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- Federal Policy Watch -

Federal Policy Watch

Welcome to Federal Policy Watch, a regular blog series from OAESA designed to keep our members informed about federal decisions that directly impact PreK-8 education. These updates are provided by OAESA’s Federal Relations Representative, Dr. Nick Neiderhouse, and will highlight key policy developments, funding decisions, and national conversations shaping the work of school leaders. Our goal is to ensure you have timely, relevant information to navigate the shifting federal landscape with confidence and clarity.

Federal Relations Coordinator Meeting
October 5, 2026

NAESP NSLAC 2027

  • NAESP’s National School Leaders Advocacy Conference (NSLAC) will be at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. from February 7–10, 2027.
  • Please contact David or Allie to preliminarily indicate your intended attendance and that of your state affiliate colleagues.

FCC E-Rate Action Alert

  • The FCC is considering changes to the E-Rate program, which supports internet connectivity and network services in schools and libraries.
    • NAESP encourages school leaders to submit public comments about E-Rate’s importance and impact.
    • NAESP has provided suggested language and a template to easily submit public comments here.
  • The public comment deadline is October 13, 2026.

NAESP Submits EDGAR Comments

  • The U.S. Department of Education is considering changes to the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR).
  • On September 24, 2026, NAESP submitted formal comments to the U.S. Department of Education regarding proposed changes to the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), which govern federal education grants.
  • NAESP's comments address the proposed regulatory changes and their implications for schools and school leaders.
  • View NAESP's submitted comments on the NAESP website.

Title IX Regulations

  • The Trump administration officially rescinded the Biden administration’s Title IX regulations, which had replaced rules issued during the first Trump administration.
  • The previous now current guidance provides less protections and procedures affecting LGBTQ+ students as compared to the Biden-era version nor do they address participation in school sports.
  • Changes primarily concern sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual assault investigations on college campuses.

Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program

  • A new federal tax credit scholarship program is scheduled to take effect in 2027.
    • The Treasury Department has just issued rules for its implementation.
    • Taxpayers can get a $1,700 tax credit for contributions to qualified scholarship-granting organizations for eligible educational expenses.
    • Eligible expenses for students include private school tuition and certain public school expenses such as extracurricular tutoring.
    • Because this is a federal tax credit and not a federal payment, there are none of the special education or civil rights protections that accompany federal education programs.
  • Education advocates have raised concerns about accountability, transparency, and safeguards.
  • Look for state governors to announce whether they will allow the creation of SGO in their states over the next several months.

National Principals Month

  • NAESP and the American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA) will host a joint webinar, Principal Success Stories-In Their Own Words, featuring practicing principals from across the country who will share their success stories and positive experiences in school leadership.
  • NAESP’s panelists are Annette Sanchez (Texas) and Doug Ammeraal (Michigan). AFSA’s are Eric Brown (California) and Terita Walker (Colorado).
  • The webinar will take place on October 28 at 4:00 p.m. ET.

Guest Speaker: Tom Keily, Education Commission of the States (ECS)

Education Leadership and the 2026 Elections: What to Watch

  • Education Commission of the States (ECS) is a nonpartisan organization that helps state education policymakers learn from one another, share experiences, and develop effective education policies.
    • ECS supports policymakers in governors’ offices, state legislatures, departments of education, higher education, early childhood education, and state boards of education.
    • The organization provides interstate collaboration and resources across education policy issues.

Upcoming State Elections

  • The November 2026 elections are expected to produce the most significant turnover in state education leadership since 2018. Nearly every state may welcome new policymakers and education leaders.
    • 38 gubernatorial elections: 36 states (and Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.)
    • 8 Chief State School Officer elections.
    • 9 state board of education elections.
    • 88 state legislative chambers holding elections, plus elections for the D.C. Council and legislatures in American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

2026 Gubernatorial Elections

  • Of the 36 states, 21 are expected to elect new governors, the largest number of guaranteed transitions since at least 2018.
  • Transitions reflect term limits, retirements, decisions not to run, and primary outcomes.
  • Changes could affect education policy, agency leadership, and advocacy relationships.
  • Governors in 31 states can appoint at least one state board of education member; 15 governors will have authority to appoint their Chief State School Officer.
    • States expecting new governors with authority over Chief State School Officer appointments or related education leadership: Alaska, California, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Michigan, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Rhode Island, New Mexico, Minnesota, Iowa, Tennessee, Maine, Ohio, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

State Higher Education Executive Officer (SHEEO) Appointments

  • Nine incumbent or incoming governors will have authority to appoint their SHEEO.

Incumbent Governors Newly Elected Governors

                                      Maryland                                           New Mexico

                                 Pennsylvania                               Colorado

                               New Hampshire                             Minnesota

                                   Connecticut                                   Ohio

                                         Hawaii

Gubernatorial Campaign Priorities

  • Educators pay and benefits; fully funding public schools.
  • Literacy and reading achievement; workforce development and training.
  • Career and technical education (CTE), secondary apprenticeships, adult credentialing, and apprenticeships.

Chief State School Officer Elections

  • Eight states will hold elections for Chief State School Officers in November.
    • Incumbents seeking reelection: Idaho, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Georgia.
    • New candidates: Oklahoma, Wyoming, Arizona, and California.
      • California will elect a superintendent, but a recently enacted law transfers much of that office’s authority to a new State Education Commissioner appointed by the governor, similar to Ohio’s recent restructuring.

Chief State School Officer Campaign Priorities

  • The 16 candidates have backgrounds ranging from legislative education leadership to state board and community service. 
  • Shared priorities include:
    • Educator compensation, benefits, workforce pathways, and professional development.
    • School funding, accountability, and transparency; family engagement.
    • Mathematics, literacy, financial literacy, CTE, and workforce readiness.
    • AI approaches emphasizing student safety and responsible technology use.

Guaranteed Leadership Transitions

  • New governors with education leadership appointment authority: New Mexico, Tennessee, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, Maine, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
  • Both a newly elected governor and Chief State School Officer expected: California, Wyoming, and Oklahoma.
  • These changes offer advocates opportunities to establish relationships and communicate school leadership priorities.

State Board of Education Elections

  • Governors in 31 states may appoint at least one board of education member.
  • Nine states and territories will elect board members, with 42 seats identified in the presentation.
    • Partisan elections: Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Texas, Alabama, Michigan, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    • Nonpartisan elections: Nebraska and Washington, D.C.

State or Territory    Seats Up Current Majority

Alabama             4 of 9                     Republican

Colorado             3 of 9                     Democratic

Kansas             5 of 10                     Republican

Michigan             2 of 8                     Democratic

Nebraska             4 of 8                     Nonpartisan

Texas             8 of 15       Republican

Utah             8 of 15         Republican

Washington, D.C.      4 of 9     Nonpartisan

U.S. Virgin Islands     4 of 9     Democratic

 

State Legislative Elections and Education Committee Leadership

  • 88 of the nation’s 99 state legislative chambers will hold elections for some or all members.
  • Republicans currently control 57 state legislative chambers nationwide.
  • Democrats currently control 39 state legislative chambers nationwide. 
  • State legislatures have at least 155 standing committees focused on education related issues.
  • At least 28 education committee chairs will not return in 2027 due to term limits, retirement, decisions not to seek reelection, or campaigns for other offices.

Education-Related Ballot Measures

  • ECS is tracking 26 education-related ballot measures across 12 states, its largest tracked total in an election cycle. 
  • Counts could change through certification and litigation.
    • New Mexico 4
    • Arizona 3
    • California 2
    • Washington 3
    • Colorado 2
    • Nebraska 1
    • North Dakota 1
    • Oklahoma 1
    • Louisiana 2
    • Alabama 3
    • Vermont 1
    • Rhode Island 2
  • Thirteen measures directly address education funding.
  • Five measures across four states address governance, including district consolidation, elections, and school board representation.
  • Additional measures cover other education policy topics.

ECS Resources

Federal Relations Archived Updates:

Questions can be directed to OAESA Federal Relations Coordinator: Dr. Nick Neiderhouse at nneiderhouse@rossfordschools.org

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