Elections

Learn more about how federal, state, and local elections affect schools

Explainer

Education Debates You'll Likely Hear About in the Election, Explained
Brush up on key education policy issues that could show up in national, state, and local races.
This combination of photos shows Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, left, and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris during an ABC News presidential debate at the National Constitution Center, Sept. 10, 2024, in Philadelphia.
Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris speak during an ABC News presidential debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on Sept. 10, 2024. The presidential contest isn't the only one on ballots this fall with major implications for K-12 schools.
Alex Brandon/AP
Policy & Politics Interactive Education Week's Guide to the 2024 Election
The presidential race isn't the only one on ballots this November that could have major implications for K-12 schools.
Libby Stanford, September 26, 2024
4 min read
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump dances with Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice during an event at the group's annual convention in Washington, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024.
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump dances with Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice during an event at the group's annual convention in Washington, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
Federal Moms for Liberty Co-Founder Would Be 'Honored' to Be Trump's Education Secretary
The conservative education activist is "as much in the mix as anyone," according to a former GOP congressional staffer.
Alyson Klein, September 25, 2024
8 min read
3D illustration of a character walking on the road leading to many different paths with open doors. The pathway and doors are light in color against a dark blue backgroud.
iStock/Getty
School Choice & Charters Private School Choice in the 2024 Election, Explained
Three states will ask voters to weigh in on private school choice, and another state could pave the way for more funding for choice.
Mark Lieberman, September 19, 2024
7 min read
Ball State University students watch a presidential debate between Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, left, and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, in Muncie, Ind.
Ball State University students watch a presidential debate between Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, left, and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, in Muncie, Ind.
Darron Cummings/AP
Federal Days After Georgia Shooting, No Mention of Safety or Schools in Trump-Harris Debate
The debate came less than a week after two students and two teachers were killed at Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga.
Evie Blad, September 10, 2024
3 min read
Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
Social Studies Opinion How Educators Should Approach Election Discussions in Classrooms
Are schools the right place to discuss political topics? It depends.
Rick Hess, September 10, 2024
8 min read
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz gets a huge hug from students at Webster Elementary after he signed into law a bill that guarantees free school meals, (breakfast and lunch) for every student in Minnesota's public and charter schools in Minneapolis, on March 17, 2023.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz gets a hug from students at Webster Elementary School in Minneapolis on March 17, 2023, after he signed into law a bill that guarantees free school meals for every student in Minnesota's public and charter schools. Free school meals have become a campaign issue since Walz was named Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate on the Democratic ticket.
Elizabeth Flores/Minneapolis Star Tribune via TNS
Student Well-Being How Free School Meals Became an Issue Animating the 2024 Election
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has highlighted his state's law to provide free school meals to all students as he campaigns for vice president.
Libby Stanford, September 4, 2024
6 min read
Moms for Liberty member Aura Moody dances with others at the annual Moms For Liberty Summit in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 30, 2024.
Moms for Liberty member Aura Moody dances with others at the conservative parents' rights organization's annual summit in Washington, on Friday, August 30, 2024.
Lawren Simmons for Education Week
Federal Photos PHOTOS: Behind the Scenes at the Moms for Liberty National Summit
Former President Trump was a keynote the final night—and said little about schools.
Catriona Ni Aolain, September 3, 2024
1 min read
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks with Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice during an event at the group's annual convention in Washington, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024.
Former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, speaks with Tiffany Justice, a Moms for Liberty co-founder, during the group's national summit on Friday Aug. 30, 2024, in Washington. The former president spoke only briefly about issues directly related to education.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
Federal At Moms for Liberty National Summit, Trump Hardly Mentions Education
In a "fireside chat" with a co-founder of the parents' rights group, the former president didn't discuss his education policy priorities.
Libby Stanford, August 30, 2024
5 min read
Houses made out of 100 dollar bills and lined up in a row.
iStock/Getty
Budget & Finance The Future of Property Taxes Is on Ballots This Fall. Why It Matters for Schools
Several states are considering reforms that would lower property taxes—or ask voters to approve eliminating them altogether.
Mark Lieberman, August 30, 2024
4 min read
Benjamin C. Ingman, center, former student of Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, is joined on stage by former members of the Mankato West High School football team during the Democratic National Convention Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, in Chicago.
Benjamin C. Ingman, center, a former student of Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential candidate, is joined on stage by former members of the Mankato West High School football team during the Democratic National Convention Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, in Chicago.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Federal ‘Coaching and Politics’: What Coaches See in Tim Walz's VP Candidacy
Tim Walz's experience as a football coach is viewed by fellow coaches as good preparation for national politics.
Mark Walsh, August 29, 2024
7 min read
AP U.S. government and politics teacher Shari Conditt poses for a photo in her classroom at Woodland High School on Aug. 27, 2024.
AP U.S. government and politics teacher Shari Conditt poses for a photo in her classroom at Woodland High School on Aug. 27, 2024.
Courtesy of Kyla Keefer
Social Studies In Their Own Words Teaching Presidential Elections Isn't Easy. How One Teacher Manages
Shari Conditt teaches her students about electoral processes through current events including presidential elections.
Ileana Najarro, August 28, 2024
6 min read
This combination photo shows Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an event, Aug. 15, 2024, in Bedminster, N.J., left, and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris at a campaign event in Raleigh, N.C., Aug. 16, 2024.
This combination photo shows Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an event, Aug. 15, 2024, in Bedminster, N.J., left, and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris at a campaign event in Raleigh, N.C., Aug. 16, 2024. Teachers say teaching about the election is key to boost civic engagement among students.
AP
Social Studies How Teachers Tackle 2024 Election Discussions
The 2024 presidential election offers an opportunity to grow civic engagement, teachers say.
Ileana Najarro, August 28, 2024
7 min read
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the Democratic National Convention Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Chicago.
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the Democratic National Convention Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Chicago. She alluded to proposals to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education during her acceptance speech.
Gabrielle Lurie/AP
Federal Video WATCH: 5 Key Education Moments From the Democratic National Convention
Calls to end gun violence, Tim Walz's background as a teacher, and Project 2025 all made for key K-12 moments at the 2024 convention.
Libby Stanford, August 23, 2024
7 min read
Closeup photograph of election vote buttons with text that says Education
iStock/Getty
Teaching Profession The Education Issue Americans Agree on That's Not Good News for Teaching
Americans from all sides think that teacher recruitment and retention is a big issue, but they don't want their kids becoming teachers.
Arianna Prothero, August 21, 2024
6 min read