PreK-12 Policy & Budget Outlook 2024-2025

Description

As the substantial $190 billion ESSER funding introduced during the pandemic begins to wind down, SIMBA Information's recent publication reveals that federal and state financial support for PreK-12 education remains resilient in Fiscal Year 2024. The PreK-12 Policy and Budget Outlook for 2024-2025 attributes this steadiness to continuous stimulus funds that address learning deficits caused by the pandemic, complemented by solid local and state financial plans. Notably, a third of the states are enhancing their reserve funds, which is a strategic move for the forthcoming fiscal adjustments.

The report also sheds light on the key educational programs and curricular initiatives prioritized by federal and state authorities. The 2024-2025 period sees a surge in funding for PreK-12 education, with a focus on early literacy and teacher professional development, including training in AI literacy. The comprehensive analysis in the PreK-12 Policy and Budget Outlook extends to total K-12 expenditure, ESSER fund allocation and usage, state funding patterns, and the emphasis on social and emotional learning. It also delves into the influence and challenges of AI in educational settings, the science of reading, and the ongoing struggle with complex social issues like gun violence, homelessness among students, and mental health concerns. The report further explores developments in digital connectivity, data privacy, and the trends in educational staffing and teacher compensation.

Product Code: CURP18979531

Table of Content

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

METHODOLOGY

CHAPTER 1: FEDERAL FUNDING FOR PREK-12 EDUCATION

FY 2024 CONGRESSIONAL APPROPRIATIONS
Table 1-1. Department of Education Fiscal Year 2023 - 2025 President's Budget Selected K12 Programs (thousand $)
APPROPRIATIONS BY STATE
Table 1-2. Department of Education Grants to Local Educational Agencies 2023 - 2025 (thousand $)
FEDERAL DEPARTMENT CONTRIBUTIONS TO EDUCATION
Table 1-3. Federal On Budget Funds for K12 Education by Agency 2023 - 2025 (billion$)
ESSER FUNDING
TOTAL K12 SPENDING
Table 1-4. Summary of Public Elementary/Secondary School System Revenues FY2022 (thousand $)
Table 1-5. Summary of Public Elementary/Secondary School System Expenditures FY2022 (thousand $)
Table 1-6. Summary of Public Elementary/Secondary School System Revenues and Expenditures by State FY2022 (thousand $)
LOOKING AHEAD

CHAPTER 2:STATE POLICIES AND CHANGES IMPACTING EDUCATION

FEDERAL RELIEF AND ITS IMPACT
Distribution and Utilization of ESSER Funds
Impact on Student Learning and Academic Recovery
Allocation and Spending Variations
Challenges and Criticisms
STATE FUNDING TRENDS
Fiscal Survey of States
General Trends
Regional Expenditures
Great Lakes Region
Southwest and Far West Regions
Southern and Western Regions
STATE-SPECIFIC INITIATIVES AND CHANGES

CHAPTER 3:CURRENT CURRICULUM ISSUES

POLITICS IN THE CLASSROOM: BOOK BANS, GAG ORDERS AND THE INFLUENCE OF PARENTAL CHOICE ON CURRICULUM AND CONTENT
Figure 2-1. Book Bans Across the US
Figure 2-2. Topics Banned Most Often in School Books
Tracking Legislation and Bans
Figure 2-3. Books Challenged 2023
Figure 2-4. Active Content Restriction Bills February 2023-2024
Rising Topics and Trends
Role of Educational Publishers:
SEL
HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
The Role of States: Policies and Guidance
Alabama
Colorado
Delaware
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Mississippi
Nebraska
New Mexico
Ohio
Oklahoma
Rhode Island
Tennessee
Texas
Other states taking initiatives to improve the quality of its instructional materials include:

CHAPTER 4: POLICY INFLUENCING CURRICULUM

COMPUTER SCIENCE
State-Specific Highlights
FINANCIAL LITERACY
State-Level Initiatives:
Key Initiatives and Programs
STEM/STEAM
Key Trends and Initiatives
Federal Initiatives and Support
THE IMPACT OF GENERATIVE AI
Background on AI in the Classroom
US Federal Regulations
Other Types of Federal AI Legislation
State Legislation
Table 4-1. Higher Education AI Related Bills June 2024
AI Education Policy Advocacy from Non-Governmental Bodies
Actions for Educational Publishers and EdTech Companies
CTE
Key Developments and Initiatives
THE SCIENCE OF READING
State Policies and Legislation:
Prominent State Initiatives:
DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMS
State-Level Initiatives and Policies
PREK AND EARLY LEARNING
Key Developments and Initiatives
MEDIA LITERACY
Category 1: States that have taken significant steps towards comprehensive media literacy education through the legislative process
Category Three: states that have advanced media literacy education through the legislative process:
Category Four: legislation pending:
Federal Legislation
Figure 4-1. States Mandating Media Literacy Instruction in Schools
Related Initiatives
STATE UPDATES ON CURRENT POLICY TRENDS
Workforce Development and Career and Technical Education (CTE)
K-12 Funding
Teacher Workforce
Early Care and Education
Academic Achievement and Literacy
Physical and Mental Health
Additional Considerations

CHAPTER 5: SOCIAL ISSUES

GUN VIOLENCE
Prevalence of Gun Violence in Schools
Impact on Students and Educational Environments
State and Federal Responses
IMPACT OF THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR ON PREK-12 EDUCATION IN THE US
Navigating Sensitive Discussions
Impact on Student Safety and Well-Being
Teacher Responses and Challenges
Policy and Community Responses
MENTAL HEALTH
Legislative and Policy Responses
School-Based Mental Health Initiatives
TITLE IX
Key Changes in the Title IX Regulations
Implementation and Compliance
HOMELESSNESS
Key Initiatives and Programs
FREE SCHOOL MEALS FOR ALL
State Initiatives and Legislation
Challenges and Future Directions
CONNECTIVITY AND DATA PRIVACY
Federal and State Initiatives:
DRUG USE
School Responses and Interventions

CHAPTER 6: STAFFING AND TEACHER PAY

Table 6-1. Current Spending on Teacher Salaries of Public Elementary/Secondary School Systems by State FY 2022 (in thousand $)