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 Workforce

June 17, 2025

How States Are Responding to the Rise of AI in Education

When ChatGPT debuted in 2022, no states had policies related to generative artificial intelligence (genAI). Fast forward to April 2025, and at least 28 states have published guidance on AI […]

Early Education (P-3)

June 3, 2025

Leveraging Data to Improve Early Childhood Outcomes

State leaders face complex decisions about how to allocate resources, improve program delivery, and ensure children receive the support they need to thrive. This has always been the case, but […]

Postsecondary Workforce

May 22, 2025

Education and Workforce Benefits of Enhanced Wage Records

Which policies and investments are most likely to advance individuals’ economic opportunities while strengthening state economies? Some states have begun adopting a critical tool for understanding this key relationship: […]

May 19, 2025

Why Salt Lake City Is the Place to Be This July

The coming years present opportunities for education policy as state leadership on education policy becomes more central than ever to student outcomes. Written 60 years ago, Education Commission of the […]

Postsecondary Workforce

May 1, 2025

Linking Postsecondary and Workforce Outcomes Data Nationally

Postsecondary education access has expanded across the nation, but many states still struggle to understand how credentials and degrees translate to meaningful employment outcomes. Nationally, only half of bachelor’s […]

K-12

April 1, 2025

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

March 26, 2025

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

March 20, 2025

New Hampshire Takes Groundbreaking Steps to Expand Higher Education in Prison

After a bipartisan act of Congress reinstated Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated learners as of July 2023, the focus in carceral education circles turned to how states could prepare to […]

Postsecondary

March 11, 2025

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

Jan. 22, 2025

Making Statewide Accountability Systems Stronger and More Equitable

As the country approaches the 10-year mark since the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), it's clear that K-12 education is at a crucial juncture. Despite recent progress, […]

High School Postsecondary Workforce

Jan. 8, 2025

3 Ways States Expanded Prison Education Opportunities in 2024

At least 95% of people who are incarcerated will eventually be released. Many will leave custody without access to postsecondary education and training that could help them successfully transition back […]

Postsecondary Workforce

Nov. 22, 2024

Aligning Initiatives for Collaborative Education and Reentry Efforts in North Carolina

In January 2024, North Carolina signed onto the Council of State Government’s national Reentry 2030 initiative, which aims to drastically improve reentry success for people exiting prison and those under […]