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Politics K-12

Politics K-12 kept watch on education policy and politics in the nation’s capital and in the states. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: Federal, States.

Every Student Succeeds Act Betsy DeVos Approves ESSA Plans for Nevada, New Jersey, and New Mexico
The Trump Education Department has given four states the green light on their plans to implement the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Alyson Klein, August 9, 2017
2 min read
Federal Watch Betsy DeVos' First Six Months as Secretary in Under Two Minutes
After six months on the job, what has Betsy DeVos accomplished? What are her biggest challenges? Watch this video and find out.
Alyson Klein, August 9, 2017
1 min read
Every Student Succeeds Act Trump Ed. Dept. to Michigan: Your ESSA Plan Is Missing Major Details
A key section of Michigan's plan to implement the Every Student Succeeds Act is so sparse that the U.S. Department of Education isn't sure it's ready for formal review.
Alyson Klein, August 8, 2017
4 min read
Federal Democrats Blast Betsy DeVos for Her Department's 'Hostility' to Civil Rights
DeVos' approach to civil rights has become one of the most controversial parts of her work during her first six months on the job.
Andrew Ujifusa, August 8, 2017
7 min read
Federal ESSA Point Man Jason Botel to Leave Education Dept. Post, Sources Say
Acting assistant secretary of elementary and secondary education Jason Botel may not hold that title much longer, sources say.
Alyson Klein, August 8, 2017
1 min read
Every Student Succeeds Act What Happened to ESSA's Innovative Testing Pilot?
We hardly hear anything about ESSA's "innovative assessment pilot" any more, including from the U.S. Department of Education.
Alyson Klein, August 8, 2017
3 min read
Federal Five Big Things at Stake for Educators in GOP's Quest for Tax Reform
Republicans in Congress want to get a major tax-reform package done, and if they're successful, it could have big ramifications for teachers and state and local school funding across the country.
Andrew Ujifusa, August 7, 2017
4 min read
Every Student Succeeds Act DeVos Team Responds to District of Columbia and Illinois ESSA Plans
The feds' response to those two states represent the first time the U.S. Department of Education has provided feedback since it announced changes to the ESSA review process.
Andrew Ujifusa, August 4, 2017
2 min read
Federal Will Betsy DeVos Set a High Bar for Approving ESSA Plans? Watch Michigan
Michigan's ESSA plan has been sharply criticized by various observers, but other factors could lead DeVos and her team to approve it any way.
Alyson Klein, August 4, 2017
3 min read
Every Student Succeeds Act ESSA's New High School Testing Flexibility: What's the Catch?
Allowing districts to use the SAT or ACT for high school accountability under the Every Student Succeeds Act may be more complicated than it appears.
Alyson Klein, August 3, 2017
2 min read
Federal Congress Set to Decide if Children Can Be Locked Up for Skipping School
The bipartisan legislation also puts a greater emphasis on screening and treatment for those with mental health issues, as well as retaining educational records of young people in detention centers.
Andrew Ujifusa, August 3, 2017
1 min read
School Choice & Charters How a Savings Program Could Be Used to Expand School Choice
School choice supporters could push to allow parents to save for private school the same way many save for college: through 529 plans, which offer tax advantages.
Alyson Klein, August 2, 2017
3 min read
Every Student Succeeds Act Betsy DeVos Approves Delaware's ESSA Plan, After Blowback
Initial feedback on the state's plan had some key people in Washington worried the Trump Education Department was overstepping the bounds of the law.
Alyson Klein, August 1, 2017
3 min read
Federal DeVos Team Clarifies Rules for Evidence in ESSA School Turnaround Plans
The U.S. Department of Education has laid out final regulations for how states and districts must link school turnaround strategies to research evidence.
Andrew Ujifusa, August 1, 2017
1 min read