The Bottom Line

The latest education policy news from the South

State and Legislative Updates from SEF’s Government Affairs Team

The weeks of 10/6 – 10/17

Greetings all,

There is much to report on over the course of the last two weeks! The federal government has entered its third week of shutdown with no resolution in sight. While the U.S. Department of Education (USED) has continued disbursing formula funds, such as Title I, Title II, and IDEA, most federal staff remain furloughed, and “essential” employees are working without pay. Also, on October 10th, the Office of Management and Budget confirmed that USED began reduction-in-force proceedings for 466 staff, approximately 20% of the agency’s remaining workforce. The Civil Rights Division’s capacity also continues to shrink. Three of the five remaining regional offices have faced additional staff reductions, despite already absorbing cases from prior office closures earlier this year.

Across the southern region, there have been numerous noteworthy updates regarding state school voucher programs.

Arkansas: The state Department of Education’s annual report revealed that 88% of last year’s school voucher recipients were not previously enrolled in public schools before receiving vouchers–raising questions about the program’s ability to expand options for public school students.
Florida: A recent legislative hearing uncovered that the state Department of Education issued vouchers to thousands of students simultaneously enrolled in public schools during the 2024-2025 school year. This mismanagement has reportedly dramatically reduced the state’s primary public education funding source.
Mississippi: In September, multiple city councils passed resolutions opposing school vouchers, citing strong constituent disapproval and concerns about diverting funds from the public schools.
Missouri: State data shows that in the first month of direct state aid for its school voucher program, 98% of funds went to religious institutions, most of them Catholic schools – reasserting concerns about the separation of church and state.
Tennessee: Lawmakers and state leaders remain divided on whether to expand the state’s new voucher program in 2026.

We hope the resources below are helpful and meaningful to your work in supporting students of color and students from low-income families across the South.

Latest From SEF

2025 Issues Forum Miles to Go: The Road to Education Justice – We are less than one month away from SEF’s 2025 Issues Forum, our signature convening on education justice in New Orleans, Louisiana, Nov. 4—6. Registration is still open, and we’d love for you to join us!
SEF is Hiring a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) – SEF is seeking a highly skilled and strategic CFO to lead our financial operations and support our mission to expand educational opportunities across the South. Learn more about the position here.
SEF Joins Advocacy Organizations in Response to USED Request for Information – SEF signed onto a letter in response to the U.S. Department of Education’s Request for Information to strengthen and improve the Institute for Education Sciences.

State Updates

Alabama

State launches digital education network with Apple, Alabama Power – The state and nonprofit Ed Farm announced the Alabama Digital Education Network, a new statewide rural workforce initiative. (Alabama Political Reporter) Read More
State could see largest reduction in student enrollment in four decades – The state Department of Education is grappling with a significant decline in public school enrollment, marking the largest reduction in four decades. There are approximately 5,000 fewer students enrolled this year compared to last. (WPMI News) Read More

Arkansas

88% of last year’s voucher recipients didn’t come from public schools – Just one of every eight voucher participants in Year 2 of the program was enrolled in a public school the year before. (Year 2 was the 2024-25 school year; the state is currently in Year 3.) (Arkansas Times) Read More
State has improved ability to track tutoring program’s learning growth, study says – Arkansas has dramatically improved its ability to track learning growth by students who participate in the state’s high-impact tutoring program since it first began in 2023, according to a case study by Harvard’s Center for Education Policy Research. (Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette) Read More
State child care providers ask for help after changes to school readiness program – The state’s child care system needs additional funding to avoid widespread closures and layoffs due to changes to the state’s financial aid program for low-income families, providers told the state Early Childhood Commission during a recent work session. (Arkansas Advocate) Read More

Delaware

Many rural schools rely on international teachers; Trump’s visa changes threaten that – Out of 150 teachers in the district, about 30 are in the U.S. on teaching visas. Many are on short-term J1 visas, with hopes to one day graduate to the longer-term H-1B visa. Now, things are about to get even tougher — for the district and for teachers. (Delaware Public Media) Read More

Florida

Florida education budget came up $47 million short last year – A recent legislative hearing revealed that the state Department of Education paid vouchers to thousands of students in 2024-25 who were also registered in public schools, causing the state to run dry its main source of education funding. As a result, school districts received fewer dollars from the state than they were supposed to. (POLITICO Pro – Subscription Required) Read More
Teachers would have to take constitutional oath under proposed bill – A bill filed Monday by state Rep. Tom Fabricio would require teachers to take an oath to the Constitution and nonpartisanship. The bill, HB 147, would require teachers to, “before entering upon the duties of a classroom teacher,” take the oath. (The Miami Times) Read More
Cuts could be coming to Florida’s higher education budget – During a meeting of the Florida Senate’s Appropriations Committee on Higher Education, the chair said that budget difficulties will likely lead to cuts. (WUSF) Read More

Georgia

OPINION: State school voucher program isn’t good for separation of church and state – The phrase “respecting the establishment of religion” is open to interpretation, as is much of the Constitution. In my mind, and in the view of numerous constitutional scholars, this clause means there must be a wall placed between church and state – a wall that was clearly breached by Georgia’s newest school voucher program. (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution – Subscription Required) Read More
State Senate Committee tackles the potentially harmful side of A.I. – A Georgia Senate Committee met for the third time to figure out how to keep kids safe from Artificial Intelligence and the impacts of social media. The committee focused on the potential harms of A.I. and how it’s used in A.I.-driven chatbots, especially now that a growing number of children are interacting with the programs in an increasingly personal way. (Atlanta News First) Read More
Enrollment and graduation rates continue to rise at state universities – The number of students who earn a degree at a public college or university in Georgia keeps rising. Enrollment has been rising, too, but that is not the only reason for the increasing graduation rates at the University System of Georgia. (Savannah Now) Read More
State gives cash-strapped school system ‘unprecedented’ $1.45 million advance – State School Superintendent Richard Woods is calling for “sweeping statewide reforms” that would give the Georgia Department of Education more power when it comes to managing school district finances. (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution – Subscription Required) Read More

Louisiana

Officials scramble to reopen Louisiana 529 tuition savings program after surprise shutdown – Students and parents expressed frustration over the unexplained shutdown of the 529 tuition savings program that benefits hundreds of college and trade school students each year. (WVUE News) Read More
‘Heroes and heroines’: Four who integrated Baton Rouge schools recall those troubled times – Four old friends reminisced recently for an audience at LSU Law School about their senior year of high school, a year when they made history, but which left them each with lasting scars. They were four out of 28 Black teenagers in Baton Rouge who agreed in fall 1963 to leave their all-Black high schools and integrate four all-White high schools. (The Advocate) Read More

Maryland

Early childhood education starting to draw attention — finally, advocates say – Child care providers are slated to hear from more than a half dozen state lawmakers at an all-day symposium. The symposium in Columbia is mainly geared toward child care owners, operators, and administrators to provide them with updates on early childhood policies, workplace practices, and other information. (Maryland Matters) Read More

Mississippi

Mississippi towns say ‘no’ to school choice as state-level push continues – As conservative lawmakers promise to expand school choice next year, a handful of Mississippi cities are taking a public stand against school vouchers. (Mississippi Today) Read More
State Department of Education prepares Senate Committee for increased funding requests – During a two-day hearing of the state Senate Education Committee last week, the Mississippi Department of Education outlined its needs to continue the gains the state has seen in recent years. (Magnolia Tribune) Read More
Lawmakers address rising student absenteeism – More than a quarter of Mississippi students missed so much school last year that they were considered chronically absent, and lawmakers say the problem has become one of the state’s most pressing education issues. (Mississippi Public Broadcasting) Read More
New virtual learning program addresses Mississippi teacher shortage – Thanks to a new partnership between the Mississippi Department of Education and Mississippi Public Broadcasting, students across the state will be getting new teachers this year. But those teachers won’t be in classrooms, sitting behind desks. They’ll be on the screen. (Mississippi Today) Read More

Missouri

Nearly all state funding for Missouri school vouchers used for religious schools – State funding of private-school vouchers is primarily being used for students attending religious institutions. In August, over 2300 scholarships were awarded through new state funding, totaling over $15M with most recipients choosing to attend a religious school, and a large portion going to Catholic schools. (Missouri Independent) Read More
Missouri lost thousands of Black teachers after integration, and the issue persists – The number of African American teachers in Missouri decreased after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka in 1954. The problem persists more than a half-century later, according to a recent report by St. Louis University researchers. (St. Louis Public Radio) Read More
State Historical Society of Missouri to host lecture series on desegregation – The State Historical Society of Missouri is partnering with Missouri University of Science and Technology to host an in-person and virtual lecture series about desegregation in higher education. (Columbia Missourian) Read More

North Carolina

State approaches 100,000 private school voucher students. What it means for the state – Nearly 100,000 North Carolinians are now getting Opportunity Scholarships — meaning taxpayers are subsidizing tuition costs for most of the state’s private school students. (The News & Observer – Subscription Required) Read More
Child care academies provide fast track for educators – In at least 11 counties across North Carolina, early childhood education agencies and community colleges are running child care academies designed to get new teachers into classrooms faster than traditional routes at little to no cost to participants. (The 74) Read More
What is the status of Leandro? Could it help amid budget crisis? – Thirty-one years ago, the North Carolina Supreme Court heard a case about education inequities related to school funding, often referred to as “Leandro.” But multiple years and court rulings later, additional funding has still not been released to the state’s public schools. (Public Radio for the Piedmont) Read More
Inside North Carolina’s direct admissions program – A statewide initiative is offering high school students proactive admission to dozens of public and private colleges, following a pilot last year. (K-12 Dive) Read More
Federal cuts threaten NC school lunches and local farmers, advocates say – North Carolina state and local leaders gathered to call on the General Assembly to fund the state’s Farm to School program, warning that federal cuts could threaten student nutrition and local farmers. (NC Newsline) Read More

Oklahoma

Lawmakers applaud significant rise in FAFSA completion following new law – State lawmakers who championed Oklahoma’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid graduation requirement say they are celebrating new data that reveals a sharp increase in student completion of forms that help families unlock federal financial aid. (KOKH News) Read More
Oklahoma’s new state superintendent lays out vision for next 15 months in office – Oklahoma’s newly sworn-in state superintendent said he intends his brief 15 months in office to be “more than just a stopgap.” (The Journal Record) Read More

South Carolina

School voucher demand soared after state expanded eligibility. Who’s really benefiting? – The percentage of South Carolina school voucher applicants who attended a public school last year has plummeted, as newly-eligible private school students flood the taxpayer-funded scholarship program. (The State) Read More
South Carolina lawmakers debate child care crisis costing nearly $1 billion – South Carolina lawmakers are examining ways to expand access to child care, stating that the shortage is costing the state nearly $1B annually. (WLTX News) Read More
ACLU files suit against superintendent over school censorship rules – The American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina has filed a lawsuit against State Superintendent, alleging unconstitutional book-banning regulations and school censorship throughout the Palmetto state. (WCSC News) Read More

Tennessee

State House Speaker pushes to at least double vouchers in 2026 – Tennessee Speaker of the House has pushed to at least double the number of school vouchers available in the state next year. (WKRN.com) Read More
Here is what Tennessee’s governor and Democratic challenger say on education – Gov. Bill Lee and his Democratic challenger, Dr. Jason Martin, agree that Tennessee students need timely and relevant vocational training opportunities, but the two candidates for governor don’t concur on much else when it comes to K-12 education. (Chalkbeat Tennessee) Read More
Tennessee invests $7.2 million into childcare employee recruitment and retention – Gov. Bill Lee announced the state is adding $7.2 million to Tennessee WAGE$, a program aimed at recruiting and retaining childcare workers through salary supplements and bonuses. (WKRN News) Read More
Debate over private school voucher expansion looms in Tennessee – Key Tennessee lawmakers are taking different views toward Gov. Bill Lee’s desire to expand the state’s new private-school voucher program. (Tennessee Lookout) Read More
Districts urge full funding for special education pre-K – State school districts have been footing the bill for special education pre-kindergarten classes, and now they want lawmakers to allocate funding for it in the state’s school funding model. (Chalkbeat Tennessee) Read More

Texas

State selects company to help develop its school voucher program – State’s chief financial officer named the organization that will help the state build the school voucher program lawmakers approved earlier this year. (The Texas Tribune) Read More
Texans could begin applying for school vouchers in February – Families wanting to participate in the state’s upcoming school voucher program could apply as soon as February, while the application process for private schools hoping to join is set to launch before the end of the year. (The Texas Tribune) Read More

West Virginia

Poll: More rural voters cutting back on basics, worried about child care – Nearly 57% of West Virginia has parents in the workforce, and those parents say money is increasingly tight and they’re worried about affordable child care, according to a new poll. (Public News Service) Read More

National/Federal Updates

Early Childhood Education News and Resources

OPINION: Trump and Republicans in Congress are worsening the child care crisis – America has a child care crisis that’s hurting millions of families every day, and Trump and Congressional Republicans are failing to help working Americans address this growing problem. (The Century Foundation) Read More
Early Care and Education Justice Toolkit – A critical lens and justice toolkit is needed to challenge institutionalized oppression that impacts the early care and education workforce. This toolkit names oppressive practices and policies and who they ultimately serve and harm, and identifies equitable policies, processes, and outcomes. (Center for the Study of Child Care Employment) Read More

K-12 Education News and Resources

These activists want to dismantle public schools. Now they run the Education Department – Education Secretary Linda McMahon has been clear about her desire to shut down the agency she runs. She’s laid off half the staff and joked about padlocking the door. She calls it “the final mission.” (ProPublica) Read More
Five ways the U.S. Department of Education is upending public schools – The Trump administration has made a rapid succession of hires and decisions at the U.S. Department of Education that could spur profound changes in how schools operate and children learn. Here’s what to know. (ProPublica) Read More
Reductions-in-force impact federal Office of Special Education Programs – The Trump administration issued reduction-in-force notices across the federal government, including at the Education Department. Court filings show that 466 employees at the Education Department were impacted, and several special education association leaders say most of the Office of Special Education Programs staff were laid off. (K-12 Dive) Read More
Universal internet connectivity as a foundation for student opportunity – With the end of many temporary programs, we now face the question of how to sustain and accelerate progress so every K-12 student, regardless of income or geography, has the digital foundation needed to thrive. Developed through a robust, collaborative process with government leaders, researchers, nonprofit organizations, educators, and students, SETDA’s Universal Connectivity Imperative answers this question. (Education Commission of the States) Read More
National Education Policy Center Review: Let’s Get Ready! Educating All Americans for Success – A National Governors Association report urges governors to make schools engines of economic competitiveness through public dashboards that align education with workforce needs. Though it calls for moving beyond test scores, the report relies on CEO testimonials rather than rigorous research and overlooks evidence that high-stakes accountability narrows curriculum and harms teaching. (National Education Policy Center) Read More
Federal Vouchers, Treasury Regulations, and State Flexibility – This policy memo warns that such programs have historically led to academic declines, inequities, and weakened public schools. It urges governors to either reject participation or condition their involvement on guarantees of state-level control, transparency, and non-discrimination protections. (National Education Policy Center) Read More

Higher Education News and Resources

Making the New Higher Education Accountability Framework Pay Off – The OBBBA is the biggest overhaul in higher education policy since the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA) in 2008. There is, however, one silver lining in the bill: a new higher education accountability framework that aims to ensure students only borrow money for postsecondary programs that pay off via higher earnings after graduation. (The Education Trust) Read More
The Economic Impact of Higher Education in America – Colleges and universities have long been central to American history, playing a vital role in both the education of men and women and in building our economy. Because education is the foundation for growth, these institutions have played a key role in driving upward social and economic mobility for generations of Americans.  (American Council on Education) Read More
Future Education Expectations of High School Students Decline to a 20-Year Low for Both First-Generation and Continuing Generation Students – In recent years, a narrative has taken hold in the popular media that college may not be worth the investment. However, national studies have consistently shown that higher levels of education are related to higher pay, upward mobility, improved health outcomes, and greater civic involvement. The purpose of this brief is to explore whether this narrative may be affecting the educational expectations of students. (The Pell Institute) Read More
State Policy Agenda to Support the Adoption and Scaling of Evidence-Based Student Success: Finance Policy – This brief examines the challenges of scaling evidence-based practices from a finance policy perspective and offers three finance strategies that states can pursue to support the launch and scaling of these practices. (HCM Strategies) Read More

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns, and if we can assist with any government affairs or advocacy issues moving forward.

Sincerely,

Fred Jones, Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy,

fjones@southerneducation.org

Darian Burns, Legislative and Public Policy Analyst,

dburns@southerneducation.org

Allison Boyle, Research and Policy Specialist,

aboyle@southerneducation.org

Review the archive of past updates: