Policy Issues


Federal Per-Pupil Spending Map Gives Rundown for Each School and District

The United States Department of Education has launched an interactive map that shows how much money each school spends per student. So far, districts and schools in 20 states have been added to the map.

NCTA and EducationSuperHighway to Help Schools Identify Home Broadband Gaps

Two organizations have kicked off a project to help increase home connectivity for students. The "K-12 Bridge to Broadband" initiative is the brainchild of the Internet & Television Association (NCTA) and EducationSuperHighway, a national nonprofit that helped lead work to close the classroom connectivity gap. The goal is to help public school districts and states identify the students who need access to the internet and potentially connect them.

DC to Cover Internet Bills for 25,000 Families

The project will be coordinated by the District's Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) and will incorporate internet streaming through Comcast's Internet Essentials and RCN's Internet First programs.

Dems and GOP Split over How Schools Should Reopen

While most Republicans would prefer that fall classes be in person, Democrats feel even more strongly that they should be remote. That finding comes from a recent poll conducted by Ipsos on behalf of NPR.

Rubric Helps Districts Identify Areas of Improvement for Fall Return

Several education associations and education technology companies have weighed in on updates to a rubric for helping school districts determine their readiness for online learning.

Study Recommends Total Ban on Facial Recognition in Schools

A study by researchers out of the University of Michigan's Ford School of Public Policy noted thsat facial recognition technology does not work the same for all people and that it will disproportionately "impact particularly vulnerable populations."

Time Spent in Virtual Schooling Probably Didn't Meet State Thresholds

How much virtual schooling happened during the early months of the pandemic? Less than what the laws in at least half of states say students should be getting.

Experts Weigh In: How to Reopen Schools Safely

A team of clinicians, scientists and educators has examined the issues involved in helping schools prevent the spread of COVID-19. Among the essentials that will be required: "large-scale" viral testing in students, appropriate communications and robust contact tracing.

NEA Predicts 20 Percent Decline in Education Workforce

The largest labor union in the country, the National Education Association, has estimated that the United States could lose 1.9 million education jobs unless Congress delivers additional funding for states and localities to bolster support for schools.

New Report Guides States on Helping Deliver Digital Learning

How can states support their schools' efforts to deliver digital learning? That’s the topic of a new report from SETDA, the State Educational Technology Directors Association, an organization for technology leaders at state levels. The report defined digital learning as "any learning powered by technology," whether inside or outside of the classroom.

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