Standards & Curriculum

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Policy Levers to Advance Credential Transparency

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Policy Brief

Governors' State of the State Addresses: Education-Related Proposals

Education Commission of the States tracks education-related proposals from governors’ annual State of the State addresses. Click on a state in the map below to view annual state-specific proposals. (Purple […]

State Information Request: Teaching and Assessing Soft Skills

A state department of education leader asked for information about how states teach or assess soft skills Our response covers ways that states, districts and schools have sought to include […]

50-State Comparison: State K-3 Policies

Following a high-quality early care and education experience, the kindergarten-through-third-grade years set the foundation upon which future learning builds; and strengthening this continuum creates opportunities for later success. Key policy […]

Ed Note Blog Posts

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Postsecondary

Developmental Education Reform Evolving from Pilots to Policy

What began as pilot programs and internal guidance on statewide developmental education reform policy is now being formalized through legislation and systemwide mandates. From 2021 to 2025, a growing […]

K-12

The Role of High-Impact Tutoring for States and School Districts

Without federal emergency education funds, states likely will play a larger role in supporting high-impact tutoring in schools. State leaders may wonder why and how they can continue supporting student […]

High School K-12

How States Can Invest in Entrepreneurship Education

In today’s fast-changing economy, young people need more than academic achievement to thrive. They need the skills, mindset and agency to navigate complex career landscapes and emerging technologies. As states […]

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

Solving the Math Policy Equation: Four Takeaways From Our Inaugural Math Policy Meeting

At this year’s National Forum on Education Policy, math was among the topic highlights. Student outcomes in math remain below pre-pandemic levels, and the most recent Nation’s Report Card […]

High School K-12

AI Pilot Programs in K-12 Settings

As of March 2025, 28 states have published or adopted artificial intelligence (AI) guidance for K-12 education. As a majority of states have now set the groundwork for issuing guidance, […]

K-12

Implementing Mental Health Education in States

Schools can be ideal settings to address youth mental health needs, yet they struggle to provide effective services. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 96% of public schools […]

Postsecondary Workforce

Data Drives Effective Use of Nondegree Credentials

As the education and workforce landscapes change, the need for postsecondary education has increased for students. Estimates show that 72% of jobs will require postsecondary education or training by 2031. […]

Postsecondary

A Conversation With Victoria Ballerini, the New Director of Strong Start to Finish

In January, Victoria Ballerini joined Strong Start to Finish, an Education Commission of the States initiative, as its permanent director after serving on an interim basis. Strong Start to Finish […]

K-12

Students lean against a table around their teacher as they building a remote-controlled vehicle as a group.

The State of Career Exploration in Middle School

In the U.S., students typically don’t begin career exploration until high school and often as late as junior or senior year. However, experts tend to agree that middle school […]

High School K-12

A child holds a small American flag out of a car window. The child is smiling in the reflection of the side view mirror.

Civics Education Carved in New Hampshire Granite

In recent years, New Hampshire has reimagined its policy commitments to K-12 civics education. Last spring, the New Hampshire Civic Learning Coalition, convened by NH Civics, championed S.B. 216 — […]

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