Federal

Education news, analysis, and opinion about federal education policies and federal officials.
  • Education Secretary Betsy DeVos listens at left as President Donald Trump speaks during a round table discussion at Saint Andrew Catholic School on March 3, 2017, in Orlando, Fla.
    Education Secretary Betsy DeVos listens at left as President Donald Trump speaks during a round table discussion at Saint Andrew Catholic School on March 3, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. The education policies Trump pursued in his first term offer clues for what a second Trump term would look like for K-12 schools.
    Alex Brandon/AP
    Federal Trump's K-12 Record in His First Term Offers a Blueprint for What Could Be Next
    In his first term, Trump sought to significantly expand school choice, slash K-12 spending, and tear down the U.S. Department of Education.
    Alyson Klein, October 28, 2024
    11 min read
    Jacob Lewis, 3, waits at a privacy booth as his grandfather, Robert Schroyer, fills out his ballot while voting at Sabillasville Elementary School, Nov. 8, 2022, in Sabillasville, Md.
    Jacob Lewis, 3, waits at a privacy booth as his grandfather, Robert Schroyer, fills out his ballot while voting at Sabillasville Elementary School, Nov. 8, 2022, in Sabillasville, Md.
    Julio Cortez/AP
    Federal From Our Research Center How Educators Say They'll Vote in the 2024 Election
    Educators' feelings on Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump vary by age and the communities where they work.
    Libby Stanford, October 21, 2024
    4 min read
    Ryan Walters, then-Republican candidate for Oklahoma State Superintendent, speaks at a rally, Nov. 1, 2022, in Oklahoma City.
    Ryan Walters speaks at a rally on Nov. 1, 2022, in Oklahoma City as a candidate for state superintendent of public instruction. He won the race and has built a national profile for governing in the MAGA mold.
    Sue Ogrocki/AP
    Federal Q&A Oklahoma State Chief Ryan Walters: 'Trump's Won the Argument on Education'
    The state schools chief's name comes up as Republicans discuss who could become education secretary in a second Trump administration.
    Alyson Klein, October 18, 2024
    8 min read
    Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris participate during an ABC News presidential debate at the National Constitution Center, Tuesday, Sept.10, 2024, in Philadelphia.
    Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris participate in an ABC News presidential debate at the National Constitution Center on Sept.10, 2024, in Philadelphia.
    Alex Brandon/AP
    Federal Why Trump and Harris Have Barely Talked About Schools This Election
    Kamala Harris and Donald Trump haven't outlined many plans for K-12 schools, reflecting what's been the norm in recent contests for the White House.
    Libby Stanford, October 17, 2024
    6 min read
    President Donald Trump, right, arrives in a classroom at St. Andrew Catholic School in Orlando, Fla., on March 3, 2017.
    President Donald Trump, right, arrives in a classroom at St. Andrew Catholic School in Orlando, Fla., on March 3, 2017.
    Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP
    Federal Who Could Be Donald Trump's Next Education Secretary?
    Trump must decide if he wants someone with a "proven track record" or a "culture warrior," says a former GOP Hill staffer.
    Alyson Klein, October 15, 2024
    9 min read
    Vice President Kamala Harris visits with students at Thomas Elementary School in Washington, Monday, April 4, 2022. During her visit, Harris announced plans to upgrade public schools with clean energy efficient facilities and transportation.
    Vice President Kamala Harris visits with students at Thomas Elementary School in Washington on Monday, April 4, 2022. Education advocates and experts aligned with Democrats are hoping the vice president would appoint someone with management expertise, like a governor, to lead the Education Department.
    Susan Walsh/AP
    Federal Who Could Be Kamala Harris' Education Secretary?
    Democrats are looking for a secretary with strong management experience, perhaps a former governor.
    Alyson Klein, October 14, 2024
    9 min read
    The U.S. Department of Education, in Washington, D.C., pictured on February 21, 2021.
    The U.S. Department of Education, in Washington, D.C., pictured on February 21, 2021.
    Graeme Sloan/Sipa USA via AP Images
    Federal Explainer The U.S. Department of Education, Explained
    There's a lot of talk—again—about eliminating the U.S. Department of Education. Here's what it does and how it works.
    Libby Stanford, October 14, 2024
    12 min read
    President Joe Biden shakes hands with a student at Eliot-Hine Middle School on Monday, Aug. 28, 2023, in Washington as he and first lady Jill Biden visit the school, located east of the U.S. Capitol, to mark the District of Columbia's first day of school for the 2023-24 year.
    President Joe Biden shakes hands with a student at Eliot-Hine Middle School on Monday, Aug. 28, 2023, in Washington as he and first lady Jill Biden visit the school, located east of the U.S. Capitol, to mark the District of Columbia's first day of school for the 2023-24 year.
    Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
    Federal The White House Set Out to Recruit Thousands of Tutors. Did It Make a Difference?
    Adults stepped up, but students' needs remain high just as interventions funded by federal relief money are at risk of ending.
    Libby Stanford, October 10, 2024
    6 min read
    People watch the presidential debate between Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, at the Gipsy Las Vegas in Las Vegas.
    People watch the presidential debate between Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris on Sept. 10, 2024, at the Gipsy Las Vegas in Las Vegas.
    John Locher/AP
    Federal Opinion Education Is an Afterthought in This Election. That’s a Problem for All of Us
    What does it say about our country if presidential candidates walk away from education policy? asks Bettina L. Love.
    Bettina L. Love, October 4, 2024
    5 min read
    Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, and Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz participate in a vice presidential debate hosted by CBS News Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in New York.
    Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, and Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz participate in a vice presidential debate hosted by CBS News Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in New York.
    Matt Rourke/AP
    Federal What JD Vance and Tim Walz Said About School Safety in VP Debate
    Education came up in the vice presidential debate, unlike the debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
    Libby Stanford, October 1, 2024
    3 min read
    Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
    DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
    Federal Opinion Project 2025's Education Lead on the Controversial Policy Agenda
    Here’s what the lead author of the education section in the Heritage Foundation’s proposal has to say.
    Rick Hess, October 1, 2024
    9 min read
    Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump dances with Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice during an event at the group's annual convention in Washington, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024.
    Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump dances with Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice during an event at the group's annual convention in Washington, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024.
    Mark Schiefelbein/AP
    Federal Moms for Liberty Co-Founder Would Be 'Honored' to Be Trump's Education Secretary
    The conservative education activist is "as much in the mix as anyone," according to a former GOP congressional staffer.
    Alyson Klein, September 25, 2024
    8 min read
    A group of school children is stopped from entering a bright red doorway by a large hand.
    Vanessa Solis/Education Week + Getty Images
    Federal Opinion Project 2025 Might Feel New, But Its Roots Reach Back Decades
    It represents the culmination of a movement to gut public education, writes Bettina L. Love.
    Bettina L. Love, September 20, 2024
    4 min read
    Ball State University students watch a presidential debate between Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, left, and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, in Muncie, Ind.
    Ball State University students watch a presidential debate between Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, left, and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, in Muncie, Ind.
    Darron Cummings/AP
    Federal Days After Georgia Shooting, No Mention of Safety or Schools in Trump-Harris Debate
    The debate came less than a week after two students and two teachers were killed at Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga.
    Evie Blad, September 10, 2024
    3 min read
    Moms for Liberty member Aura Moody dances with others at the annual Moms For Liberty Summit in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 30, 2024.
    Moms for Liberty member Aura Moody dances with others at the conservative parents' rights organization's annual summit in Washington, on Friday, August 30, 2024.
    Lawren Simmons for Education Week
    Federal Photos PHOTOS: Behind the Scenes at the Moms for Liberty National Summit
    Former President Trump was a keynote the final night—and said little about schools.
    Catriona Ni Aolain, September 3, 2024
    1 min read