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 This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: state policy, state legislatures, state superintendents, and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
W. Va. Governor Fires Sen. Joe Manchin's Wife From State Education Post
The legislature sent a proposal last week to Gov. Jim Justice's desk to shutter the state's advisory education and the arts department, leaving the Gayle Manchin and her staff in the lurch.
Education
Washington Legislature Sends Long-Awaited K-12 Funding Fix to Governor
The $750 million in extra funding aims to satisfy the state's supreme court, which last year threatened sanctions including shutting down the schools unless teacher pay is raised.
Every Student Succeeds Act
DeVos Tongue-Lashing Sets Back States' ESSA Messaging
State education officials already were working to counter criticism of their Every Student Succeeds Act plans even before the education secretary levied her own critiques this week.
Education
Betsy DeVos Rips State ESSA Plans in 'Tough Love' Speech to Chiefs
The U.S. secretary of education said states' Every Student Succeeds Act plans aren't ambitious or innovative enough and fail to take full advantage of the law's flexibility.
Education
Florida Gov. Rick Scott Seeks More School Resource Officers in Wake of Shooting
The governor also is proposing to ban gun sales to anyone under 21, put metal detectors, bulletproof glass, and steel doors in schools, and hire more mental health counselors.
Every Student Succeeds Act
Seventeen States Get More Time on Their ESSA Plans
The states told federal education officials they needed more time to address concerns raised about applications that still await approval by the Education Department.
Education
State Chiefs at Conference Tout Equity Policies in ESSA Plans
State education departments and some advocacy groups have previously sparred over whether their ESSA plans assure equity between white students and students of color.
Education
Poll: The Majority of California Parents Like New State Report Card
A new poll conducted by USC and Policy Analysis for California Education says that the majority of parents like the state's controversial redesigned report card.
Education
Utah Will Ask for Test Participation Waiver From ESSA
Utah's state board members said last week that they support its state's test participation law which conflicts with the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Education
Betsy DeVos' ESSA Feedback, Approvals, Cause More Consternation in States
Many state politicians and advocates used U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos' recent feedback as an opportunity to attack their states' approach to the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Education
Connecticut Supreme Court Strikes Down School-Funding Case
The court said it was not its place to tell the legislature how to spend state dollars on schools so that the state's poor students' performance improves.
Education Funding
California Gov. Brown Proposes $4 Billion Boost for Schools and More Local Control
In his last term in office, Gov. Jerry Brown wants to boost local officials' ability to improve schools and fully fund the state's funding formula two years ahead of schedule.
Education
In Multiple States, Officials Demand Tougher School-Spending Oversight
Legislators and governors are demanding that school district spending be more closely monitored as states pick up the majority of K-12 costs, academic gains stall, and states look to upend funding formulas.
Education
From Our Research Center
The Nation Spends $649 Billion on K-12. How Much Does Your State Spend?
A new report says federal, state, and local spending on education was up in 2015 by 3 percent but many local school districts still face budget cuts and rising costs.