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 This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: Federal, States.

Images shows a data trend line climbing high and going low.
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
Federal Citing Pandemic, Ed. Dept. Will Collect School Civil Rights Data for Two Consecutive Years
The unprecedented step of collecting the trove of data two years in a row reflects equity concerns stemming from COVID-19's impact.
Evie Blad, August 13, 2021
3 min read
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott gives his State of the State Address in the House Chamber in Austin, Texas, on Feb. 5, 2019.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has sought to bar districts from universally requiring masks in schools.
Eric Gay/AP
States Mask Mandates Put 'Local Control' of Schools to the Test
Fights between states and school districts aren't new, but stark differences on masking present new tests.
Andrew Ujifusa, August 11, 2021
8 min read
In this June 23, 2020 photo, Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-NY, speaks during a campaign event in New York.
U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., a former middle school principal, is pressing for more support for community schools in order to meet families' needs.
Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AP
Federal Progressives Pressure Biden to Help Schools Address Student Homelessness
Some Democrats in Congress say federal officials must promote cooperation across agencies to help children and families in unstable housing.
Andrew Ujifusa, August 11, 2021
3 min read
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, arrives for an event with President Joe Biden on the coronavirus in the State Dinning Room of the White House on Jan. 21, 2021.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, arrives for an event on the coronavirus in January.
Alex Brandon/AP
Federal Fauci Backs Teacher Vaccine Mandates: 'We Are in a Critical Situation Now'
The nation's chief epidemiologist said such mandates for teacher COVID-19 vaccinations would not be set at the federal level.
Evie Blad, August 10, 2021
2 min read
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten has called the coronavirus Delta virus "alarming."
Cliff Owen/AP
Teaching Profession AFT President Randi Weingarten Backs COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates for Teachers
As strife around school reopening surges, the teachers' union head says increasing vaccinations is paramount.
Andrew Ujifusa, August 8, 2021
3 min read
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson takes off his face mask as he arrives for a daily coronavirus briefing at the state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark. on April 27, 2020. Hutchinson signed a bill in April banning statewide and local mask mandates in Arkansas, but he is now considering rolling back that law amid concerns of the highly transmissible Delta variant of COVID-19.
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson takes off his face mask as he arrives for a daily coronavirus briefing at the state Capitol in Little Rock in April.
Staton Breidenthal/Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP
States Arkansas Judge Pauses Ban on School Mask Mandates After Lawmakers Fail to Act
As Arkansas sees soaring rates of COVID-19, school districts will—at least for now—be able to set their own local mask requirements.
Evie Blad, August 6, 2021
3 min read
Image of an eviction notice.
Michael Burrell/iStock/Getty
Federal New Eviction Moratorium Doesn't End Fears About Students and Homelessness Amid COVID
A CDC order for families experiencing housing instability could last until October, but experts worry about what students and schools face.
Andrew Ujifusa, August 6, 2021
6 min read
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona talks with Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott after a tour of Graceland Park-O'Donnell Heights Elementary Middle School in Baltimore on Aug. 4, 2021.
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona talks with Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott after a tour of Graceland Park-O'Donnell Heights Elementary Middle School in Baltimore this week.
Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun via TNS
Federal Cardona Admonishes Governors Who Ban Mask Mandates, Says 'All Teachers' Want Schools Open
At a White House press conference, the education secretary said schools have sufficient resources and experience to operate safely.
Andrew Ujifusa, August 5, 2021
5 min read
080321 Broward School Board Mask Protest TNS BS
A group of mask opponents speak outside during a Broward County School Board meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., last week.
Carline Jean/Sun Sentinel
States States Pressured to Rethink Bans on School Mask Mandates as COVID Delta Variant Surges
Masks are a key tool for COVID-19 prevention, but many states have banned schools from requiring them. Some are rethinking those policies.
Evie Blad, August 3, 2021
7 min read
Image of a student holding a mask and a backpack near the entrance of a classroom.
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Federal As New COVID Concerns Emerge, Biden Administration Keeps Focus on School Reopenings
Amid new COVID-19 concerns, the Biden administration kept its focus on in-person learning, stressing the need for safety precautions.
Evie Blad, August 2, 2021
2 min read
President Joe Biden speaks in the South Court Auditorium on the White House campus, Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Washington.
President Joe Biden speaks in the South Court Auditorium on the White House campus on June 2.
Evan Vucci/AP
Federal Biden Calls on Schools to Host COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics for Kids 12 and Up
The president is focusing on vaccinating children ages 12 and older as concerns grow about the Delta variant and its impact on schools.
Andrew Ujifusa, July 29, 2021
2 min read
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Pratya Vuttapanit/iStock/Getty
Education Funding School Infrastructure Funding in Flux as Senators Advance Package Funding Electric Buses
Groups are warning school infrastructure could get shortchanged as Democrats negotiate a sweeping $3.5 trillion budget deal.
Andrew Ujifusa, July 29, 2021
5 min read
Image of the Capitol.
iStock/Getty
Education Funding The Fight Over Charter School Funding in Washington, Explained
Tensions between some Democrats in Congress and charter school backers have reached a new level over proposed restrictions on federal aid.
Andrew Ujifusa, July 28, 2021
6 min read
Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., is seen at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on March 9, 2021 in Washington.
Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., is seen at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on March 9, 2021 in Washington.<br/>
Graeme Sloan/SIPA USA via AP
Federal How Political Backlash to Critical Race Theory Reached School Reopening Guidance
A lawmaker wants Miguel Cardona to repudiate the Abolitionist Teaching Network after federal COVID-19 documents referenced the group's work.
Andrew Ujifusa, July 23, 2021
6 min read