States Blog

State EdWatch

This blog covered state education policy, tracking governors, legislatures, state schools chiefs, and political developments. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: state policy, state legislatures, state superintendents, and governors.

Education Charters, Vouchers, ESAs Add Heat to State Legislative Debates
At least 35 states this year have considered creating or expanding vouchers, Education Savings Accounts and charter schools as a way to save money and improve academic outcomes.
Daarel Burnette II, May 2, 2017
3 min read
Education ESSA's 'Stakeholder Engagement' Clause Continues to Roil State Power Brokers
Spats have broken out in states including Michigan, Wisconsin, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Montana over the content of states' plans under the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Daarel Burnette II, May 1, 2017
3 min read
Education California's New Funding Formula Still Faces Hurdles, According to Report
Local leaders welcome the new money and spending freedom, but a sampling of districts finds issues with oversight and confusion on the part of administrators, a research collaborative finds.
Daarel Burnette II, April 28, 2017
4 min read
Every Student Succeeds Act Why the Flurry of State Action to Overhaul K-12 Funding?
A large number of states this year seek to upend their funding formulas because of budget shortfalls, rising Medicaid costs, and new flexibility under ESSA.
Daarel Burnette II, April 26, 2017
4 min read
Education Funding Despite Missed Revenue Projections, State K-12 Spending Remains Priority
Eight years out of the recession, more than 29 states missed last fiscal year's revenue forecast, resulting in flat K-12 spending proposals and some revenue soul-searching.
Daarel Burnette II, April 25, 2017
4 min read
Education Kansas and Washington Lumber Toward School Funding Fixes
Legislatures in Washington resort to special sessions in an effort to satisfy court rulings striking down their K-12 funding systems.
Daarel Burnette II, April 24, 2017
3 min read
Education How Have ESSA-Related Bills Fared in State Legislatures So Far This Year?
As states gear up for the Every Student Succeeds Act, there's been a flood of legislation in areas including accountability systems and testing.
Daarel Burnette II, April 21, 2017
2 min read
Education Could ESSA Pit School Communities Against One Another For Money?
The Every Student Succeeds Act requires states to report per-pupil spending by school, a number many financial gurus say is often elusive for even district superintendents.
Daarel Burnette II, April 19, 2017
3 min read
Education Indiana Bill Would Make Ed. Chief's Position Appointed Rather Than Elected
The state is one of just 13 where the job is elected rather than appointed. Opponents say that's made education debates especially politically combative.
Daarel Burnette II, April 17, 2017
3 min read
States Education is 'High Priority,' Says New Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey
Just days after Robert Bentley's resignation, his replacement, Gov. Kay Ivey, showed up at the state's board meeting Thursday to say, "education is the foundation for economic development."
Daarel Burnette II, April 14, 2017
1 min read
Every Student Succeeds Act Alabama Governor Who Said State's Schools 'Suck' Resigns
A task force appointed by Gov. Robert Bentley, a Republican, had led the creation of that state's ESSA plan, but its website has now been taken down.
Daarel Burnette II, April 12, 2017
3 min read
Education Lawsuits Seek to Broaden Meaning of 'Adequate,' 'Equitable' Education
Some lawyers are arguing that "adequate" and "equitable" education means more than just money, creating a challenge for state legislatures and state courts.
Daarel Burnette II, April 10, 2017
5 min read
Education Maryland Legislature Overrides Veto of Bill Clipping State Board's Wings on ESSA
Maryland is one of several states where bills have been proposed that dictate the content of state accountability plans under the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Daarel Burnette II, April 6, 2017
2 min read
Education Tony Evers Re-Elected as Wisconsin Superintendent
Charter schools, vouchers, and the state's financial support of its traditional public school sector became centerpiece issues in Wisconsin's nonpartisan contest for state schools chief.
Daarel Burnette II, April 5, 2017
1 min read