Ed Note

Our blog features education research and policy trends, promising practices from states and partners, and anecdotes from our work with state leaders across the country.

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K-12

Oct. 6, 2026

State Accountability for Charter Schools

Developing school accountability systems at the state level is a complex process; the unique qualities of charter schools can, at times, require unique approaches. Currently, states primarily address charter school […]

Early Education (P-3)High School K-12 Postsecondary Workforce

Oct. 1, 2026

2026 State Elections Gearing Up to Impact Education

Changes in political leadership influence how education policy is prioritized, created and implemented in states and territories. As we look ahead to November, this year’s general elections are expected to have […]

Postsecondary

Sept. 17, 2026

How 2026 Legislation Expanded Access to Prison Education Opportunities

Research has shown that access to postsecondary education in prison increases the odds that individuals will secure employment after release, which is critical to successful reentry into their communities. Education […]

K-12

Sept. 10, 2026

Addressing Classroom Screen Time Beyond Cell Phones

Screen time, and the role schools can play in limiting it, has been a serious concern for many parents, educators and policymakers in recent years. A 2024 survey by the […]

K-12

Sept. 9, 2026

Ensuring School Districts Purchase Beneficial AI Tools

As states continue to develop guidance for districts around the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in K-12 education, it’s important to consider the role states play in supporting districts’ procurement […]

K-12 Workforce

Sept. 2, 2026

How States Recruit and Retain Rural Teachers

Nearly a third of all U.S. schools are classified as rural schools. Together, these schools educate nearly 1 in 5 students. However, rural schools often struggle to attract and retain a sufficient and high-quality teaching workforce. This is partially due to limited local tax bases, less competitive salaries […]

High School Workforce

Aug. 27, 2026

The Standard of Career and Technical Education in Oklahoma

The wind recently swept me down to Oklahoma to learn more about their career and technology education ecosystem on behalf of the ECS team. While states reconsider their career and […]

K-12

Aug. 25, 2026

Measuring Economic Status Through Changes in Free and Reduced-Price Lunch

For decades, free and reduced-price lunch (FRPL) status has been the primary measure for identifying and counting studentswho are facing economic barriers. States have used FRPL counts for critical services such as determining school […]

K-12

Aug. 20, 2026

Summer of Growth: How Montana Centers Educators and Local Leadership

This summer, I had the pleasure of joining a convening hosted at the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education at the University of Montana under the leadership of ECS Commissioners Erin Ellis and Daniel Lee on behalf of our team. They brought together […]

Early Education (P-3)K-12

Aug. 12, 2026

Shifting To Asset-Based Numeracy Screeners

It’s no mystery that we have a crisis in K-8 math instruction in this country. NAEP scores, NCES scores, employer concerns about skills and knowledge gaps, and dwindling U.S. competitiveness point to an underlying problem: many of our […]

High School Workforce

July 29, 2026

From Classroom to Career: How Tennessee is Preparing Students for the Future

The Tennessee Department of Education’s Division of Postsecondary, Workforce, CTE (Career and Technical Education) and Military Readiness is focused on ensuring every student graduates from high school ready for what's […]

Postsecondary

July 23, 2026

What Does the Research Say About Community College Bachelor’s Degree Programs?

States face a growing challenge: How to expand access to affordable bachelor's degrees while meeting workforce demands in high-need industries. As employers increasingly seek workers with four-year credentials, policymakers are looking […]