Topic
Follow the latest education policy developments across US K-12 education. Legislation, regulation, mandates and compliance changes.
Last updated: October 1, 2026
As of October 7, 2026, K-12 News has published 4 education policy stories over the last 30 days, across 4 states and 4 organizations. The most active states are California, Florida and Maine.
Orange County Business Council and the county education department partnered on a 10-episode audio and video series covering college preparation, financial aid and course options for students and caregivers.
The Maine Department of Education has issued resources to help schools limit students’ personal device access during the school day, with guidance on routines, family communication and local implementation.
Drawing on two years of work with five state boards, NASBE’s report identifies policies to support changes in high schools, including revised diplomas, competency-based learning and local accountability.
The Florida Department of Education is taking action against commercial driver’s license training providers in the state following a federal enforcement action.
The Illinois State Board of Education released a planning resource to help districts prepare to offer annual mental health screenings for grades 3-12 starting in 2027-28. Parents may opt their children out.
Massachusetts officials have issued guidance for schools and child care providers on implementing the PROTECT Act under the Healey-Driscoll administration.
CoSN CEO Keith Krueger endorsed federal guidance that supports local decisions on school technology use and distinguishes recreational screen time from technology used for teaching and learning.
A new NASBE analysis identifies principal preparation, mentoring and regulatory flexibility as state policy tools to support high schools offering student-centered pathways to college and careers.
CoSN published an executive summary to help K-12 district leaders address screen time rules, with guidance on learning, online safeguards and local decisions. The full guide is limited to members.
Massachusetts Governor Healey signed a law aimed at preventing book bans in schools and libraries across the state, affecting access to books in both settings.
In Massachusetts, Gov. Healey signed the PROTECT Act, a measure to keep federal immigration enforcement officers out of school buildings, hospitals and courthouses.
Connecticut's State Board of Education adopted guidance recommending bell-to-bell limits on students' personal devices and addressing classroom screen time. It does not impose a statewide mandate.
The Mississippi Department of Education briefed the State Board of Education on the Mississippi Math Act and Adolescent Literacy Initiative, both set for the 2026-27 school year.
The Illinois State Board of Education issued a framework to help K-12 districts decide how to use AI in teaching and operations. It includes policy tools but sets no statewide classroom mandates.
Connecticut’s State Board of Education adopted updated guidance recommending bell-to-bell limits on students’ personal devices and addressing classroom screen time, without imposing a statewide mandate. Nationally, CoSN released guidance for district leaders on screen time policies and endorsed federal guidance supporting local technology decisions. These updates distinguish restrictions on personal or recreational device use from technology used for teaching and learning.
Federal education officials proposed changes to grant rules that would revise competition criteria, allow unspent funds to affect multiyear awards and favor applicants with lower indirect cost rates. Kansas received federal approval to pilot student assessments administered throughout the school year. In Pennsylvania, an $8 million school psychology program has placed 42 interns in 22 schools this year, with eligible interns in high-need districts able to receive stipends, Praxis fee waivers and additional training.
Connecticut is expanding K–3 reading interventions and educator coaching through a five-year, $10 million grant covering 75 elementary schools, while Massachusetts is continuing early literacy tutoring funding for 338 schools and awarded nearly $25 million for literacy instruction. Nine Pennsylvania teacher preparation programs received accreditation aligned with structured literacy standards, and Mississippi designated science-of-reading schools and is implementing a statewide adolescent literacy initiative for 2026–27. Indiana reported its fifth consecutive year of rising literacy rates, while Colorado reported elementary literacy gains alongside persistent achievement gaps and declining middle school English language arts scores. In Maine, the number of students earning biliteracy recognition rose 18 percent, and the number of high schools offering it grew 11.5 percent.
State math results varied in 2025–26: Connecticut reported gains, Colorado recorded elementary math gains across many student groups, and Mississippi saw a slight decline in math proficiency. Mississippi is implementing the Mississippi Math Act statewide in 2026–27, while Iowa selected 44 elementary students from 18 public districts and four accredited nonpublic schools for a 10-year math enrichment program with mentoring and learning support. New York released preliminary statewide mathematics test data.
State and district education leaders are making appointments and involving teachers and students in governance: Florida named a new education commissioner, New York City appointed an early childhood deputy chancellor, Missouri added its first active classroom teacher to the state board, and Illinois selected a student advisory council. Technology policies differ across jurisdictions, with New York City announcing a generative AI moratorium while Illinois issued nonbinding AI guidance and Connecticut recommended bell-to-bell limits on personal devices without a statewide mandate. Illinois increased school funding and awarded teacher recruitment and retention grants, while New York City expanded pre-K special education and Mississippi began implementing statewide math and adolescent literacy initiatives for 2026–27. Maryland reported a four-year decline in chronic absenteeism.
States are using new laws and nonbinding guidance to address access to schools and books, student devices and artificial intelligence. Massachusetts enacted laws aimed at preventing book bans in schools and libraries and keeping federal immigration enforcement officers out of schools, hospitals and courthouses. Connecticut adopted guidance recommending bell-to-bell limits on students’ personal devices and addressing classroom screen time, while Illinois issued a framework for district decisions on AI in teaching and operations; neither sets statewide classroom mandates.
Based on: New podcast in English and Spanish guides Orange County families through educational landscape
Based on: Maine DOE Releases ‘Phone-Free Schools Toolkit’
Based on: Illinois Issues Guidance to Support Universal Mental Health Screening Implementation
Based on: Connecticut Releases Updated Position Statement and Guidance on the Use of Personal and Purposeful Technology in Schools
Based on: New math and adolescent literacy initiatives to strengthen student achievement being implemented statewide in 2026-27
Based on: ISBE Releases Statewide Guidance on Artificial Intelligence in Schools
