Closing the charter facilities funding gap in Oklahoma | Secretary Dan Hamlin

Quick Update: Literacy, pathways and phone-free schools gain ground

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins takes listeners on a cross-country tour of the latest education policy developments as legislative sessions begin winding down and states race to finalize their agendas. From Arizona to Pennsylvania, lawmakers are advancing policies designed to strengthen student outcomes, expand opportunity and better prepare students for success in school and beyond.   Ashley highlights growing momentum around literacy, with major developments in Louisiana, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, including new investments in evidence-based reading instruction, tutoring and adolescent literacy supports. The episode also explores efforts to strengthen career pathways and workforce readiness through improved career coaching, workforce coordination and return-on-investment analysis, as well as continued movement on distraction-free learning policies and emerging investments in artificial intelligence tools for education.   As states approach key budget and adjournment deadlines, this episode offers a timely snapshot of the policies gaining traction and the trends shaping education reform across the country. Whether you're following literacy, math, workforce development or student engagement, these state actions provide valuable insight into where education policy is headed next.  Remember to join the conversation on social media.   ExcelinEd in Action (@ExcelinAction) / X (twitter.com) [https://twitter.com/ExcelinAction]    ExcelinEd in Action (@excelinedinaction) • Instagram  [https://www.instagram.com/ExcelinEdinAction]    ExcelinEd in Action (@excelinedinaction) • BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/excelinaction.bsky.social]    ExcelinEd in Action on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/excelinedinaction]  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Closing the charter facilities funding gap in Oklahoma | Secretary Dan Hamlin

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins heads to Oklahoma to examine the state’s newly enacted effort to close one of the biggest barriers to public charter school growth: access to facilities financing. Through HB 3372, state leaders created both a revolving loan fund for charter school capital projects and a bond credit enhancement program designed to help qualifying schools secure more affordable financing for buildings and improvements.  Ashley is joined by Oklahoma Secretary of Education Dan Hamlin to discuss why facilities rose to the top as an urgent policy issue, how Oklahoma adapted lessons from other states, what safeguards were built into the model and which schools stand to benefit most. Their conversation also looks at what this kind of financing framework can make possible for school leaders, students and families when high-quality public charter schools have a more realistic path to stable, permanent facilities.  The episode also widens the lens to Oklahoma’s broader K-12 policy wins this session, including distraction-free learning, literacy, teacher incentives and student supports, and explores the implementation challenges that come next. As states consider how to expand educational opportunity while maintaining accountability, Oklahoma’s approach offers a timely example of how policymakers can align facilities access, legislative strategy and long-term execution.  Remember to join the conversation on social media.   ExcelinEd in Action (@ExcelinAction) / X (twitter.com) [https://twitter.com/ExcelinAction]    ExcelinEd in Action (@excelinedinaction) • Instagram  [https://www.instagram.com/ExcelinEdinAction]    ExcelinEd in Action (@excelinedinaction) • BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/excelinaction.bsky.social]    ExcelinEd in Action on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/excelinedinaction]  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Quick Update: Major education policy wins as more state sessions wrap

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins takes a step back to examine the major education policy developments emerging as legislative sessions wrap up across the country. With several states officially adjourned and others racing toward the finish line, the episode highlights the proposals, priorities and trends that gained momentum during the 2026 session.  Ashley begins in Oklahoma, where lawmakers advanced one of the most sweeping education agendas in recent memory. The conversation explores major reforms related to literacy, math instruction, charter school facilities funding, distraction-free learning environments, teacher compensation and artificial intelligence in schools. The episode also highlights additional developments still moving in states including South Carolina, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Louisiana and Delaware, offering listeners a national snapshot of where state education policy is headed.  From science-of-reading implementation and math accountability to workforce pathways, school choice and modernized funding systems, this episode captures the broad range of strategies states are pursuing to improve outcomes for students, educators and communities.  Remember to join the conversation on social media.   ExcelinEd in Action (@ExcelinAction) / X (twitter.com) [https://twitter.com/ExcelinAction]    ExcelinEd in Action (@excelinedinaction) • Instagram  [https://www.instagram.com/ExcelinEdinAction]    ExcelinEd in Action (@excelinedinaction) • BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/excelinaction.bsky.social]    ExcelinEd in Action on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/excelinedinaction] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Funding what works: Alabama’s outcomes-based approach to higher education | Sen. Arthur Orr

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins heads to Alabama to explore the state’s newly enacted approach to outcomes-based funding in higher education. Signed into law alongside the state budget, the College and Higher Education Excellence and Results (CHEER) Act ties a portion of public college and university funding to measures, such as degree completion, job placement, wages and long-term economic mobility.   Ashley is joined by Senator Arthur Orr, Chairman of the Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee, to discuss what prompted this shift, how the policy is designed to work and what it could mean for students, institutions and Alabama’s workforce needs.   The conversation explores how lawmakers built consensus around a major funding reform, the challenges of defining meaningful student outcomes and how the state is balancing workforce alignment with broader educational priorities. As more states examine how public investments in higher education connect to long-term student success, Alabama’s approach offers a timely look at how policymakers can align funding, accountability and economic opportunity.  Remember to join the conversation on social media.   ExcelinEd in Action (@ExcelinAction) / X (twitter.com) [https://twitter.com/ExcelinAction]    ExcelinEd in Action (@excelinedinaction) • Instagram  [https://www.instagram.com/ExcelinEdinAction]    ExcelinEd in Action (@excelinedinaction) • BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/excelinaction.bsky.social]    ExcelinEd in Action on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/excelinedinaction]  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Quick Update: From appreciation to action—how states are supporting teachers

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins marks Teacher Appreciation Week by taking a closer look at how states are moving beyond recognition to implement policies that strengthen and sustain the educator workforce. Rather than focusing on a single bill or state, this episode highlights a growing national trend: lawmakers advancing thoughtful, long-term strategies to recruit, support and retain high-quality teachers.  Ashley walks through key areas of momentum across the country, including efforts to expand pathways into the profession, improve teacher preparation and support and rethink compensation and career advancement. From new approaches to certification and mobility to investments in mentoring, pay and leadership opportunities, states are beginning to take a more comprehensive view of what it takes to support educators at every stage of their careers.  As challenges like teacher shortages and burnout continue to shape the education landscape, this episode offers a timely snapshot of how states are responding—not with quick fixes, but with structural changes designed to make teaching a more sustainable and impactful profession over time.  Remember to join the conversation on social media.   ExcelinEd in Action (@ExcelinAction) / X (twitter.com) [https://twitter.com/ExcelinAction]    ExcelinEd in Action (@excelinedinaction) • Instagram  [https://www.instagram.com/ExcelinEdinAction]    ExcelinEd in Action (@excelinedinaction) • BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/excelinaction.bsky.social]    ExcelinEd in Action on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/excelinedinaction]  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.