As new state fiscal years begin, summer vacations are coming to an end, and the 2025-2026 academic year is ready to kickoff, educational service agency (ESA) staff and stakeholders are well positioned to assess which priorities have shaped state education policy thus far in 2025.
According to data from Education Commission of the States, 874 education and related bills have been passed and enacted in 2025. Education funding and equity remain at the forefront as states navigate delays and complications in federal Title programs and other essential grants, especially for high-need districts. At the same time, governors and legislators are showing strong interest in modernizing teaching roles, expanding real-world learning opportunities, and safeguarding student well-being—viewing these as foundational strategies to accelerate learning recovery and improve student outcomes.
With notable legislative activity around topics such as social media and cell phone use, school safety, college affordability, K-12 governance, funding models, teacher licensure, and early learning and childcare, this edition of the State Examiner spotlights legislation from the nation’s most active state legislative bodies including Arkansas (74), Virginia (65), Texas (46), Washington (36), Illinois (35), Tennessee (34), Utah (31), Montana (31), Oregon (30), North Dakota (27), and Oklahoma (27).
Social Media and Cell Phones
- Arkansas: The “Bell to Bell, No Cell Act” now bans student cell phone use throughout the school day, supporting distraction-free learning environments. Exceptions apply for emergencies and medical needs, with funding available for phone lockers or locking pouches.
- Texas: The legislature enacted a ban on cell phone usage during instructional time across public schools, part of broader classroom discipline reforms.
- Washington: No direct ban, but policymakers continue to weigh digital distraction policies.
- Illinois: Governor Pritzker proposed and advanced a law requiring every school district to adopt strict limits on personal device use during instructional hours.
- Utah: SB 178 prohibits student cell phone and smartwatch use during classroom hours in public schools, aiming to reduce distractions.
- Montana: No major new cell phone legislation recorded as of this session.
- Oregon: Governor Tina Kotek signed Executive Order 25-09 mandating a prohibition on cell phone use during the school day in K-12 public schools, with a full policy rollout required by January 1, 2026.
School Safety
- Arkansas: Act 229 requires public schools to provide age-appropriate firearm safety instruction, and Eli’s Law (Act 908) mandates audio recording in locker rooms for enhanced safety.
- Texas: A comprehensive new law boosts security including increased funding per student for safety measures and encourages best-practice crisis management plans.
- Washington: HB 1644 establishes new penalties and expanded protections in workplaces for minors. Other legislative efforts target safe school climates.
- Illinois: Continued investments in security measures and mandates for clear school safety protocols.
- Utah: Passed a $25 million assessment of school safety needs (HB40) and discipline amendments to improve school climate.
- Montana: Focus on safe physical environments through funding formulas and local control.
- Oregon: Legislative debates on school safety, with some proposals stalling but others, like student mental health supports, advancing.
College Affordability
- Arkansas: The ACCESS Act aligns K-12, postsecondary, and workforce pathways, supporting more affordable and navigable routes to college degrees.
- Texas: Major changes include a statewide program for private school vouchers and significant boosts to public education funding, with future effects on affordability.
- Washington: HB 1556 created tuition waivers for recent high school completers at community and technical colleges; “Partner Promise Scholarships” aim to make college more accessible.
- Illinois: Actively exploring a direct admission program to public institutions and proposed expanded access to affordable community college degrees.
- Montana: Ongoing equalization through guaranteed tax base aid to lower barriers for disadvantaged students.
- Oregon: Higher education funding remained pressured, with advocates warning that state investments haven’t matched college cost increases.
K12 Governance
- Arkansas: The state paused school letter grade evaluations while revamping accountability under the LEARNS Act and granted more local discretion in device policy implementation.
- Texas: Education governance shifts notably via school choice, funding mechanisms, and increased state involvement in local curriculum matters.
- Washington: Governance reforms included expanded local input on board appointments and streamlined preparation pathways for teachers.
- Montana: Constitutionally embedded local governance for school boards, with both legislative and Board of Public Education oversight.
- Oregon: Debates continue on state versus local control, especially on issues like book bans and funding models.
School Funding
- Arkansas: Act 909 boosts per-pupil funding by 5%, with further increases targeting insurance costs and literacy grants.
- Texas: Delivered $8.5 billion extra in public education funding, including increased allotments for special education and charters.
- Washington: K-12 and early learning budget saw new appropriations, with targeted spending on equity and access.
- Illinois: Proposed an additional $350 million for K-12 and conducted major budget negotiations into the summer.
- Utah: Reallocated over $266 million and updated formulas to channel more resources to enrollment-based and flexible allocations.
- Montana: Sustained equalization efforts via guaranteeing comparable opportunities through the funding formula and enhanced state aid to districts in greatest need.
- Oregon: A record-high K-12 funding package passed despite fiscal challenges.
Teacher Licensure
- Arkansas: Reforms shortened teacher licensing waiver periods from five years to one, expediting certification processes.
- Washington: Established new requirements for teacher residency and apprenticeship models to increase the educator pipeline.
- Utah: Enacted policy changes easing licensure requirements for alternative educator pathways.
- Montana, Illinois, Texas, Oregon: Various bills to raise minimums, offer incentives, or streamline licensure continuing to be considered, but no major overhaul in 2025.
Early Learning & Child Care
- Arkansas: LEARNS Act continues programs focused on early childhood, aligning Pre-K through workforce aspirations and literacy supports.
- Texas: Passed new early childhood readiness and parental support programs with significant investments in early literacy and numeracy.
- Washington: HB 1351 lowered the age of eligibility for state-funded early childhood education, while HB 1314 made early learning facility grants more accessible.
- Illinois: Sustained and expanded investments in childcare and universal pre-K as part of broader education funding.
- Utah: Multiple bills updated early learning frameworks, especially for low-income and rural children.
- Montana: Maintains constitutional commitment to equality in early opportunity, with legislative adjustments in formula funding for early grades.
- Oregon: Childcare and preschool programs faced budget pressure but continued to receive targeted funds for expansion and quality improvements.
To learn more about these bills and access links to the legislative text, consult Education Commission of the State’s legislative tracking tool.
Looking Ahead
This year’s legislative responses reflect states’ sense of urgency on disruptive technology in schools, the intertwined challenges of student safety and well-being, rising college and childcare costs, and persistent concerns around education funding, equity, and workforce needs.
As state legislatures transition into the fall 2025 policy season and set sights on 2026, a clear set of K-12 priorities is emerging in response to ongoing fiscal, academic, and workforce pressures.
Key issues poised to shape legislative agendas include:
- updating and stabilizing K-12 funding formulas to address continued uncertainty in federal support;
- expanding workforce development and CTE pathways for high-demand careers;
- addressing ongoing teacher shortages, compensation, and licensure challenges;
- improving student achievement and attendance through supports like targeted tutoring; enhancing mental health and safety initiatives; and
- navigating active debates on curriculum, parental rights, and the role of technology—especially concerning cell phones and AI in schools.
School leaders and educational service agencies will continue to play a critical role in mobilizing resources, advocating for sustainable funding, and adapting programs as these priorities carry forward into 2026 and beyond.