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 This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: state policy, state legislatures, state superintendents, and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
Educators, Advocates Chase Political Office in Several States
In Arkansas, Ohio, and Wisconsin, educators and advocates will be on this year's ballot for governor, a position that will inevitably have an outsized role in shaping education policy.
Education
N.Y. Governor to Lawmakers: End 'Lunch Shaming' of Low-Income Students
In his annual State of the State address, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he'd propose this year to increase funding for school lunch programs and punish administrators who shame students who can't afford lunch.
Education
Michigan Supreme Court Decision Lands School Employees $554M in Backpay
The court ordered the state to return $554 million to the nearly 275,000 public school staff members who had funds withheld funds in order to pay down retirees' health-care costs.
States
Opening Gavel: Your Guide to States' 2018 Legislative Sessions
All but three states will hold legislative sessions this year, and issues such as accountability plans under the Every Student Succeeds Act, school funding, and school choice are up for debate.
Education
States Dependent on Natural Resources Face Tricky Path on K-12 Revenue
Governors in several natural resource-dependent states said recently they will have to continue to cut public education funding because prices for oil and coal have not rebounded.
Education
Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations, Pennsylvania State Board Chair Resigns
Several women told local newspapers that Pennsylvania state board chair Larry Wittig pursued sexual relationships with them when they were teenagers.
Education
Utah Ruling Highlights Sticky Issue of Partisan School Board Elections
In Florida, Indiana, Kansas, North Carolina, Tennessee and Utah, Republicans are arguing that candidates for local and state school boards should run on party tickets.
Education
Tax-Averse Legislators in Kansas, Oklahoma Scramble for Education Dollars
Amid severe budget shortfalls, Republican leaders in Kansas and Oklahoma said in recent days that they refuse to raise taxes despite severe implications for those states' public schools.
Education
Washington Gov. Aims to Raid State Savings to Satisfy K-12 Funding Order
The state's supreme court said recently it will ramp up its sanctions on the state if it doesn't sooner comply with a 2012 ruling to increase teacher pay.
Education
Education Advocates Already Filing to Run in 2018 State Elections
Already, some educators and prominent education advocates have entered their names into the running for of the many 2018 state races around the country where education policy is likely to be a hot topic.
Education
Layoffs Will Hurt ESSA Implementation, State Education Leaders Say
A series of staffing cuts have prevented state departments from complying with components of the Every Student Succeeds Act, state chiefs said in a recently released survey.
Education
Missouri State Chief Fired in What Supporter Calls 'Political Power Grab'
Republican Gov. Eric Greitens has criticized State Education Commissioner Margie Vandeven for her stance on school choice and the state's stagnant test scores.
Education
K-12 Spending in Most States Still Far Below Pre-Recession Levels, Report Says
K-12 spending in at least 29 states remains far below what it was before the recession hit in 2007, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities says.
States
Fighting to Close Budget Hole, Oklahoma Again Debates Teacher Pay, Consolidation
Oklahoma's school spending habits have long been the focus of political battles, and the legislature will soon enter a third special session to debate its budget.