Policy & Politics

Education news, analysis, and opinion about the legislation, guidance, policies and people involved in federal and state government
States A Study Shows Just How Much School Absences Soar in a Measles Outbreak
The research offers a glimpse at the toll on student learning from the spread of measles.
The Associated Press
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4 min read
Education Funding Federal Funds for Community Schools Fall Victim to a New Round of Trump Cuts
The latest round of grant cuts hits a program that helps schools provide more social services on site.
Mark Lieberman
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6 min read
Law & Courts How One Lawyer Helped Reshape Special Education at the Supreme Court
A documentary follows a lawyer behind major Supreme Court wins for students with disabilities.
Mark Walsh
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9 min read
States Obituary Four-Term North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt, a Leader in Education Reform, Dies at 88
Hunt was known as a pioneer "education governor," serving 16 years in the job as North Carolina transitioned to a high-tech economy.
The Associated Press
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6 min read
Former North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt speaks at the Democratic National Convention, Sept. 5, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C.
Former North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt speaks at the Democratic National Convention on Sept. 5, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
States A School District Is 'Stuck' Between 2 States' Competing Trans Athlete Rules
The district is located in one state, but competes with teams in another that has adopted different rules.
The Associated Press
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4 min read
The Tahoe Truckee Unified School district holds a meeting on Dec. 17, 2025, in Truckee, Calif.
The Tahoe Truckee Unified School district holds a meeting on Dec. 17, 2025, in Truckee, Calif.
Brooke Hess-Homeier/AP
Education Funding 'A Gut Punch’: What Trump’s New $168 Million Cut Means for Community Schools
School districts in 11 states will imminently lose federal funds that help them cover staff salaries.
Mark Lieberman
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10 min read
Genesis Olivio and her daughter Arlette, 2, read a book together in a room within the community hub at John H. Amesse Elementary School on March 13, 2024 in Denver. Denver Public Schools has six community hubs across the district that have serviced 3,000 new students since October 2023. Each community hub has different resources for families and students catering to what the community needs.
Genesis Olivio and daughter Arlette, 2, read a book in one of Denver Public Schools' community hubs in March 2024. The community hubs, which offer food pantries, GED classes, and other services, are similar to what schools across the country have developed with the help of federal Community Schools grants, many of which the U.S. Department of Education has prematurely terminated.
Rebecca Slezak For Education Week
Federal Opinion Rick Hess' Top 10 Hits of 2025
In a year full of education news, what cut through the noise?
Rick Hess
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2 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

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Resources

Student Achievement Spotlight Spotlight on Unlocking Potential: How Interventions Transform Learning
This Spotlight explores how interventions can shape student outcomes, with a focus on supporting older students who struggle with reading.
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Mesa Public Schools, Arizona’s largest district, dramatically improved literacy outcomes for thousands of special education students thro...
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School & District Management Quiz Quiz Yourself: How Well Do You Speak K-12?
Find out if you can keep up with the evolving language of education leaders—and what it means for your marketing strategy.
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  • U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon is interviewed by Indiana’s Secretary of Education Katie Jenner during the 2025 Reagan Institute Summit on Education in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 18, 2025.
    U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon is interviewed by Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner during the 2025 Reagan Institute Summit on Education in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 18, 2025. The U.S. Department of Education on Tuesday unveiled six agreements moving administration of many of its key functions to other federal agencies.
    Leah Millis for Education Week
    Federal Most K-12 Programs Will Leave Education Department in Latest Downsizing
    The Trump administration announced six agreements to transfer Ed. Dept. programs elsewhere.
    Brooke Schultz, Mark Lieberman & Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, November 18, 2025
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    6 min read
    USA Congress with loading icon. Shutdown, political crisis concept.
    DigitalVision Vectors
    Federal The Federal Shutdown Is Over. What Comes Next for Schools?
    Some delayed funds for schools could arrive soon, but questions about future grants remain.
    Mark Lieberman, November 14, 2025
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    7 min read
    Instructional coach Kristi Tucker posts notes to the board during a team meeting at Ford Elementary School in Laurens, S.C., on March 10, 2025.
    Instructional coach Kristi Tucker posts notes to the board during a team meeting at Ford Elementary School in Laurens, S.C., on March 10, 2025. The grant funding this training work was among three teacher-preparation grant programs largely terminated by the Trump administration in its first weeks. Eight states filed a lawsuit challenging terminations in two of those programs, and a judge on Thursday said she couldn't restore the discontinued grants but could rule on whether the Trump administration acted legally.
    Bryant Kirk White for Education Week
    Law & Courts A New Twist in the Legal Battle Over Trump's Cancellation of Teacher-Prep Grants
    A district court judge says she'll decide if the Trump administration broke the law.
    Brooke Schultz, November 13, 2025
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    4 min read
    Miniature American flags flutter in wind gusts across the National Mall near the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Nov. 10, 2025.
    Miniature American flags flutter in wind gusts across the National Mall near the Capitol in Washington on Nov. 10, 2025. President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a bill reopening the federal government after a 43-day shutdown.
    J. Scott Applewhite
    Federal Ed. Dept. Layoffs Are Reversed, But Staff Fear Things Won't Return to Normal
    The bill ending the shutdown reverses the early October layoffs of thousands of federal workers.
    Brooke Schultz, November 13, 2025
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    4 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 Opinion Can School Reform Be Bipartisan Again?
    In a world dominated by social media, is there room for a more serious education debate?
    Rick Hess, November 11, 2025
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    8 min read
    Screenshot of a portion of a response email blaming Democrat Senators for the government shutdown.
    Vanessa Solis/Education Week + Getty
    Federal Judge Tells Ed. Dept. to Remove Language Blaming Democrats From Staff Emails
    The agency added language blaming "Democrat Senators" for the federal shutdown to staffers' out-of-office messages
    Brooke Schultz, November 7, 2025
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    3 min read
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EdWeek Market Brief

Education Market Market Analysis EdWeek Market Brief's Most Popular Stories From 2025
Education companies navigated a cautious and complex market in 2025.
Emma Kate Fittes
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8 min read
Meeting District Needs K-12 Insider Here's How One California Superintendent is Navigating the State's Biggest K-12 Challenges
From building a housing project to adopting new math materials, Michael McLaughlin's hands are full.
Michelle Caffrey
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11 min read
Education Market Market Analysis What California K-12 Districts Will Need From Vendors in 2026
The state's funding outlook is buoyed by higher tax revenues, but it's unclear how long the boost will last.
Michelle Caffrey
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18 min read
Education Industry K-12 Market News Percentage of K-12 Companies Reporting Revenue Declines Doubles from 2023
The findings come from a new special report from EdWeek Market Brief, “State of the Industry: Breaking Through Economic Barriers.”
Michelle Caffrey
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4 min read
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