Federal Policy

News, analysis, and opinion about federal education laws, regulations, and proposals—and their impact
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz gets a huge hug from students at Webster Elementary after he signed into law a bill that guarantees free school meals, (breakfast and lunch) for every student in Minnesota's public and charter schools in Minneapolis, on March 17, 2023.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz gets a hug from students at Webster Elementary School in Minneapolis on March 17, 2023, after he signed into law a bill that guarantees free school meals for every student in Minnesota's public and charter schools. Free school meals have become a campaign issue since Walz was named Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate on the Democratic ticket.
Elizabeth Flores/Minneapolis Star Tribune via TNS
Student Well-Being How Free School Meals Became an Issue Animating the 2024 Election
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has highlighted his state's law to provide free school meals to all students as he campaigns for vice president.
Libby Stanford, September 4, 2024
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6 min read
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks with Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice during an event at the group's annual convention in Washington, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024.
Former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, speaks with Tiffany Justice, a Moms for Liberty co-founder, during the group's national summit on Friday Aug. 30, 2024, in Washington. The former president spoke only briefly about issues directly related to education.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
Federal At Moms for Liberty National Summit, Trump Hardly Mentions Education
In a "fireside chat" with a co-founder of the parents' rights group, the former president didn't discuss his education policy priorities.
Libby Stanford, August 30, 2024
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5 min read
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the Democratic National Convention Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Chicago.
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the Democratic National Convention Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Chicago. She alluded to proposals to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education during her acceptance speech.
Gabrielle Lurie/AP
Federal Video WATCH: 5 Key Education Moments From the Democratic National Convention
Calls to end gun violence, Tim Walz's background as a teacher, and Project 2025 all made for key K-12 moments at the 2024 convention.
Libby Stanford, August 23, 2024
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7 min read
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris hugs President Biden during the Democratic National Convention Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago.
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris hugs President Biden during the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago. Democrats approved a party platform Monday whose education priorities include universal pre-K and a reduced emphasis on standardized testing.
Charles Rex Arbogast/AP
Federal Where Does Kamala Harris Stand on Education? Inside the 2024 Democratic Platform
The 2024 platform calls for universal prekindergarten, expanded career and technical education, and fully funding IDEA.
Libby Stanford, August 20, 2024
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7 min read
Artistic image of multiple paths leading to a school building
Laura Baker/Education Week via Canva
Federal Project 2025 and GOP Aim for Universal School Choice. What Would That Look Like?
Most ambitious private school choice policies have happened at the state level. How would it take shape at the federal level?
Libby Stanford, August 19, 2024
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8 min read
Photograph of a young girl reading, wearing headphones and working at her desk at home with laptop near by.
iStock/Getty Images Plus
Ed-Tech Policy E-Rate Is in Legal Jeopardy. Here’s What Schools Stand to Lose
The FCC released a fact sheet about how the E-rate helps schools in response to a court ruling that threatens the program's funding.
Lauraine Langreo, August 14, 2024
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1 min read
Education Week opinion letters submissions
Gwen Keraval for Education Week
Federal Letter to the Editor Rick Hess' Project 2025 Gaslight
A school board member responds to Rick Hess' opinion essay on the Heritage Foundation's education proposal.
August 13, 2024
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1 min read
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, along with Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and first lady Gwen Walz, read "The Day You Began" by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López, to a group of kindergarteners at Adams Spanish Immersion Elementary, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, St. Paul, Minn.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, along with Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and first lady Gwen Walz, read to a group of kindergarteners in St. Paul, Minn., on Jan. 17, 2023.
Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via AP
Federal Opinion A Teacher in the White House: What Harris-Walz Could Mean for Education
It’s no surprise that vice presidential candidate Gov. Tim Walz is so good at explaining things: He's a former social studies teacher.
Phelton Moss, August 6, 2024
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3 min read
United States flag pencil drawing an up arrow over a road. Success direction planning symbol as a pencil drawing an upward 3D illustration arrow from a straight road as a symbol for the growing American public education and civic engagement.
iStock/Getty
Federal Opinion How to Get Ahead of a Trump Education Agenda
An attorney at the Center for Law and Education proposes three K-12 ideas to recommit to the promise of public education.
Chris Yarrell, August 2, 2024
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5 min read
Photograph of a woman's hands pumping breast with an electric breast pump.
iStock/Getty
Teaching Profession Legally, Breastfeeding Teachers Can Pump at Work. But Can They, Really?
A recent federal law allows breastfeeding teachers the time and space to pump at work. But many schools haven't caught up.
Elizabeth Heubeck, August 1, 2024
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5 min read
The U.S. Supreme Court is seen on Thursday, June 29, 2023, in Washington.
The Biden administration's new Title IX regulation was set to take effect Aug. 1, but only in parts of the country as court injunctions block it in 26 states and the U.S. Supreme Court weighs a request to step into the debate.
AP
Law & Courts Biden's Title IX Rule Takes Effect Amid a Confusing Legal Landscape
The rule that expands protections for LGBTQ+ students is effective Aug. 1, but injunctions currently block it in 26 states.
Mark Walsh, July 31, 2024
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7 min read
Photo of teenage girl using laptop computer in school library.
E+
Ed-Tech Policy Billions of Dollars for Ed Tech in Schools Are Now in Jeopardy. Here's Why
A federal appeals court ruling has put the funding mechanism for the nearly 30-year-old E-rate program in legal jeopardy.
Alyson Klein, July 25, 2024
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5 min read
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to members of the American Federation of Teachers at their annual conference in Houston on July 25, 2024.
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to members of the American Federation of Teachers at their annual conference in Houston on July 25, 2024.
Annie Mulligan for Education Week
Federal Video Book Bans and Gun Control: 3 Minutes From Kamala Harris’ Speech to Teachers
Kamala Harris shares her vision for the future of education, and the country.
Jaclyn Borowski, July 25, 2024
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2:51
The Supreme Court is seen, April 21, 2023, in Washington.
The Supreme Court is seen, April 21, 2023, in Washington. A recent decision from the high court overruled a longtime precedent that called on courts to defer to federal agencies' reasonable interpretations of federal laws. The decision could lead to more challenges to U.S. Department of Education regulations, legal experts say.
Alex Brandon/AP
Law & Courts Not Just Title IX: How the Chevron Decision Could Affect Education Regulations
The Supreme Court's Loper Bright decision could have an impact on Education Department rules interpreting multiple federal laws.
Mark Walsh, July 25, 2024
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7 min read
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