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 This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: state policy, state legislatures, state superintendents, and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.
Budget & Finance
Pa. Lawmakers Propose New School Funding Formula, as Tax Hikes Loom
The formula would provide additional funding for individual students from low-income backgrounds, as well as for students in districts with large concentrations of poverty.
Law & Courts
La. Court Rules Against Gov. Bobby Jindal's Bid to Stop Common-Core Testing
A Louisiana court has ruled against Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal in his attempt to block state testing aligned with the Common Core State Standards.
Federal
Johnny on the Spot: Ohio Gov. Kasich, Common Core, and the 2016 Campaign
Unlike fellow Republican Jeb Bush, Ohio Gov. John Kasich is a sitting public official and common-core supporter who has parried a variety of attacks on the standards.
States
Big K-12 Dog Off the Porch: Jeb Bush Enters 2016 Race With Long Policy C.V.
Bush, who served two terms as Florida governor before leaving the office in 2007, has perhaps the most extensive and complicated track record in education among all the Republican candidates.
States
K-12 Funding Compromise Approved by Minn. Gov. Mark Dayton in Special Session
The final budget allocates a $525 million increase for public schools, compared to the $400 million increase legislators sent the governor in a budget he vetoed in May.
Standards & Accountability
Arkansas Board Rejects Switch From PARCC to ACT, Defying Gov. Hutchinson
The Arkansas Times reported that the board's 7-1 vote not to switch to the ACT Aspire test for 2015-16 school year was a "surprising rebuke" of Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
Standards & Accountability
We Say 'Opt Out,' You Say ... Our Commentary Team on Testing Pushback
The great Commentary team at Education Week has put together a comprehensive package on perhaps the most controversial political movement in education right now.
Education Funding
N.J. High Court Slams 'Broken Promises,' But Lets State Skip Pension Payments
In its majority opinion, the New Jersey Supreme Court stated, "[T]he Judiciary is ill-suited to enter into the political decision making that accompanies the balancing of competing spending priorities."
States
Reading, Common Core, and Choice: Dissecting Gov. Walker's Education C.V.
Gov. Scott Walker was keen to tout his K-12 record in Wisconsin in a recent Iowa newspaper. But what are the facts, and how does the Badger State stack up to the nation?
Standards & Accountability
Red Light, Green Light: How Integrated Are States' College-Readiness Policies?
Do high schools' course requirements match up with minimum admissions standards in states' higher education systems? And do all states even have definitions of "college ready"?
States
Arkansas Poised to Drop PARCC's Common-Core Test in Favor of ACT
Arkansas was one of 10 states, along with the District of Columbia, to use the PARCC test in the 2014-15 school year.
Budget & Finance
Nation's 'Disinvestment' in Public Schools Is Crippling Poor Students, Reports Say
Are prominent school funding advocates satisfied that states are now giving schools robust and well-targeted financial support? Not even close.
Standards & Accountability
Hello McFly, One More Time: South Carolina's 1998 Standards Push
Back in 1998, South Carolina decided to give its new standards some bite by holding students and schools more accountable through standardized tests.
States
Missouri Drops Smarter Balanced Common-Core Exam
A provision of the state education budget signed by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon would cut off funding for the Smarter Balanced exam and require a new test for the next school year.