Recapping the biggest education policy changes from the 2026 legislative session | Patricia Levesque

Recapping the biggest education policy changes from the 2026 legislative session | Patricia Levesque

In our season finale of Statehouse Spotlights, Executive Director Patricia Levesque joins host Ashley Mullins to recap one of the most active education policy years we’ve covered. From math and literacy to phone-free schools, teacher policy, pathways, school choice, accountability and responsible artificial intelligence, state leaders moved big ideas through statehouses across the country.  Hear what made the 2026 legislative session stand out, even in an election year, and how states connected policy priorities into stronger systems for students. Patricia highlights momentum in math and K-8 literacy, the rapid rise of distraction-free learning policies, growing attention to student safety and AI guardrails, and new efforts to support teachers, strengthen pathways and make school choice policies work well for families.  As the season closes, Patricia shares a clear message for state leaders: focus on policy, program and perseverance. Strong laws matter, but so does faithful implementation, and states that improve student outcomes keep building, measuring, adjusting and moving forward. Thanks for joining us this season! We’ll be back with a bonus episode after the November midterm elections to break down what the results could mean for education policy across the states.  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: June bill movement as sessions wind down

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins shares a mid-June update as legislative sessions begin to wind down across the country. With only a handful of states still in session, meaningful education policy is still moving—from math intervention and charter facilities access in Ohio to major literacy reform in Massachusetts, student safety and AI guidance in North Carolina, and new threats to education choice programs in Pennsylvania.  The episode highlights Ohio’s SB 19, which heads to Gov. Mike DeWine with new requirements for evidence-based math and reading interventions, school-level math improvement plans, advanced math access for high-performing students and high-quality instructional materials. Ashley also previews continued movement on Sen. Andy Brenner’s SB 311, a charter and private school facilities bill expected to return in the fall.  Listeners will also hear why Massachusetts is nearing a major literacy milestone, how North Carolina is addressing social media safeguards and responsible AI use in schools, and why Pennsylvania’s latest proposals could sharply reduce scholarship access and charter school funding.   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.

Building on success: Mississippi’s push on adolescent literacy | Superintendent Lance Evans

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins heads to Mississippi to examine the state’s next phase of literacy reform: a new effort to strengthen reading instruction and intervention for students in grades 4 through 8. After earning national recognition for its progress in early literacy, Mississippi is now building on that foundation through Senate Bill 2294, which requires evidence-based literacy practices aligned to the science of reading in the middle grades and establishes new supports for students who continue to struggle with reading.   Ashley is joined by Mississippi State Superintendent of Education Lance Evans to discuss why adolescent literacy became the next priority, what it means to apply the science of reading beyond third grade and how the state is adapting its successful early literacy model for older students with different academic needs. Their conversation explores what schools and educators can expect under the new law, the implementation supports that will be needed and what success could look like for students and families as Mississippi works to sustain literacy growth through middle school.  The episode also widens the lens to Mississippi’s broader education package, including expanded math coaching, universal math screening, financial literacy and artificial intelligence instruction, and considers how these reforms fit together as part of a larger strategy to improve academic outcomes and long-term readiness. As other states look for ways to build on early literacy gains without losing momentum, Mississippi’s approach offers a timely example of how policymakers can invest in continuity, raise expectations and keep students at the center of reform.   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: 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.