News & Notes: May 2023

Congress started the appropriations process for fiscal year 2024, and on March 9, President Biden sent his annual budget request to Congress. The president is seeking significant increases in the overall education budget, including large increases for Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Both formula programs are NASBE budget priorities.

During the spring and summer, we expect the Senate and House Appropriations Committees to hold public hearings about the budget and to begin writing the annual spending bill that funds the U.S. Department of Education. The spending process can be expected to be contentious and extend late into the year.

Featured Items

Image of a black man voting. Credit: Canva

State Education Elections in 2024 Yield Few Shifts

Voters in nine states, three territories, and the District of Columbia elected 64 state board candidates.

Cropped shot of elementary school children using a tablet in class

Technology in Education

Savvy state leaders will set their sights on ways to broaden access to technology’s benefits, solve problems confronting educators, and protect students against the risks of misuse.

Developing Content Standards: A Foundational Task for State Boards

State boards of education typically play a central role in approving academic content standards, though their authority varies by state. This boardsmanship review outlines guiding principles and common processes to help state boards develop high-quality standards.

Upcoming Events

From the States

States Face Challenges Building a School Mental Health Workforce

Challenges persist in attracting and retaining this school-based mental health professionals, but some states, including Virginia, Ohio, Colorado, Michigan, and others, are making progress.
States Address Access to Menstrual Products in Schools

States such as Georgia, New York, Utah, and others have increasingly opted to combat “period poverty" by expanding access to free menstrual products in schools.