Policy & Politics

Education news, analysis, and opinion about the legislation, guidance, policies and people involved in federal and state government
States States Direct Districts to Defy New Title IX Rule on Transgender Students
Some districts could be in a perilous legal squeeze play between their states and the feds.
4 min read
States Superintendent Vacancies Are High. Is Loosening Requirements a Good Idea?
Wisconsin's governor, a former educator, vetoed a bill that would have waived licensure requirements for district leaders.
3 min read
Policy & Politics Opinion Where Do Democrats Stand on Education?
The politics of education reform have shifted drastically since the Obama era. How has one Democratic education group responded?
7 min read
Policy & Politics Arming Teachers Could Cause 'Accidents and More Tragedy,' Miguel Cardona Says
The education secretary, speaking at an EdWeek event, criticized the growing number of states that allow teachers to carry guns.
4 min read
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona speaks during Education Week’s 2024 Leadership Symposium at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Va., on May 2, 2024.
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona speaks during Education Week’s 2024 Leadership Symposium at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Va., on May 2, 2024.
Sam Mallon/Education Week
Federal Opinion Should Migrant Families Pay Tuition for Public School?
The answer must reflect an outlook that is pro-immigration, pro-compassion, and pro-law and order, writes Michael J. Petrilli.
Michael J. Petrilli
4 min read
Image of a pencil holder filled with a variety of colored pencils that match the background with international flags.
Laura Baker/Education Week via Canva
Federal New Title IX Rule Could Actually Simplify Some Things for Districts, Lawyers Say
School districts could field more harassment complaints, but they can streamline how they handle them, according to legal experts.
7 min read
Illustration of checklist.
F. Sheehan for Education Week + iStock / Getty Images Plus
Law & Courts Republican-Led States Sue to Block New Title IX Rule
A pair of lawsuits focus on the rule's protections for students' gender identity.
5 min read
Demonstrators advocating for transgender rights and healthcare stand outside of the Ohio Statehouse on Jan. 24, 2024, in Columbus. Four Republican-led states filed a lawsuit Monday challenging the Biden administration's new Title IX regulation, which among other things would codify protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Demonstrators advocating for transgender rights and healthcare stand outside of the Ohio Statehouse on Jan. 24, 2024, in Columbus. Four Republican-led states filed a lawsuit Monday challenging the Biden administration's new Title IX regulation, which among other things would codify protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Patrick Orsagos/AP

Events

School Climate & Safety K-12 Essentials Forum Strengthen Students’ Connections to School
Join this free event to learn how schools are creating the space for students to form strong bonds with each other and trusted adults.
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
Mathematics Webinar
Math for All: Strategies for Inclusive Instruction and Student Success
Looking for ways to make math matter for all your students? Gain strategies that help them make the connection as well as the grade.
Content provided by NMSI
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
Mathematics Webinar
Equity and Access in Mathematics Education: A Deeper Look
Explore the advantages of access in math education, including engagement, improved learning outcomes, and equity.
Content provided by MIND Education

More Policy & Politics

  • Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally, March 9, 2024, in Rome Ga.
    Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally, March 9, 2024, in Rome, Ga. Allies of the former president have assembled a detailed policy agenda for every corner of the federal government with the idea that it would be ready for a conservative president to use at the start of a new term next year.
    Mike Stewart/AP
    Federal What Would Happen to K-12 in a 2nd Trump Term? A Detailed Policy Agenda Offers Clues
    A conservative policy agenda could offer the clearest view yet of K-12 education in a second Trump term.
    Matthew Stone, March 25, 2024
    8 min read
    Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
    DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
    Federal Opinion Student Literacy Rates Are Concerning. How Can We Turn This Around?
    The ranking Republican senator on the education committee wants to hear from educators and families about making improvements.
    Rick Hess, March 25, 2024
    6 min read
    Heidi Griebel and Josie Wahl participate in carpentry class at Career and Technical Education Academy in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Jan. 7, 2019.
    Heidi Griebel and Josie Wahl participate in carpentry class at Career and Technical Education Academy in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Jan. 7, 2019. CTE programs were a core theme of several governors' state addresses in 2024.
    Loren Townsley/The Argus Leader via AP
    States Republican and Democratic Governors Both Are Touting This K-12 Priority
    Workforce readiness and career and technical education were the most common education themes in governors' state of the state addresses.
    Evie Blad, March 20, 2024
    6 min read
    Image of a bible sitting on top of a school backpack.
    Canva
    States School Chaplain Bills Multiply, Stirring Debate on Faith-Based Counseling
    Proponents say school chaplains could help address a mental health crisis. Opponents raise concerns about religious coercion.
    Evie Blad, March 15, 2024
    6 min read
    An American flag waves in front of the Supreme Court building on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Nov. 2, 2020.
    An American flag waves in front of the Supreme Court building on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Nov. 2, 2020.
    Patrick Semansky/AP
    Law & Courts When Blocking Social Media Critics, School Officials Have Protections, Supreme Court Says
    The court said public officials' own pages may be "state action," but only when they are exercising government authority.
    Mark Walsh, March 15, 2024
    6 min read
    President Joe Biden delivers remarks on lowering prices for American families during an event at the YMCA Allard Center on March 11, 2024, in Goffstown, N.H.
    President Joe Biden delivers remarks on lowering prices for American families during an event at the YMCA Allard Center on March 11, 2024, in Goffstown, N.H. Biden's administration released its 2025 budget proposal, which includes a modest spending increase for the Education Department.
    Evan Vucci/AP
    Education Funding Biden's Budget Proposes Smaller Bump to Education Spending
    The president requested increases to Title I and IDEA, and funding to expand preschool access in his 2025 budget proposal.
    Libby Stanford, March 11, 2024
    7 min read

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.
Sponsor
Mathematics Whitepaper
Math Gatherings: A New Approach to Collaborative Math Instruction
Learn how math gatherings provide a collaborative approach to math instruction.
Content provided by Solution Tree
Reading & Literacy Spotlight Spotlight on The Science of Reading in Practice
This Spotlight will help you analyze new curricula designed to build knowledge, review the benefits of reading aloud to students, and more.
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
Classroom Technology Whitepaper
Leveraging AI for Enhanced Efficiency and Workflow in Education
Discover how AI can enhance learning environments and student engagement. Register to watch this on-demand webinar now.
Content provided by Follett
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
Privacy & Security Quiz
Quiz Yourself: How Much Do You Know About Cybersecurity For Schools And Districts?
Answer 6 questions about actionable cybersecurity solutions.
Content provided by FlexPoint Education Cloud
  • Demonstrators advocating for transgender rights and healthcare stand outside of the Ohio Statehouse on Jan. 24, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. The rights of LGBTQ+ students will be protected by federal law and victims of campus sexual assault will gain new safeguards under rules finalized Friday, April19, 2024, by the Biden administration. Notably absent from Biden’s policy, however, is any mention of transgender athletes.
    Demonstrators advocating for transgender rights and healthcare stand outside of the Ohio Statehouse on Jan. 24, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. The rights of LGBTQ+ students will be protected by federal law and victims of campus sexual assault will gain new safeguards under rules finalized Friday, April19, 2024, by the Biden administration. Notably absent from Biden’s policy, however, is any mention of transgender athletes.
    Patrick Orsagos/AP
    Federal New Title IX Rule Has Explicit Ban on Discrimination of LGBTQ+ Students
    The new rule, while long awaited, stops short of addressing the thorny issue of transgender athletes' participation in sports.
    Libby Stanford, April 19, 2024
    6 min read
    Light illuminates part of the Supreme Court building at dusk on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 16, 2022.
    Light illuminates part of the Supreme Court building at dusk on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 16, 2022. The high court on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, made it easier for workers, including educators, to sue over job transfers.
    Patrick Semansky/AP
    Law & Courts Why It Will Now Be Easier for Educators to Sue Over Job Transfers
    The case asked whether transferred employees had to show a 'significant' change in job conditions to sue under Title VII. The court said no.
    Mark Walsh, April 17, 2024
    8 min read
    Illustration of many roads and road signs going in different directions with falling money all around.
    iStock/Getty
    Education Funding When There's More Money for Schools, Is There an 'Objective' Way to Hand It Out?
    A fight over the school funding formula in Mississippi is kicking up old debates over how to best target aid.
    Mark Lieberman, April 17, 2024
    7 min read
    Illustration of woman turning back hands on clock.
    Education Week + iStock / Getty Images Plus Week
    Education Funding Explainer How Can Districts Get More Time to Spend ESSER Dollars? An Explainer
    Districts can get up to 14 additional months to spend ESSER dollars on contracts—if their state and the federal government both approve.
    Mark Lieberman, April 11, 2024
    4 min read
    Four roses are placed on a fence to honor Hana St. Juliana, 14, Madisyn Baldwin, 17, Tate Myre, 16, and Justin Shilling, 17, the four teens killed in last week's shooting, outside Oxford High School in Oxford, Mich., on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021.
    Four roses are placed on a fence outside Oxford High School in Oxford, Mich., honor Hana St. Juliana, 14, Madisyn Baldwin, 17, Tate Myre, 16, and Justin Shilling, 17, the four teens killed in the Nov. 30, 2021, shooting at the school.
    Jake May/The Flint Journal via AP
    Law & Courts Oxford School Shooter's Parents Were Convicted. Holding District Liable Could Be Tougher
    The conviction of parents in the Oxford, Mich., case expanded the scope of responsibility, but it remains difficult to hold schools liable.
    Mark Walsh, April 10, 2024
    12 min read
    Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
    DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
    Policy & Politics Opinion Is Education Research Too Political?
    Outgoing Institute of Education Sciences Director Mark Schneider laments politicization at the Ed. Department—and in academia writ large.
    Rick Hess, April 10, 2024
    7 min read

EdWeek Market Brief

Purchasing Alert Mississippi District Seeks Universal Screener; Maryland System Looks for Summer Learning
Universal screener and instructional program, summer extended learning, math intervention kits. A Mississippi district is looking for a web-based universal screener and personalized instructional program, while a Maryland school system seeks a summer extended learning program. In addition, a South Carolina district is in the market for math intervention kits. Active/upcoming solicitations for goods/services DeSoto County Schools, Miss. Focus: Web-based universal screener and personalized reading and…
Emma Kate Fittes
2 min read
Marketplace K-12 Ed-Tech Investor Trades Longshot Presidential Campaign for Youth Advocacy Project
Jason Palmer's new public benefit corporation and PAC is focused on increasing the youth voting and activism political spectrum.
Michelle Caffrey
3 min read
Marketplace K-12 EdWeek Market Brief Wins National Award for Best Industry Coverage
The Neal Awards, established in 1955, recognize outstanding business journalism.
1 min read
Marketplace K-12 FCC Votes to Reinstate Net Neutrality Protections, Reversing Trump-Era Changes
The agency voted to restore regulations that some advocates have seen as necessary to safeguard schools' access to high-quality online educational content.
Emma Kate Fittes
3 min read