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Governors’ Top Education Priorities in 2025 State of the State Addresses

In a critical year for state education policy, State of the State addresses offer time for new and incumbent governors to outline policy priorities and elevate successes. For the past 20 years, we’ve tracked, analyzed and identified education policy trends in governors’ State of the State addresses to help you understand trending education issues across states. 

This year’s Special Report includes 49 addresses and a detailed look at the top seven trends we found across state education-related proposals. We’ve also included an extra emerging trend that 17 governors mentioned in their address this year.  

Download the full report to learn about each trend and accompanying state examples.  

The trends at a glance are: 

  • Workforce development and career and technical education. 
  • K-12 funding. 
  • Teacher workforce. 
  • Academic achievement. 
  • Early care and education. 
  • Physical and mental health. 
  • School choice.  

 Use our interactive map to find complete summaries of education policy priorities outlined in each governor's State of the State address. 

We’re grateful for our continued collaboration with the National Governors Association on this report.

Published:

March 31, 2025

Resource Type:

Copyright 2025 / Education Commission of the States. All rights reserved.

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