Policy & Politics

Education news, analysis, and opinion about the legislation, guidance, policies and people involved in federal and state government
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
•
6 min read
Education Funding Trump Again Proposes Major Education Cuts in New Budget Proposal
The president again wants lawmakers to consider billions in K-12 spending cuts and program eliminations.
Mark Lieberman
•
7 min read
Law & Courts Supreme Court Seems Poised to Reject Trump's Birthright Order
Trump’s attendance in the birthright citizenship case marked the first time a sitting president has done this.
The Associated Press
•
6 min read
Federal 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
•
6 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.
Oliver Farshi 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
•
7 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
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
•
1 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 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
•
6 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

Events

Thu., April 09, 2026, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ET
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.
Sponsor
Artificial Intelligence Webinar Managing AI in Schools: Practical Strategies for Districts
How should districts govern AI in schools? Learn practical strategies for policies, safety, transparency, as well as responsible adoption.
Content provided by Lightspeed Systems
Register
Wed., April 29, 2026, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
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.
Sponsor
Reading & Literacy Webinar Unlocking Success for Struggling Adolescent Readers
The Science of Reading transformed K-3 literacy. Now it's time to extend that focus to students in grades 6 through 12.
Content provided by STARI
Register
Thu., May 14, 2026, 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. ET
Jobs Virtual Career Fair for Teachers and K-12 Staff
Find teaching jobs and K-12 education jubs at the EdWeek Top School Jobs virtual career fair.
Register
See More Events

More Policy & Politics

  • Classroom supplies are seen in a classroom in Bowie, Md., on Aug. 15, 2025. Equity sticks are a system the teacher uses to call on students by randomly assigned number.
    A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office examines the factors that make it more or less likely a school will be labeled underperforming.
    Kevin Mohatt for Education Week
    Every Student Succeeds Act These Factors Make a School More Likely to Be Labeled Failing
    Schools that educate large numbers of students of color and low-income children are most at risk.
    Alyson Klein, March 20, 2026
    •
    4 min read
    The Treasury Department building is seen, on March 13, 2025, in Washington.
    The Treasury Department building is seen, on March 13, 2025, in Washington.
    Alex Brandon/AP
    Federal Treasury Dept. Takes Over Student Loans as Ed. Dept. Hands Off More Programs
    The Education Department is handing off a portion of its student loan portfolio to Treasury.
    The Associated Press, March 19, 2026
    •
    3 min read
    West De Pere High School is committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship, focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing environmental literacy through facility upgrades such as LED lighting, motion sensors and advanced HVAC systems. To further explore energy, students have opportunities to explore alternative energy, including participation in the annual Wisconsin Public Service Solar Olympics Challenge. Going the extra mile, West De Pere hosts recycling drives that successfully collected 117 pounds of batteries and Christmas lights last year alone. The school's physical education program fosters a deep appreciation for the natural world, offering diverse activities like biking, fishing, and archery that emphasize physical health and lifelong skills. Additionally, West De Pere's involvement in the Farm to Table program highlights the importance of local produce, complemented by a school greenhouse that enhances hands-on learning. Through these initiatives, West De Pere High School is empowering students to become proactive stewards of the environment and advocates for sustainability in their communities.
    West De Pere High School in De Pere, Wis., was a 2025 honoree in the state's Green and Healthy Schools Wisconsin program. The state expanded that recognition program honoring schools' sustainability work after the U.S. Department of Education ended its Green Ribbon Schools program last year.
    Courtesy of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
    States Q&A This State Stepped In When the Feds Stopped Honoring Schools' Environmental Work
    The Trump administration last year ended the Green Ribbon Schools recognition program.
    Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, March 19, 2026
    •
    4 min read
    Texas Governor Greg Abbott speaks to a group of event attendees for his Parent Empowerment Night event where he advocated for school choice and vouchers at Temple Christian School in Fort Worth on Thursday, March 6, 2025.
    Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks to attendees of his Parent Empowerment Night event where he advocated school choice and vouchers at Temple Christian School in Fort Worth on March 6, 2025. Texas is accepting applications for its new private school choice program for two more weeks after a judge intervened in a lawsuit claiming religious discrimination for the state's exclusion of Islamic schools.
    Chris Torres/Fort Worth Star-Telegram via TNS
    School Choice & Charters Families Get 2 More Weeks to Apply for Nation's Largest School Choice Program
    Lawsuits say Texas is discriminating by excluding Islamic schools from the private school choice program.
    Jennifer Vilcarino, March 18, 2026
    •
    3 min read
    New military recruits take the Oath of Office during a swearing in ceremony at a Salute to Service event at an NFL football game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in Jacksonville.
    New military recruits take the Oath of Office during a swearing-in ceremony on Nov. 10, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. States' education plans call for tracking students paths from the classroom to college, career, or the military, but they've struggled to access enlistment data from the U.S. Department of Defense. Through a new agreement, five states will pilot a data-sharing process with the Pentagon with hopes to expand to additional states.
    Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP
    States What Happens to Students Who Join the Military? A New Effort Aims to Find Out
    A pilot will allow states to use Pentagon data to track students from the classroom to the military.
    Evie Blad, March 18, 2026
    •
    3 min read
    State stamps coming apart on a data textured background
    Vanessa Solis/Education Week + Getty
    Every Student Succeeds Act See Which States Want Ed. Dept.'s OK to Change Testing, Federal School Funding
    States are seeking potentially significant changes to implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act.
    Alyson Klein, March 16, 2026
    •
    1 min read
    Load More ▼

Resources

Reading & Literacy Quiz Quiz Yourself: How Much Do You Know About a Learner's Reading Journey?
Answer 7 questions about a learner's journey to reading proficiency.
College & Workforce Readiness Spotlight Spotlight on Empowering Students For College and the Workforce
This Spotlight will help you discover approaches schools throughout the country use to expose students to career and technical pathways.
School Climate & Safety Quiz Quiz Yourself: How Much Do You Know About Creating Inclusive Classrooms?
Answer 7 questions about creating inclusive classrooms for students.
Student Absenteeism Spotlight Spotlight on Chronic Absenteeism
This Spotlight will help you learn about innovative and cost-effective strategies for tackling chronic absenteeism.
Load More ▼
  • Photo collaged image of the U.S. Department of Education shattering.
    Vanessa Solis/Education Week + AP + Getty
    Federal Tracker See Which Ed. Dept. Programs Are Moving to New Agencies: A Tracker
    K-12 and higher education programs are heading to new agencies as part of Trump administration downsizing.
    Mark Lieberman, April 1, 2026
    •
    1 min read
    President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, on March 26, 2026, in Washington.
    President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, on March 26, 2026, in Washington. Six Cabinet members are now on track to have a hand in managing U.S. Department of Education programs.
    Alex Brandon/AP
    Federal Meet the Trump Cabinet Secretaries Taking Over Ed. Dept. Programs
    The U.S. Department of Education is shifting more than 100 programs to other federal agencies.
    Mark Lieberman, March 31, 2026
    •
    1 min read
    Attorney General Pam Bondi in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, on Feb. 20, 2026, in Washington.
    Attorney General Pam Bondi in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, on Feb. 20, 2026, in Washington. The Justice Department under Bondi has now sued three states over policies allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls' sports
    Alex Brandon/AP
    Federal Trump Admin. Sues Minnesota Over Transgender Athletes in Girls' Sports
    It's the third state the Trump administration has sued over transgender participation in athletics.
    The Associated Press, March 30, 2026
    •
    2 min read
    President Donald Trump signs an executive order on birthright citizenship in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Jan. 20, 2025.
    President Donald Trump signs an executive order on birthright citizenship in the Oval Office of the White House on Jan. 20, 2025. The order, now before the U.S. Supreme Court, seeks to limit citizenship for some children born in the United States to immigrant parents without permanent legal status.
    Evan Vucci/AP
    Law & Courts Birthright Citizenship Case Raises Stakes for Schools and Undocumented Students
    Educators are paying close attention to the case on Trump's birthright citizenship order.
    Mark Walsh, March 30, 2026
    •
    10 min read
    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
    •
    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
    •
    2 min read
    Load More ▼

EdWeek Market Brief

Read More