Policy & Politics

Education news, analysis, and opinion about the legislation, guidance, policies and people involved in federal and state government
States The K-12 Issues That Top Governors' Agendas
Governors' priorities include early literacy, career education, and teacher recruitment.
Evie Blad
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7 min read
Federal Ed. Dept. Moves to Shutter Its Office for English Learners
Officials plan to move all federal English-learner programs and duties out of a standalone office.
Ileana Najarro
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6 min read
Law & Courts Minn. Districts Ask Judge to Restore Immigration Enforcement Limits by Schools
Two districts say the policy change hurt attendance and cost them students.
The Associated Press
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3 min read
Law & Courts Supreme Court to Consider Whether Catholic Preschools Can Reject LGBTQ+ Families
Catholic preschools say Colorado violated religious rights by excluding them from a state-funded program over admission policies.
The Associated Press
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2 min read
Image of the Supreme Court in the background, an LGBTQ flag waving, and symbols of wedding rings with a male and female sign incorporated in the ring shapes.
Laura Baker/Education Week + Canva
States 'Not Our Job': Principals Decry a Proposal to Track Student Immigration Status
A principals group has publicly opposed efforts to require schools to track immigration status.
Ileana Najarro
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5 min read
Democratic Senator Raumesh Akbari hugs a young demonstrator as people gather to protest an immigration bill outside the Senate chamber at the state Capitol Thursday, in Nashville, Tenn. The bill would allow public school systems in Tennessee to require K-12 students without legal status in the country to pay tuition or face denial of enrollment, which is a challenge to the federal law requiring all children be provided a free public education regardless of legal immigration status.
Democratic state Sen. Raumesh Akbari hugs a young demonstrator as people protest an immigration bill outside the Senate chamber at the state Capitol on April 10, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. The legislation is part of a broader push in Tennessee to require schools to collect students’ immigration status, raising concerns among educators about trust, access, and compliance with federal law.
John Amis/AP
States A State With a Short School Year Wants to Stop the 'Bleeding' of Classroom Time
A new order aims to discourage districts from reducing instructional hours to fill budget gaps.
Mark Walsh
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4 min read
A teacher and rising kindergarten students at Vose Elementary in Beaverton during story time on April 16, 2026. Gov. Tina Kotek asked the State Board of Education on Thursday to prohibit school districts from using student-contact days as furlough days to balance budgets, in order to preserve instructional time.
Story time in a kindergarten class at Vose Elementary School in Beaverton, Ore., on April 16, 2026. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has issued an executive order in hopes of blocking any further erosion of instructional time in a state that has one of the shortest school years in the country.
Mark Graves/The Oregonian via TNS
Law & Courts Opinion Why the Supreme Court’s Ruling on Conversion Therapy Matters for Schools
A recent case puts religiously motivated speech ahead of the well-being of LGBTQ+ youth.
Jonathon E. Sawyer
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5 min read
lgbtq student backpack with rainbow spectrum flag on stairs isolated
Education Week + iStock/Getty

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Thu., May 14, 2026, 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. ET
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Find teaching jobs and K-12 education jubs at the EdWeek Top School Jobs virtual career fair.
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Fri., April 24, 2026, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
Education Funding Webinar Congress Approved Next Year’s Federal School Funding. What’s Next?
Congress passed the budget, but uncertainty remains. Experts explain what districts should expect from federal education policy next.
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More Policy & Politics

  • Bryan Najera holds a sign during a House Education K-12 subcommittee meeting Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.
    Bryan Najera holds a sign during a House Education K-12 subcommittee meeting Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. Tennessee lawmakers are debating amended legislation, originally introduced last year, to collect students' immigration information.
    George Walker IV/AP
    States A State Gets Closer to Challenging Undocumented Students' Free Access to School
    Lawmakers are debating legislation that would require schools to collect immigration information.
    Ileana Najarro, March 27, 2026
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    4 min read
    The U.S. Department of Education building is pictured on Oct. 24, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
    The U.S. Department of Education building is pictured on Oct. 24, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The agency said Thursday it will move to a different building starting this summer.
    Maansi Srivastava for Education Week
    Federal Trump Administration to Move Dept. of Ed. Out of Its Longtime Offices
    The move follows a year of efforts to dismantle the federal agency.
    Sean Cavanagh, March 26, 2026
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    2 min read
    A woman embraces her child outside a House hearing room during protests against a bill that would allow public and charter schools to deny immigrant students from enrolling for classes in Nashville, Tenn., March 11, 2025.
    A woman embraces her child outside a hearing room at the Tennessee State Capitol during protests against a bill that would have allowed public and charter schools to deny immigrant students from enrolling in school, in Nashville, Tenn., on March 11, 2025. Lawmakers are expected to vote on an amended version of the bill that would require schools to collect students' immigration status information.
    George Walker IV/AP
    Federal Q&A Why the Heritage Foundation Is Targeting Plyler v. Doe
    Lora Ries explains how the Supreme Court could overturn the 1982 Plyler v. Doe decision.
    Ileana Najarro, March 26, 2026
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    4 min read
    DSC 4497
    WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 24: National arts education leaders, advocates, and policymakers gather for a couple of hours at the University Club on March 24, 2026 in Washington.
    Marvin Joseph for Education Week
    Education Funding Arts Education Advocates Talk About How to Elevate Their Discipline
    Art education community members come together to discuss funding challenges and opportunities.
    Jennifer Vilcarino, March 26, 2026
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    3 min read
    President Donald Trump shakes hands with Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin during his swearing-in in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Washington.
    President Donald Trump shakes hands with Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin during his swearing-in on March 24, 2026, in Washington.
    Alex Brandon/AP
    Federal Opinion What Our Students Deserve From New Homeland Security Secretary Mullin
    The National Academy of Education calls for policy changes to ensure safer learning environments.
    National Academy of Education Board of Directors, March 25, 2026
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    5 min read
    First lady Melania Trump arrives, accompanied by a robot, to attend the "Fostering the Future Together Global Coalition Summit," with other first spouses, at the White House, Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Washington.
    First lady Melania Trump arrives, accompanied by a robot, to attend the "Fostering the Future Together Global Coalition Summit" with other first spouses at the White House on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Washington.
    Jacquelyn Martin/AP
    Federal Melania Trump Shares the Spotlight With a Robot at White House Education Event
    The humanoid robot Figure 03 made history as the first robot to walk the White House red carpet.
    The Associated Press, March 25, 2026
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    1 min read
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Resources

This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
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Professional Development Whitepaper The Three Cornerstones of Coaching Collaborative Teams in a PLC
This white paper introduces a powerful coaching framework built on Clarity, Feedback, and Support to help leaders strengthen collaboratio...
Content provided by Solution Tree
Assessment Spotlight Spotlight on Turning Spring Assessments Into Actionable Literacy Insights
Turn spring literacy scores into action! Learn how smarter data use, growth-focused grading, and instruction can drive real progress.
College & Workforce Readiness Spotlight Spotlight on College and Career Pathways Designed to Serve All Students
CTE is transforming career prep: AI, high-tech training, and real-world learning connect students to in-demand jobs and future-ready skills.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
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Recruitment & Retention Whitepaper Build a Community Where Teachers Thrive
Built for today’s school leaders, the ASU Prep Global Teacher Retention Playbook delivers proven, scalable strategies to attract, support...
Content provided by ASU Prep Global
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  • Three bibles sit on a couch on Nov. 24, 2025, in Brooklyn, New York.
    Three bibles sit on a couch on Nov. 24, 2025, in Brooklyn, New York. A selection of Bible stories could be part of a K-12 reading list being debated in Texas.
    David Crary/AP
    States Texas' Bible-Infused Reading List Gets an Earful at Public Hearing
    The proposal to add Bible stories reflects increasing debate over religion in public school classrooms.
    The Associated Press, April 8, 2026
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    4 min read
    A third-grade teacher at the Mountain View Elementary School's Global Immersion Academy in Morganton, N.C. works with her students in the Spanish portion of the program. With the inaugural class of the Global Immersion Academy (GIA) at at the school entering fourth grade this year, Burke County Public Schools is seeing more signs of success for its dual language program.
    A teacher in a North Carolina dual-language program works with her students. In his latest budget proposal, President Donald Trump once again proposes to eliminate the $890 million fund that pays for supplemental services for English learners. Schools can use Title III funds for costs tied to dual-language programs that educate English learners.
    Jason Koon/The News-Herald via AP
    Education Funding Trump's Budget Proposes Billions in K-12 Cuts. Will They Happen?
    Trump is proposing level funding for Title I, a modest boost for special education, and major cuts elsewhere.
    Mark Lieberman, April 7, 2026
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    6 min read
    The United States Capitol building as a bookcase filled with red, white, and blue policy books in a Washington DC landscape.
    Luca D'Urbino for Education Week
    School Choice & Charters Opinion Can School Choice Programs Stamp Out Fraud While Staying Flexible?
    With the rollout of the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program, transparency is vital.
    Rick Hess, April 7, 2026
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    7 min read
    AB Hernandez, a transgender student at Jurupa Valley High School, packs up her belongings under a canopy as athletes compete in the boys 4x800 meter relay at the California high school track-and-field championships in Clovis, Calif., Saturday, May 31, 2025.
    AB Hernandez, a transgender student at Jurupa Valley High School, packs up her belongings under a canopy as athletes compete at the California high school track-and-field championships in Clovis, Calif., on May 31, 2025. The Trump administration said Monday it has terminated agreements previous administrations reached with five school districts and a college aimed to uphold rights and protections for transgender students.
    Jae C. Hong/AP
    Federal Trump Admin. Terminates Several Agreements to Protect Transgender Students
    The Education Department terminated civil rights agreements under Title IX with five school districts and a college.
    The Associated Press, April 6, 2026
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    1 min read
    Tina Descovich poses for a portrait Monday, March 23, 2026, in Washington.
    Tina Descovich poses for a portrait Monday, March 23, 2026, in Washington. The co-founder of Moms for Liberty estimates she's been to the White House a dozen times since the start of the second Trump administration, which has leaned in to many of the culture war battles the organization started fighting at the school board level five years ago.
    Allison Robbert/AP
    Federal Moms for Liberty Wanted School Board Seats. They Got a Voice in the White House
    Moms for Liberty is being embraced by the Trump administration and gaining new influence in national decisions.
    The Associated Press, April 6, 2026
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    6 min read
    Illustration of a child with a backpack looking at game pieces and board from THE GAME OF LIFE.
    Laura Baker/Education Week + iStock
    States 'Success Sequence' Urges Marriage, Then Parenthood. These States Want Schools to Teach It
    The decades-old concept is getting new attention, largely from Republican lawmakers.
    Evie Blad, April 3, 2026
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    6 min read
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EdWeek Market Brief

Strategy & Operations Special Report State of the Industry 2026: Turning a Corner on Chaos to Find Stability and Growth
A new EdWeek Market Brief special report uncovers the worsening financial conditions many education companies are finding themselves in, while also finding growing levels of optimism for future sales.
Michelle Caffrey
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2 min read
Meeting District Needs K-12 Insider What K-12 Companies Should Know About District School Closure Efforts
Economic and population trends suggest districts may face school closures soon. Here's what a former superintendent says education companies should know about the difficult process.
Emma Kate Fittes
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9 min read
Education Market Tracker Curriculum Adoption Cycles: Which States Are Building Approved Lists?
A state-by-state look at which curriculum adoption cycles are up next, and which subjects will be up for review and approvals, tracked by EdWeek Market Brief
Emma Kate Fittes & Maya Riser-Kositsky
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2 min read
Product Development K-12 Market News ‘Don’t Outsource the Magic’: K-12 Industry Leaders Push for Human-Centered AI
Top executives at longtime education organizations discussed how they’re balancing at-scale reliability with cutting-edge transformation at ASU+GSV.

Alexandria Ng
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3 min read
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