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Partisan School Boards Graduation Tests And Billions In Bonds For

Leo Migdal
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partisan school boards graduation tests and billions in bonds for

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. Private school choice is the education issue that has garnered the bulk of national attention, campaign spending, and heated rhetoric this election season. But it’s far from the only education issue voters will ponder as they fill out their ballots. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump haven’t addressed K-12 schools much in their dueling campaigns for the presidency.

But at the state level, major changes for schools could be on the way once voters have their say. Education Week has already highlighted several key themes among education-related ballot issues this year, including private school choice. In Colorado and Kentucky, voters will weigh in on whether school choice belongs in the state constitution. In Nebraska, they’ll decide whether to continue or shutter an existing program that devotes public funds for families to spend on private educational options for their children. In a number of states and localities across the country, voters will have the option to greenlight billions of dollars in spending on school facilities, in the form of bonds that districts pay back... Voters will also weigh in on the perennially contentious topic of property taxes, a crucial but controversial source of K-12 school funding.

Those are the most common sets of education-related developments to watch for on election night. But they’re far from the only ones. Here’s a closer look at a handful of other contests that merit attention. Donald Trump, champion of eliminating the Department of Education and cutting K-12 funding, is returning to the White House. But last night’s presidential election wasn’t the only thing on the ballot that could impact K-12 schools and the educational futures of Black students. State-level decisions about school choice, standardized testing, school boards, and school funding were also put before voters.

RELATED: Yes, Trump Won. Here’s What Happens Next School choice, a controversial policy that allows parents to use public tax dollars to send their child to charter, private, or religious schools, was on the ballot in several states. In Colorado, Amendment 80, which would have made school choice a constitutional right, is on pace to be rejected by voters. Similarly, Kentucky’s Amendment 2, which aimed to amend the state constitution to allow public funding for private education, did not pass. However, Nebraska’s Referendum 435, aiming to repeal a law providing public funds for private school tuition, was approved and will likely help preserve resources for Black students who predominantly attend public schools.

Making racially biased high-stakes standardized tests—like the SAT — optional for college admissions has long been a hot topic. And now, the test-optional movement has a victory in Massachusetts. Voters approved Question 2, which eliminates the requirement that students pass a standardized exam to graduate high school. This change is expected to increase graduation rates, including for Black students. Welcome to Hall Pass, a newsletter written to keep you plugged into the conversations driving school board governance, the politics surrounding it, and education policy. Reply to this email to share reactions or story ideas!

In this section, we curate reporting, analysis, and commentary on the issues school board members deliberate when they set out to offer the best education possible in their district. Missed an issue? Click here to see the previous education debates we’ve covered. What role should standardized testing play in K-12 public education? Scott Marion writes that standardized testing is critical for measuring success, driving learning goals, maintaining accountability, and promoting public transparency. Marion argues standardized tests are the best tool educators and public officials have for improving education quality.

June 3 (UPI) -- In more than 90% of U.S. public school districts, school board elections are nonpartisan and have been for centuries. But that long tradition may well be changing -- and putting at risk the quality of the country's education system by introducing divisive national political issues into the process by which a local community... At present, nine states have passed legislation that enables school board races to be partisan. Four states provide for board elections that have partisan affiliations listed on the ballot; another five states permit districts to choose nonpartisan or partisan races. Bills introduced in six states in 2023 would require or permit school board candidates to declare party affiliations on the ballot.

In 2024, lawmakers in Iowa, New Hampshire and Arizona introduced similar bills. Neither Iowa's nor New Hampshire's bill has yet been voted on, and Arizona's bill was vetoed by the governor. Floridians will decide on partisan school board elections at the ballot box in November 2024. The sponsor of the 2023 bill in Ohio, which has not yet passed, said partisan elections provide voters with better "information about candidate platforms." As a former school board member in Ohio and a scholar of educational leadership, I see this shift having the potential to disrupt the important work of nonpartisan school boards in communities across the... Professor of Educational Leadership, Miami University

Kathleen Knight Abowitz does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic... Miami University provides funding as a member of The Conversation US. In more than 90% of U.S. public school districts, school board elections are nonpartisan and have been for centuries. But that long tradition may well be changing – and putting at risk the quality of the country’s education system by introducing divisive national political issues into the process by which a local community... At present, nine states have passed legislation that enables school board races to be partisan.

Four states provide for board elections that have partisan affiliations listed on the ballot; another five states permit districts to choose nonpartisan or partisan races. Bills introduced in six states in 2023 would require or permit school board candidates to declare party affiliations on the ballot. 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...

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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 ...

But At The State Level, Major Changes For Schools Could

But at the state level, major changes for schools could be on the way once voters have their say. Education Week has already highlighted several key themes among education-related ballot issues this year, including private school choice. In Colorado and Kentucky, voters will weigh in on whether school choice belongs in the state constitution. In Nebraska, they’ll decide whether to continue or shut...

Those Are The Most Common Sets Of Education-related Developments To

Those are the most common sets of education-related developments to watch for on election night. But they’re far from the only ones. Here’s a closer look at a handful of other contests that merit attention. Donald Trump, champion of eliminating the Department of Education and cutting K-12 funding, is returning to the White House. But last night’s presidential election wasn’t the only thing on the ...