride March, Sunday, June 26, 2022, in New York.
    Revelers march down Fifth Avenue during New York City's annual Pride March in June. Proposed changes to Title IX would explicitly protect students from discrimination based on their gender identity or sexuality.
    Mary Altaffer/AP
    Federal Historic Changes to Title IX and School Safety Funding: How 2022 Shaped K-12 Policy
    Federal lawmakers sought to make Title IX more inclusive, respond to school shootings, and crack down on corrupt charter schools.
    Libby Stanford, December 29, 2022
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    6 min read
    People fill out ballots to vote at Benjamin Banneker Middle School during Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Silver Spring, Md.
    People fill out ballots to vote at Benjamin Banneker Middle School on Nov. 8 in Silver Spring, Md.
    Jose Luis Magana/AP
    Federal What Education Issues Did Voters Care About Most? Hint: It Was Not Critical Race Theory
    An NEA poll shows voters' education priorities in the midterm elections.
    Libby Stanford, December 20, 2022
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    5 min read
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