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State Policy

Read more about state laws, regulations, and programs that impact education
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School & District Management State Takeovers of School Districts Still Happen. New Research Questions Their Value
More than 100 districts across the country have experienced state takeovers.
Mark Lieberman, April 29, 2024
6 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
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.
Mark Walsh, April 29, 2024
5 min read
Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters presides over a special state Board of Education meeting on April 12, 2023, in Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters presides over a state Board of Education meeting about Title IX regulations on April 12, 2023, in Oklahoma City. The state is among several whose leaders plan to defy new Biden administration regulations on Title IX, which covers sex discrimination.
Sue Ogrocki/AP
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.
Evie Blad, April 26, 2024
4 min read
People protest outside the House chamber after legislation passed that would allow some teachers to be armed in schools during a legislative session on April 23, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn.
People protest outside the House chamber after legislation passed that would allow some teachers to be armed in schools during a legislative session on April 23, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. Tennessee could join more than 30 other states in allowing certain teachers to carry guns on campus. There's virtually no research on the strategy's effectiveness, and it remains uncommon despite the proliferation of state laws allowing it.
George Walker IV/AP
School Climate & Safety Another State Will Let Teachers Carry Guns. What We Know About the Strategy
Tennessee lawmakers passed a bill allowing teachers to carry guns with administrators' permission a year after the Covenant School shooting.
Libby Stanford, April 26, 2024
5 min read
Photo illustration of school bus and people exchanging cash.
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Budget & Finance Why Some K-12 Students Have to Pay for a Bus Ride to School
Transportation costs force some districts to consider charging fees for students who live near school buildings to ride the bus.
Mark Lieberman & Caitlynn Peetz, April 25, 2024
7 min read
Tight cropped photo of someone typing on their cellphone with a notepad and pencil on the desk in front of them.
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Ed-Tech Policy How Teachers' Unions Are Involved in the Fight Against Cellphones in Class
Could cellphone bans be the next big issue at the bargaining table?
Madeline Will, April 24, 2024
7 min read
Photo of superintendent meeting with staff.
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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.
Evie Blad, April 22, 2024
3 min read
Female teacher reads to multi-cultural elementary school students sitting on floor in class at school
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Reading & Literacy For Now, California Won't Mandate 'Science of Reading.' Here's What Happened
The California Teachers Association was one of the bill's most prominent opponents.
Lauraine Langreo, April 17, 2024
6 min read
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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
Carrie White, a second-grade teacher, makes a heart with her hands for her student, Tyrell King-Harrell, left, during an SEL exercise at Yates Magnet Elementary School in Schenectady, N.Y., on March 28, 2024.
Carrie White, a 2nd grade teacher, makes a heart with her hands for her student, Tyrell King-Harrell, left, during an SEL exercise at Yates Magnet Elementary School in Schenectady, N.Y., on March 28, 2024.
Scott Rossi for °ÄÃÅÅܹ·ÂÛ̳
Student Well-Being What This School Used as the Main Ingredient for a Positive Climate
When systemic and fully integrated, the practice has the power to reduce bad behavior and boost teacher morale, experts say.
Libby Stanford, April 14, 2024
10 min read
A middle school football team practices Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, in Oklahoma City.
A middle school football team practices in Oklahoma City in 2022.
Sue Ogrocki/AP
Student Well-Being SEL Could Move Into School Sports. What That Might Look Like
Massachusetts is considering a bill to establish guidelines on how school athletics incorporate SEL.
Lauraine Langreo, April 12, 2024
5 min read
Second grade students listen to their teacher Dalia Gerardo at West Elementary, in Russellville, Ala.
Second grade students listen to their teacher Dalia Gerardo at West Elementary, in Russellville, Ala. The need for more bilingual educators is one of the top policy priorities for English-learner education.
Tamika Moore for °ÄÃÅÅܹ·ÂÛ̳
English-Language Learners Experts' Top Policy Priorities for English-Learner Education
A new outline of national priorities from parents, researchers, and policymakers.
Ileana Najarro, April 9, 2024
5 min read
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School & District Management Opinion The Biggest Policy Challenges Schools Are Facing Right Now
State legislatures have the power to manipulate knowledge and rewrite history—but not the necessary educational expertise.
Larry Ferlazzo, April 9, 2024
9 min read