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ESSA. Congress. State chiefs. School spending. Elections. Education Week reporters keep watch on education policy and politics in the nation’s capital and in the states.

Thermometers, gloves, and cleaning swabs sit on a table at the entrance to the Frederickson KinderCare daycare center, in Tacoma, Wash on May 27, 2020.
Thermometers, gloves, and cleaning swabs sit on a table at the entrance to the Frederickson KinderCare daycare center, in Tacoma, Wash on May 27, 2020. As a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus, workers and children have their temperatures checked every day before they enter the building.
Ted S. Warren/AP
Education Funding Concern About Unspent COVID-19 School Aid Continues as Congress Moves Toward More Relief
A congressional analysis has spurred discontent about how fast money will be spent, but some warn against over-simplifying the situation.
Andrew Ujifusa, February 24, 2021
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5 min read
Flags decorate a space outside the secretary's office at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington.
Flags decorate a space outside the secretary's office at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Assessment Biden's Testing Stance Leaves States Tough Choices. Some May Still Try to Avoid Exams
Whether to give tests in person this spring or even test students next school year instead, education leaders confront a complex path.
Andrew Ujifusa, Evie Blad & Sarah Schwartz, February 23, 2021
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12 min read
Image of students taking a test.
smolaw11/iStock/Getty
Assessment States Still Must Give Standardized Tests This Year, Biden Administration Announces
But the administration says it would allow states to give tests in the summer or use partial exams due to challenges related to COVID-19.
Andrew Ujifusa, February 22, 2021
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3 min read
President Joe Biden answers questions during a televised town hall event at Pabst Theater in Milwaukee on Feb. 16, 2021.
President Joe Biden answers questions during a televised town hall event in Milwaukee earlier this month.
Evan Vucci/AP
Federal President Biden Is Walking a 'Careful Tightrope' When It Comes to School Reopenings
CDC guidance and confusion over his rhetoric turn up the pressure, and could overshadow progress in schools and nuanced public opinion.
Andrew Ujifusa, February 19, 2021
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9 min read
Image of a coronavirus test swab.
The White House announced new money to help schools test students and staff for COVID-19, but it said more aid is necessary to scale up those efforts.
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Federal White House Unveils New Money to Aid COVID-19 Testing in Schools, But Says More Is Needed
Federal agencies will use $650 million to expand testing in schools and "underserved communities" such as homeless shelters.
Evie Blad, February 17, 2021
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2 min read
02172021 Chris Murphy
Andrew Harnik/AP-File
Federal Q&A To Help Traumatized Students This Summer, Let Them Play, Sen. Chris Murphy Says in Q&A
A member of the Senate education committee, Murphy also discussed new CDC guidance and student testing in an Education Week interview.
Andrew Ujifusa, February 17, 2021
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8 min read
President-elect Joe Biden speaks at The Queen Theater on Dec. 29, 2020, in Wilmington, Del.
Then President-elect Joe Biden speaks at The Queen Theater on Dec. 29, 2020, in Wilmington, Del.
Andrew Harnik/AP
Federal Disowning Past White House Remarks, Biden Says He Wants Many Schools Open Five Days a Week
In a CNN town hall, the president said smaller class sizes and protective equipment for those in schools would help schools reopen.
Andrew Ujifusa, February 16, 2021
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3 min read
The CDC's New COVID-19 Guidance for Schools, Explained
Federal Video Watch: The CDC's New COVID-19 Guidance for Schools, Explained
The CDC released new guidance for schools on how to conduct in-person learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. This video explains more.
Evie Blad, February 16, 2021
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3 min read
Students at Louisa County High School in Mineral, Va., sit behind plexiglass dividers to promote social distancing.
Students at Louisa County High School in Mineral, Va., sit behind Plexiglas dividers. Virginia lawmakers are considering a bill that would require all school districts to offer in-person instruction with COVID-19 precautions.
Erin Edgerton/The Daily Progress via AP
States Governors, State Lawmakers: Schools Should Reopen for In-Person Learning
After months of leaving the decision up to districts, state leaders are taking a more direct role in getting students back in classrooms.
Evie Blad, February 11, 2021
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10 min read
Education secretary nominee Miguel Cardona speaks during a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on the nomination on Feb. 3, 2021, in Washington.
Education secretary nominee Miguel Cardona speaks during a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on the nomination on Feb. 3, 2021, in Washington.
Anna Moneymaker/The New York Times via AP
Federal Miguel Cardona Takes Key Step Forward in Drama-Free Senate Committee Vote
President Joe Biden's nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Education has moved closer toward clinching the job.
Andrew Ujifusa, February 11, 2021
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1 min read
White House press secretary Jen Psaki speaks during a press briefing at the White House on Feb. 9, 2021.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki speaks during a press briefing at the White House on Feb. 9.
Patrick Semansky/AP
Federal Is Biden Lowering the Bar for What 'Reopening Schools' Means?
Comments by the White House press secretary Feb. 9 raise questions about the Biden administration's ambitions concerning in-person classes.
Andrew Ujifusa, February 9, 2021
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5 min read
A staff member holds the door open for kids on the first day of school at Goodwin Frazier Elementary School in New Braunfels, Texas on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020.
A staff member holds the door open for kids on the first day of school at Goodwin Frazier Elementary School in New Braunfels, Texas on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020.
Mikala Compton/Herald-Zeitung via AP
Education Funding Summer School, Extended Learning a Priority in $129 Billion COVID-19 Relief Bill
The reconciliation bill from House Democrats is an early attempt at what's shaping up to be a new federal aid package for education.
Andrew Ujifusa, February 8, 2021
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5 min read
Image of coronavirus and data.
Getty
Federal Education Department Details New Survey to Explore COVID-19's Effects on Students
A first-of-its-kind federal data collection will give updates on in-person schooling and other education indicators related to the pandemic.
Evie Blad, February 5, 2021
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2 min read
Federal New Biden Education Staffers Arrive Via Gates Foundation, K-12 Reform Group, Sen. Sanders
The latest round of appointees to the Education Department includes some policy insiders, but there's no single trend or direction so far.
Andrew Ujifusa, February 5, 2021
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5 min read
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