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 This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: state policy, state legislatures, state superintendents, and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.
States
Montana Lets Schools Cancel Smarter Balanced Testing After Technical Woes
Montana Superintendent Denise Juneau said it would be "in the best interest of our students" to let districts cancel Smarter Balanced testing if necessary.
States
New District Liability for School Violence Mulled by Colorado Lawmakers
A school shooting at a Colorado high school in 2013 has spurred a proposal to lower the threshold for districts' liability in such cases, but local K-12 officials are critical of the idea.
States
Last Days for Illinois K-12 Chief Koch? Governor Seeks 'Transformational' Leader
Gov. Bruce Rauner said that while he likes Christopher Koch, the state needs a new K-12 leader, and the state school board could be ready to pick one.
Law & Courts
How Fair Is the Proposed Overhaul to Texas School Spending?
The lead K-12 budget writer in the Texas House of Representatives wants to change how schools in the second-largest state by enrollment are funded. How does his plan look?
Education Funding
Where's the GOP Pushback to Wisc. Gov. Walker's K-12 Agenda?
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is pushing for cuts to K-12 spending and other policy changes in his biennial budget, but how are his various priorities progressing in the legislature?
States
Florida Votes to Cut Tests, Lower Exams' Weight in Teacher Evaluations
The passage of the bill is the culmination of months of pressure in Florida to reduce the amount of testing as well as its consequences students, teachers and schools.
States
Louisiana Chief: Jindal Using Budget Cuts to Hamstring Common-Core Testing
Superintendent John White has told lawmakers that Gov. Bobby Jindal's proposed budget cut would undermine the state's testing program and cause "chaos" for the state's public schools.
Standards & Accountability
N.Y. Regents Boss Claims Too Many Opt-Outs Will Force State Into 'National Test'
N.Y. Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch recently claimed that a high testing opt-out rate would force the state into switching tests, but does it hold water?
States
What Are Some Juicy State-Policy Tidbits From the Senate ESEA Rewrite?
Key state-level groups are applauding the U.S. Senate's proposed rewrite of federal education law unveiled on April 7. What are some details?
States
Fla. Senate OKs Testing Reduction; State Common-Core Exam's Validity Questioned
On April 3, senators voted to place a 45-hour cap on the amount of time students could spend on state-authorized, standardized tests every year.
Student Achievement
Hello McFly! What Ever Happened to Kentucky's Landmark 1990 K-12 Law?
In 1990, Kentucky adopted a sweeping K-12 policy overhaul to fix what the state Supreme Court ruled the previous year was an invalid system of public schools.
States
Four States Could Begin Preschool Programs This Year; More Early-Ed News
Alaska, Idaho, Montana, and South Dakota could begin offering state preschool services this year, while Texas and Oregon are also considering major initiatives in early education.
Standards & Accountability
Kentucky Chief Terry Holliday, Key Common-Core Leader, to Retire
Terry Holliday, who has served as the Bluegrass State's top K-12 official since 2009, announced that he will retire from his post on Aug. 31.
States
Few States Using Tests to Guide Instruction for High School Seniors
The Education Commission of the States, which maintains a powerful database of state policies on a host of education policies, waded into the question of how states are using those tests to measure college readiness