State Legislatures

Dyslexia word formed with wooden blocks.
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Reading & Literacy Most States Screen All Kids for Dyslexia. Why Not California?
The state teachers' union has historically been among those opposing a bill to screen students for signs of the disorder.
Elizabeth Heubeck, March 21, 2023
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5 min read
Close-up image of pencils on a blueprint.
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States State Ed. Systems Aren't Equipped to Address Schools' Big Challenges
A new report outlines a dire situation for state education agencies.
Libby Stanford, December 7, 2022
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4 min read
Image of a paddle.
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School Climate & Safety Q&A How a Student's Push to End Paddling in Schools Became a Yearslong Civics Lesson
A student advocate pushed to end corporal punishment in his state—and gained a passion for civic involvement in the process.
Evie Blad, November 22, 2022
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7 min read
New Yorkers in Queens come out to vote early on Nov. 5, 2022, before Tuesday's final Election Day.
New Yorkers in Queens come out to vote early on Nov. 5, before the final opportunity to cast a ballot on Election Day. The midterm elections could mean major changes for K-12 schools.
GWR/STAR MAX/IPx via AP
Policy & Politics The 2022 Midterms: Why Educators Should Care What Happens
Education will play a major role in both statewide and congressional elections throughout the country.
Libby Stanford, November 7, 2022
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6 min read
Image of young boy wearing a mask getting a bandage applied after a vaccine.
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Student Well-Being Anti-Vaccine Ideology Gains Ground as Lawmakers Seek to Erode Rules for Kids’ Shots
Experts say the movement has gained momentum amid the pandemic, boosting the reach of high-profile anti-vaccine activists.
Sandy West, Kaiser Health News, April 26, 2022
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6 min read
Kara Klever holds a sign in protest in the hall outside of the Blue Room as Governor Kevin Stitt signs a bill into law that prevents transgender girls and women from competing on female sports teams at the Capitol Wednesday, March 30, 2022 in Oklahoma City, Oka. The bill, which easily passed the Republican-led House and Senate mostly along party lines, took effect immediately with the governor's signature. It applies to female sports teams in both high school and college.
Kara Klever holds a sign in protest as Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signs a bill into law that prevents transgender girls and women from competing on female sports teams.
Doug Hoke/The Oklahoman via AP
States Beyond 'Don't Say Gay': Other States Seek to Limit LGBTQ Youth, Teaching
Legislators want to ban lessons on LGBTQ communities and require teachers to tell parents when students want their pronouns changed.
Stephen Sawchuk, April 6, 2022
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9 min read
Demonstrators protest inside the Florida State Capitol as lawmakers acted on a bill to forbid discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools.
Demonstrators protest inside the Florida State Capitol as lawmakers acted on a bill to forbid discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools.
Wilfredo Lee/AP
Equity & Diversity Here's What Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' and Anti-'Woke' Bills Actually Say
Two controversial bills involving instruction on issues including race and sexuality have been widely publicized and often mischaracterized.
Eesha Pendharkar, March 18, 2022
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4 min read
large hand with pencil is erasing a large dollar sign.
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Education Funding Fines, Budget Cuts, Spending Limits: How State Lawmakers Want to Censor Instruction
An Oklahoma legislator wants teachers to pay $10,000 or more out of their own pockets for teaching about sex or sexual orientation, for example.
Eesha Pendharkar & Mark Lieberman, February 14, 2022
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7 min read
First Graders Alex Albin, left, and Tyler Custodio wear masks in Amanda McCoy's first grade class at the newly-rebuilt Addison Mizner School in Boca Raton, Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021. Palm Beach County Schools opened the school year with a masking requirement with an opt-out option.
First Graders Alex Albin, left, and Tyler Custodio wear masks in Amanda McCoy's first grade class at the newly-rebuilt Addison Mizner School in Boca Raton, Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021. Palm Beach County Schools opened the school year with a masking requirement with an opt-out option.
Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP
Law & Courts Fla. Districts That Required Masks Could Face $200 Million Punishment
School districts say they tried to keep students and their families safe when they required students to wear masks last year.
Brooke Baitinger, South Florida Sun Sentinel, February 10, 2022
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4 min read
Illustration of hands holding thought bubbles.
melitas/Getty
States Bill Could Require Posting a Year's Worth of Lesson Plans. Teachers Aren't Happy
Teachers share their frustration over an Indiana bill that would require educators to post a year's worth of lessons.
Marina Whiteleather, February 10, 2022
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1 min read
People protest outside the offices of the New Mexico Public Education Department's office on Nov. 12, 2021, in Albuquerque. The education department proposed changes to the social studies curriculum that critics describe as a veiled attempt to teach critical race theory. Supporters say the new curriculum, which includes ethnic studies, is "anti-racist."
People protest outside the offices of the New Mexico Public Education Department's office last November in Albuquerque. The education department proposed changes to the social studies curriculum that critics describe as a veiled attempt to teach critical race theory. Supporters say the new curriculum, which includes ethnic studies, is "anti-racist."
Cedar Attanasio/AP
States Here's the Long List of Topics Republicans Want Banned From the Classroom
There are now 61 censorship bills proposed in 24 states. One legislator wants teachers to pay $10,000 for teaching "critical race theory."
Sarah Schwartz & Eesha Pendharkar, February 2, 2022
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12 min read
Image of books on a library shelf.
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Curriculum Texas Lawmaker Demands Districts Provide Lists of Books on Racism, Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ
The Texas attorney general candidate's request has received criticism from educator groups who say the inquiry is politically motivated.
Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, October 28, 2021
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3 min read
In this Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, file photo, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear addresses the media in Frankfort, Ky. Kentucky's governor said Sunday, Oct. 11, that he will quarantine after a member of his security detail who drove with his family the day before later tested positive for COVID-19. Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear said he and his family feel fine, show no coronavirus symptoms and have tested negative for the virus.
In this Sept. 23, 2020, file photo, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear addresses the media in Frankfort, Ky.
Timothy D. Easley/AP
States Kentucky Ends All Statewide Mask Mandates After Governor's Vetoes Overridden
The Republican-led legislation strips the Democratic governor's ability to issue statewide mask mandates in schools or anywhere else.
Jack Brammer and Alex Acquisto, Lexington Herald-Leader, September 10, 2021
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4 min read
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a news conference in Austin, Texas, on June 8, 2021.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a news conference in Austin, Texas, on June 8, 2021.
Eric Gay/AP
States Bill to Restrict How Race and Racism Is Taught in Schools Headed to Texas Governor
If the "critical race theory" bill sounds familiar, that's because lawmakers passed a similar one during the regular legislative session.
Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, September 3, 2021
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4 min read
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