Policy & Politics

Federal

Education news, analysis, and opinion about federal education policies and federal officials.
  • Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters presides over a special state Board of Education meeting discuss to the U.S. Department of Education's "Proposed Change to its Title IX Regulations on Students' Eligibility for Athletic Teams", Wednesday, April 12, 2023, in Oklahoma City.
    Oklahoma's superintendent of public instruction, Ryan Walters presides over a special state Board of Education meeting on April 12, 2023, in Oklahoma City to discuss the U.S. Department of Education's proposed changes to Title IX rules that would prohibit states from categorically banning transgender athletes from playing on teams that align with their gender identity. Walters was among four conservative state education chiefs who spoke at the national summit for the group Moms for Liberty on June 30.
    Sue Ogrocki/AP
    Federal Conservatives Renew Call to End U.S. Education Department at Moms for Liberty Summit
    A panel of state schools chiefs criticized the federal agency at the summit in Philadelphia for policies that "indoctrinate" students.
    Libby Stanford, July 5, 2023
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    6 min read
    Moms for Liberty founders Tiffany Justice, right, and Tina Descovich speak at the Moms for Liberty meeting in Philadelphia, Friday, June 30, 2023.
    Moms for Liberty founders Tiffany Justice, right, and Tina Descovich speak at the Moms for Liberty meeting in Philadelphia, Friday, June 30, 2023.
    Matt Rourke/AP
    Federal Moms for Liberty's National Summit: 5 Takeaways for Educators
    Hundreds of members of the group gathered for a summit that featured former President Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis, as well as protesters.
    Libby Stanford, June 30, 2023
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    10 min read
    Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during convocation at Liberty University, in Lynchburg, Va., on April 14, 2023.
    Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during convocation at Liberty University, in Lynchburg, Va., on April 14, 2023.
    Paige Dingler/The News & Advance via AP
    Federal Ron DeSantis Is Running for President. What Will That Mean for K-12 Schools?
    DeSantis has solidified himself as a force on school policy. His campaign will likely influence the role education plays in the election.
    Libby Stanford, May 24, 2023
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    6 min read
    Education Secretary Miguel Cardona speaks during a ceremony honoring the Council of Chief State School Officers' 2023 Teachers of the Year in the Rose Garden of the White House on April 24, 2023, in Washington.
    Education Secretary Miguel Cardona speaks during a ceremony honoring the 2023 Teachers of the Year at the White House on April 24, 2023. He appeared before a U.S. House committee May 16, 2023, to defend the Biden administration's proposed education budget and other policies.
    Andrew Harnik/AP
    Federal Cardona Defends Biden's Education Budget and Proposals on Student Debt and Trans Athletes
    House Republicans accused Education Secretary Miguel Cardona of indoctrinating students and causing drops in test scores.
    Libby Stanford, May 16, 2023
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    4 min read
    Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona answers questions during an interview in his office in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, August 23, 2022.
    Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona answers questions during an interview in his office in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, August 23, 2022.
    Alyssa Schukar for Education Week
    Federal Book Bans and Divisive Concepts Laws Will Hold U.S. Students Back, Secretary Cardona Says
    Education Secretary Miguel Cardona participated in a summit this week that drew international education leaders to the nation's capital.
    Libby Stanford, April 27, 2023
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    6 min read
    President Ronald Reagan is flanked by Education Secretary Terrel Bell, left, White House Policy director, during a meeting in the Cabinet Room in Washington, Feb. 23, 1984 where they discussed school discipline.
    President Ronald Reagan and U.S. Secretary of Education Terrel H. Bell, left, during a meeting in the Cabinet Room, Feb. 23, 1984, where they discussed school discipline.
    AP
    Federal Opinion The Lies America Tells Itself About Black Education
    'A Nation at Risk' created a faux crisis to usher in the right's education agenda, argues Bettina L. Love.
    Bettina L. Love, April 27, 2023
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    4 min read
    Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, is sworn in to testify during a House Oversight and Accountability subcommittee hearing on COVID-19 school closures, Wednesday, April 26, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington.
    Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, is sworn in to testify during a House Oversight and Accountability subcommittee hearing on COVID-19 school closures, Wednesday, April 26, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington.
    Mariam Zuhaib/AP
    Federal AFT Head Weingarten Says Her Union Didn’t Conspire With CDC on School Reopening Guidance
    Some Republicans allege the union exercised its influence to keep schools closed longer than necessary.
    Caitlynn Peetz, April 26, 2023
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    7 min read
    Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
    DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
    Federal Opinion 'A Nation at Risk' Turns 40: Its Roots, Its Legacy
    Forty years ago, "A Nation at Risk" was issued—arguably the most influential report on schooling in U.S. history.
    Rick Hess, April 24, 2023
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    4 min read
    Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs a bill to expand school vouchers across Florida during a press conference at Christopher Columbus High School on March 27, 2023, in Miami.
    Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs a bill to expand school choice programs during a press conference at Christopher Columbus High School, a private Catholic school, on March 27, 2023, in Miami.
    Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald via AP
    Federal What Educators Should Get Used to Hearing on the Campaign Trail in 2024
    More Republicans are announcing their intentions to run in the 2024 presidential election. They have a lot to say about schools.
    Libby Stanford, April 7, 2023
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    7 min read
    Composite image of school building and climate change protestors.
    Illustration by F. Sheehan/Education Week (Images: iStock/Getty and E+)
    Federal Student Activists Push Congress for Action on Climate Change Education
    Student activists collaborated to write a pair of U.S. House resolutions on climate change.
    Arianna Prothero, March 29, 2023
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    4 min read
    President Joe Biden speaks about his 2024 budget proposal at the Finishing Trades Institute, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Philadelphia.
    President Joe Biden speaks about his 2024 budget proposal at the Finishing Trades Institute, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Philadelphia.
    Evan Vucci/AP
    Federal How Schools Fare in Biden's Proposed Budget
    President Joe Biden released his fiscal 2024 budget, which calls for more money for preschool, Title I, and special education.
    Libby Stanford, March 9, 2023
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    7 min read
    Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., outlines his priorities during an interview in his Capitol Hill office, Feb. 7, 2023.
    Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., outlines his priorities during an interview in his Capitol Hill office, Feb. 7, 2023.
    J. Scott Applewhite/AP
    Federal The Push for a $60K Base Teacher Salary Gains Steam as Bernie Sanders Signs On
    Sanders' legislation complements a proposal in the House and comes as state lawmakers from both parties prioritize legislation to boost teacher pay.
    Madeline Will, February 14, 2023
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    6 min read
    House Education and Workforce Committee Chair Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., greets then-Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar at the conclusion of a House Education and Workforce Committee hearing on "Examining the Policies and Priorities of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.' Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, June 6, 2018.
    House Education and Workforce Committee Chair Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., greets then-Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar at the conclusion of a House Education and Workforce Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington in June 2018. Foxx spoke to Education Week about her priorities as she becomes chair of the committee for a second time.
    Carolyn Kaster/AP
    Federal Q&A Ending 'Government-Run Monopoly' on Schools Is Top Priority for Rep. Virginia Foxx
    The Republican chair of the U.S. House's education committee plans to pass parents' rights and school choice bills.
    Libby Stanford, February 14, 2023
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    5 min read
    Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
    DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
    Federal Opinion Is This the Key to Unlocking Breakthrough Education Research?
    An innovative federal R&D program for education is getting underway. Rick Hess and Jal Mehta discuss their mixed feelings about it.
    Rick Hess, February 13, 2023
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    5 min read
    Photo of stressed teacher.
    iStock / Getty Images Plus
    Federal Educators' Mental Health Gets New Attention in Federal Bill
    The legislation aims to support the mental health of school staff as they report high levels of depression and work-related stress.
    Libby Stanford, February 9, 2023
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    5 min read
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