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Policy & Legislation

The latest Policy & Legislation news affecting school districts across America, updated twice daily and credited to original publishers.

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Chalkbeat
Policy & Legislation
Denver school board president accuses members of policy violations, including antisemitic language

The Denver school board is set to discuss alleged policy violations by two of its members at a meeting Wednesday.

Chalkbeat
Policy & Legislation
Newark students head back to class as district rolls out cellphone ban

A student poses for a back-to-school photo at Elliot Street School on Tues., Sept. 8, 2026 in Newark.

EdSource
Policy & Legislation
UC Merced expands guaranteed admissions program

UC Merced is adding more school districts to its guaranteed admissions program. Over the years, UC Merced’s admissions program has grown to more than 60 school districts across the state. Last week, it expanded its...

The 74
Policy & Legislation
To Save SC’s Historic Black Schools, Nonprofit Launches Statewide Coalition

COLUMBIA — Helping save Lakeview School in West Columbia is Earnestine Holden’s retirement job. Like many of the people trying to save historic Black schools, Holden, who graduated from the school in 1967, isn’t a...

The 74
Policy & Legislation
Delaware District to Replace Police Officers With Constables in Middle Schools

The Christina School District will phase out its use of school resource officers at middle schools, and replace them with constables.  Following a heated debate at a meeting earlier this month, the Christina school...

EdSource
Policy & Legislation
California community colleges oppose bachelor’s degree bills after last-minute changes

Community college officials now oppose bills to expand access to bachelor’s degrees after California lawmakers made last-minute changes to the legislation, which officials say will create more barriers to offering...

EdSource
Policy & Legislation
CTA-backed group vies to force election to unionize Clovis educators

The Association of Clovis Educators (ACE), which is backed by the California Teachers Association, last week filed an intervention petition with the state labor board in hopes of forcing an election among Clovis Unified...

Policy & Legislation
Florida bans undocumented students from selective public universities

By approving the policy Thursday, the State University System of Florida’s board effectively shut undocumented students out of its 12 institutions.

Chalkbeat
Policy & Legislation
Meet five of the 2027 Colorado Teacher of the Year finalists

Colorado announced this week five of the eight finalists for the 2027 Colorado Teacher of the Year award. The state plans to announce the other three finalists next week.

EdSource
Policy & Legislation
‘Sometimes we just want to be on our phones’ — Modesto High students push back at new all-day cellphone ban

Three weeks into an all-day cellphone ban, some Modesto High School students are struggling with the transition, The Modesto Bee reported. Students are prohibited from using their phones at any point during the school...

K-12 Dive
Policy & Legislation
Not enough students know about work-based learning opportunities

Proving the effectiveness of paths such as apprenticeships can help students know their options, writes an Urban Institute senior fellow.

EdSource
Policy & Legislation
California schools can lose local control to state. Here’s how the law works

California school districts facing insolvency risk losing local control through state-appointed administrators and intensive financial oversight if they require emergency loans.

EdSource
Policy & Legislation
California Legislature passes bills to expand community college bachelor’s degree offerings

Two bills that would make it easier for California community colleges to create bachelor’s degrees cleared the Legislature on Monday night. Senate Bill 960 and Assembly Bill 2694 now head to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk. A...

EdSource
Policy & Legislation
Newsom signs law that could allow student athletes to play in higher temperatures

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Monday that could allow athletes who live in hotter parts of the state to practice and play sports in higher temperatures. Assembly Bill 2503 requires the California Interscholastic...

District Admin
Policy & Legislation
With its back-to-school video, Portland Public Schools touches a nerve for both liberals and conservatives

It begins with an address from legendary Portland drag queen, activist and educator Poison Waters, who received an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Portland State University in 2025. The post With its...

Chalkbeat
Policy & Legislation
Fewer Colorado schools are on the state’s watchlist for low performance, according to new ratings

Preliminary ratings released Monday show nearly two-thirds of Colorado schools earned a top rating.

Chalkbeat
Policy & Legislation
Philadelphia’s school selection process postponed to October

Philly Superintendent Tony Watlington told families in his back-to-school letter last week that the selective admissions process would open on Sept. 8. But due to delays in releasing state test scores, the application...

District Admin
Policy & Legislation
Tennessee is looking into changing how it evaluates schools

There are currently two education accountability systems: the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA); and the state letter grade. The post Tennessee is looking into changing how it evaluates schools appeared first on...

The 74
Policy & Legislation
Opinion: How a Tennessee Charter School Doubled its Reading Proficiency Rate in 4 Years

This summer, 81% of third graders at Nashville Classical East scored proficient in reading on our rigorous state test, the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program.  To put these results in perspective, four years...

EdSource
Policy & Legislation
Why California students deserve a seat at the education policy table

You do not need to have all the answers to be a student member of the State Board of education. You need curiosity, a willingness to listen, a passion for your peers and a desire to make your school – and your state – a...

Education Dive
Policy & Legislation
DOJ sues 4 more states over tuition laws for undocumented students

Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington are among 21 states that have faced lawsuits from the Trump administration over such policies.

The 74
Policy & Legislation
California Bill To Catch Math Struggles in Youngest Kids Heads to Governor’s Desk

In a step toward giving math the attention early literacy has gotten, the Legislature on Monday approved a bill that would require schools to assess the math capabilities of all students in kindergarten through second...

District Admin
Policy & Legislation
School districts face a back-to-school math problem: The high price of diesel

The price of a gallon of diesel is up nearly $2 compared with this time last year. That is meaningful for schools, considering that around 90% of the United States' 480,000 school buses run on diesel. The post School...

Education Dive
Policy & Legislation
Texas governor pushes for 3-year degree pathways

Greg Abbott directed the state’s higher education board to convene a working group to provide recommendations on accelerated programs by year’s end.

EdSource
Policy & Legislation
Commuter school no more? Some Sacramento State students now must live on campus

Seeking to shed its reputation as a commuter school and increase student engagement, Sacramento State now requires some first-year students to live on campus, where monthly residential costs start at about $1,000.

Chalkbeat
Policy & Legislation
Indianapolis Public Schools reverses no-zero grading policy

After roughly six years, IPS changed its grading policy to make it possible for students to receive a zero. However, students have multiple opportunities before that happens.

Chalkbeat
Policy & Legislation
Judge dismisses conservative-leaning Colorado school districts’ lawsuit over transgender athlete policies

A group of Colorado school districts and charter school lost their lawsuit challenging the state's non-discrimination law, specifically protections for transgender people.

EdSource
Policy & Legislation
Orange County school district is first to ban e-bikes, scooters on K-8 campuses

An Orange County school district has banned e-bikes, and other electric vehicles such as scooters and boards from its K-8 campuses. The Newport-Mesa Unified School District is the first in California to ban the electric...

The 74
Policy & Legislation
What to Know About State Takeovers as Texas Wrestles With the Future of Austin Public Schools

Chronic academic underperformance at two Austin public schools has the district in jeopardy of severe state sanctions. Now, Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath will decide what intervention looks like for the...

District Admin
Policy & Legislation
Pa. may ban cellphones in schools. Some educators say they’re already seeing results—without pouches

The “bell-to-bell” bans face skepticism from students and parents. After going phone-free, early adopters say the difference is striking. The post Pa. may ban cellphones in schools. Some educators say they’re already...