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Education On The Ballot Ballotpedia

Leo Migdal
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education on the ballot ballotpedia

Centralized portal serves researchers, journalists, and engaged citizens tracking America's most contentious school debates MIDDLETON, Wis., June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ballotpedia today launched its Education Policy Research Hub, a comprehensive portal that centralizes information on America's most debated education issues while connecting policy analysis to real-world political... The new resource addresses a critical gap: while education policy drives heated debates in communities nationwide, information about these policies—and the elections they influence—has been scattered across multiple sources. Ballotpedia's portal changes that by offering both high-level policy overviews and granular state-by-state analysis on trending topics, including school choice, local school board authority, K-12 curriculum development, and school board election rules. The portal serves multiple audiences with tailored benefits: For researchers and academics, it centralizes education policy information from all 50 states in one location, provides comparative analysis across states, and links policy debates to actual election outcomes and candidate positions.

On Tuesday, voters will decide on more education-related ballot measures than ever before, says Michelle Exstrom, director of the education program at the National Conference of State Legislatures. Most of the questions fall into one of two buckets—revenue-raising measures for K-12 schools and community colleges or school choice initiatives. Funding for public schools has been an historically popular issue, but “in general, we’re seeing in some states, especially in some school districts, it seems to be harder and harder to pass revenue raising... Indeed, California voters struck down a $15 billion bond measure for capital improvements at K-12 schools and community colleges in 2020. In Michigan, Republican and Democratic districts alike have had a harder time getting local bond measures passed since 2020. In addition to statewide bond questions, voters in 317 school districts across the country will decide on local education bond measures, per Ballotpedia, with a majority focused on funding for infrastructure repairs and improvements.

“It is something that legislatures are keeping their eye on because so much of education funding comes from the local side,” Exstrom says. “And so as school districts or the state are more and more challenged to pass those revenue measures, they’re falling further and further behind, particularly on capital and facilities [maintenance].” School choice remains a hot-button issue, and three states will ask voters to decide on measures that could cement existing or clear the way for school choice programs. For example, in Colorado, school choice advocates are working to add language to the state constitution that would enshrine students’ and families’ right to school choice, and which could open the door to state-sponsored... Nebraska voters will face a referendum on an existing voucher program that distributes $10 million in scholarships each year for students to attend accredited private schools in the state. Though education has taken a back seat this election season, both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have spoken about education related topics on the campaign trail—Trump has suggested shuttering the...

That said, public education funding and policy is largely in the hands of the states. In total, 14 states will put education-related ballot questions before voters next week, covering everything from lottery-funded scholarships, partisan school board elections, high school graduation assessments and college governance. Read on for an explanation of all 16 ballot initiatives, listed alphabetically by state.

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Centralized Portal Serves Researchers, Journalists, And Engaged Citizens Tracking America's

Centralized portal serves researchers, journalists, and engaged citizens tracking America's most contentious school debates MIDDLETON, Wis., June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ballotpedia today launched its Education Policy Research Hub, a comprehensive portal that centralizes information on America's most debated education issues while connecting policy analysis to real-world political... The new reso...

On Tuesday, Voters Will Decide On More Education-related Ballot Measures

On Tuesday, voters will decide on more education-related ballot measures than ever before, says Michelle Exstrom, director of the education program at the National Conference of State Legislatures. Most of the questions fall into one of two buckets—revenue-raising measures for K-12 schools and community colleges or school choice initiatives. Funding for public schools has been an historically popu...

“It Is Something That Legislatures Are Keeping Their Eye On

“It is something that legislatures are keeping their eye on because so much of education funding comes from the local side,” Exstrom says. “And so as school districts or the state are more and more challenged to pass those revenue measures, they’re falling further and further behind, particularly on capital and facilities [maintenance].” School choice remains a hot-button issue, and three states w...

That Said, Public Education Funding And Policy Is Largely In

That said, public education funding and policy is largely in the hands of the states. In total, 14 states will put education-related ballot questions before voters next week, covering everything from lottery-funded scholarships, partisan school board elections, high school graduation assessments and college governance. Read on for an explanation of all 16 ballot initiatives, listed alphabetically ...