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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 This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: Federal, States.

Federal Biden-Sanders Task Force: Pay Teachers More, Treat Them Like Frontline Workers
End "high-stakes" tests. Keep guns out of schools. Triple Title I aid. A report from a task force convened by Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders touches on these and other potential education priorities for Democrats in 2020.
Andrew Ujifusa, July 8, 2020
3 min read
Education White House to States: Reopen School Buildings or Risk Additional Relief Funds
The White House will seek to condition future COVID-19 relief funds on whether states' reopen school buildings, Vice President Mike Pence said Wednesday. The Trump administration launched an aggressive push to reopen after many states have already announced plans.
Evie Blad, July 8, 2020
9 min read
Education State Guidance on Reopening Schools: A Roundup
To help you better understand your state's plan for reopening schools, Education Week is collecting links to state guides as they become available.
Education Week Staff, July 8, 2020
1 min read
Education Confederate-Named Schools Honor 'Racist Past,' Virginia Governor Says
Public and private schools named for leaders of the Confederacy have come under renewed scrutiny amid the national Black Lives Matter protests.
Corey Mitchell, July 8, 2020
1 min read
Federal White House Ratchets Up Political Pressure to Reopen School Buildings
President Donald Trump made his most forceful push yet for schools to reopen their buildings, and he is seeking to leverage the issue for his re-election campaign.
Evie Blad, July 7, 2020
7 min read
Education States Sue to Stop DeVos Rule on Virus Aid for Private School Students
Several states have announced a legal challenge to overturn a recently published rule from Education Secretary Betsy DeVos about how much federal coronavirus relief public school districts must set aside for private school students.
Andrew Ujifusa, July 7, 2020
4 min read
Federal Congress' Think Tank Casts Doubt on DeVos Push to Aid Private School Students
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos' push to direct coronavirus relief to private school students in general doesn't match "the most straightforward reading" of the CARES Act, according to the Congressional Research Service.
Andrew Ujifusa, July 7, 2020
4 min read
Federal House Bill Would Boost K-12 Aid by Over $500 Million, but Cut Charter School Fund
The spending bill for the next fiscal year from House Democrats would increase spending on a host of Education Department programs, but don't expect a deal on the federal budget for at least a few months.
Andrew Ujifusa, July 7, 2020
3 min read
Budget & Finance What to Watch for in Any New Coronavirus Bailout for Schools
Schools are at the epicenter of America's anxiety, making it more likely that Congress will approve a new coronavirus bailout for schools. Here are 10 potential key elements of a COVID bailout.
Andrew Ujifusa, July 6, 2020
8 min read
Federal Joe Biden: I Will Have a 'Teacher-Oriented Department of Education'
In an address to the National Education Association, Joe Biden promised that if he is elected president, teachers will have more say in how education decisions are made.
Madeline Will, July 3, 2020
5 min read
Budget & Finance Trump Team Signals Support for More School Relief, Private School Choice Plan
As Trump officials voiced support for additional aid for K-12 schools, opponents criticized a report that the White House will push for a private school choice plan in the next relief package.
Evie Blad, July 2, 2020
4 min read
Education CDC Does Not Recommend Schools Test All Students, Staff for Coronavirus
New federal coronavirus guidance does not recommend universal testing of all students and staff in K-12 schools, an idea that has been floated as educators and policymakers seek ways to safely return students to their classrooms.
Evie Blad, July 2, 2020
3 min read
Federal Democrats Push Big Education and Child Care Virus Relief Packages
There's growing pressure for schools to resume in-person instruction this fall as concerns intensify about school closures' impact on children, parents, and the economy.
Andrew Ujifusa, June 30, 2020
3 min read
School Choice & Charters What the Supreme Court's Ruling on Religious Schools Means in Practice
Groups on all sides of the debate over private school choice agree that a U.S. Supreme Court ruling will be tremendously consequential. But it may take some time for the ripple effects to spread.
Evie Blad, June 30, 2020
7 min read