Federal Policy

Illustration of a photo of the U.S. Department of Education building torn in half

What It Would Mean to Abolish the U.S. Department of Education

Half the field of Republican presidential hopefuls want it to happen—but how?
Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks as from left, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy listen during a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by FOX News Channel Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Milwaukee.

Eliminate Department of Education, Four Republican Presidential Candidates Say

Senator Tim Scott proposes to “break the backs of the teachers unions”
An illustration of a wrecking ball approaching a red schoolhouse

The Disruptive Evolution of School Improvement

Modern education reform knocks at the walls of the traditional schoolhouse
Figure 1: 22 states report no details on how ESSER dollars are spent

The Massive ESSER Experiment: Here’s what we’re learning.

Big investments in labor and vendor contracts, but scant information on how the spending affects students.
Teachers Union Leaders Becky Pringle and Randi Weingarten look on earlier this month as a member of Congress, Frederica Wilson, speaks about legislation that would raise starting teacher pay to $60,000 a year.

Democrats Push on “Teacher Pay Crisis”

Senator Sanders would set $60,000 nationwide salary minimum
Jill Biden is seen on C-Span during an appearance after the November 2022 midterm elections, speaking at the College Promise Careers Institute. “This is one area where we can make real, bipartisan progress,” Biden said.

Jill Biden Pushes “Promise Programs” as Post-Election Progress Area

Free community college idea could backfire by drawing some students away from four-year institutions
Incumbent Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, his wife Casey and their children on stage after speaking to supporters at an election night party after winning his race for reelection in Tampa, Fla., Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022.

What the 2022 Midterm Election Results Will Mean for Education Policy

The 2022 midterm elections were always going to offer voters a dubious choice. They could...
President George W. Bush signs the No Child Left Behind Act into law, with Representative George Miller and Senator Edward Kennedy behind him (from left)

20 Years Ago, NCLB Kinda, Sorta Worked. That’s the Problem

The legacy of a policy, good or bad, can long outlive the political moment that shapes it

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