In the season premiere of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins sits down with ExcelinEd in Action Executive Director Patricia Levesque to break down the most important K-12 education policy trends to watch in 2026. 

With legislatures moving quickly in an election year, Ashley and Patricia explore how states are responding to both long-standing challenges and emerging issues—from strengthening math and literacy systems to expanding college and career pathways, addressing digital distractions, modernizing school choice, reinforcing accountability and strengthening the teacher pipeline. 

Drawing on Patricia’s national policy forecast and early legislative activity, this episode offers a comprehensive look at where education policy is headed and what it means for students, families and educators. 

Links to resources mentioned in the episode: 

• Patricia’s blog post, “8 Education Policy Trends for State Lawmakers in 2026” 
• EarlyLiteracyMatters.org 
• MathMatters.org  
• PathwaysMatter.org  
• SchoolChoiceMatters.org  

Timestamps 

• [1:52] – The 2026 Education Landscape & Election-Year Dynamics 
• [4:40] – Math Policy Reforms & Guaranteed Access (Ohio, North Carolina, Iowa, Alabama, Georgia, New Mexico, Utah, Wisconsin) 
• [14:09] – Adolescent & Early Literacy Expansion (Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Massachusetts) 
• [18:44] – College & Career Pathways & Postsecondary ROI (Indiana, Ohio, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina) 
• [22:44] – Digital Safety, Phone-Free Schools & AI Guardrails (New Jersey, Indiana, Utah, Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Nebraska, South Carolina) 
• [29:26] – School Accountability & Transparency (Missouri, Mississippi, Utah, Arizona) 
• [31:58] – Public & Private School Choice & Facilities Funding (Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Iowa) 
• [36:14] – Teacher Pipeline, Preparation & Retention (South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri, Indiana, New Mexico, Georgia, New Hampshire, Iowa) 
• [40:50] – Final Reflections & Call to Action for State Leaders 

What education policies are you watching in your state this year? Share your thoughts with us on social media. 

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Welcome to the 2026 season of Statehouse Spotlights! In this trailer, host Ashley Mullins reintroduces the podcast and previews what listeners can expect in the year ahead, including fast-moving legislative updates and in-depth conversations with the leaders shaping K–12 education policy.  

Ashley shares how the show will continue to break down complex education issues—from literacy and math to workforce development, digital safety, accountability and school choice—so policymakers, educators and advocates can stay informed and engaged.  

This season will feature: 

• Biweekly 15-minute updates on major bill activity in states nationwide. 
• Alternating deep-dive interviews with lawmakers and education leaders. 
• Expert insights from ExcelinEd in Action’s policy team. 
• Coverage of the decisions and debates shaping students’ futures. 

Listeners will also hear from Executive Director Patricia Levesque in the season’s opening episode, where she outlines the key trends, challenges and opportunities to watch in 2026. 

At its core, Statehouse Spotlights is about more than legislation—it’s about students, their potential and the champions working every day to expand opportunity. The podcast’s mission remains simple: to keep you informed, energized and ready to take action for better schools and brighter futures.  

New episodes drop weekly. Subscribe now and join us for another year of meaningful conversations and timely policy insights. 

Remember to join the conversation on social media.  

ExcelinEd in Action (@ExcelinAction) / X (twitter.com) 

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ExcelinEd in Action on Facebook 

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In our season finale of Statehouse Spotlights, Executive Director Patricia Levesque joins host Ashley Mullins for a rapid-fire rundown of the biggest education policy wins from the 2025 legislative session. From early literacy and math policy to school choice, pathways, funding and accountability—states delivered for students this year. 

Hear what set this session apart, what trends surprised us, and which states led the way on bold, student-centered reform. Patricia also shares what’s ahead for 2026 and how ExcelinEd in Action will be keeping momentum strong in the months ahead. 

Thanks for joining us this season! We’ll be back in January 2026 when legislatures return to work. 

Remember to join the conversation on social media. 

• ExcelinEd in Action (@ExcelinAction) / X (twitter.com) 
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In the final stretch of legislative sessions, states are still making bold moves on education—from expanding school choice to boosting math instruction and reining in classroom distractions. Host Ashley Mullins breaks down the latest developments in Florida, New Hampshire, Louisiana, Texas, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania—including budget wins, policy setbacks, and what's still on the table. Tune in for a fast-paced update on the bills and decisions shaping classrooms across the country.

Remember to join the conversation on social media.  

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In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins sits down with Pennsylvania State Representative Jason Ortitay to chat about early literacy reforms and explore the bipartisan push behind Act 135 of 2024—a landmark literacy reform law that’s reshaping reading instruction across the state. Ortitay shares what first motivated him to act, from personal experiences to troubling literacy statistics and walks listeners through the key components of the new law, including early screening, educator training, curriculum alignment and the creation of a statewide literacy council. 

Throughout the conversation, Ortitay emphasizes the importance of grounding instruction in the science of reading and draws inspiration from other states—like Mississippi—that have seen real gains through similar reforms. He also speaks candidly about the challenges of balancing local control with statewide standards and highlights how thoughtful implementation, strong partnerships and sustained investment are essential for success.  

Tune in to get an inside look at how Pennsylvania is laying the foundation for every child to become a confident reader. 

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In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins highlights the final flurry of activity in state legislatures as they race to wrap up their 2025 sessions. From late-breaking deals on school funding and teacher pay to last-minute changes in parental choice and curriculum laws, this episode tracks the high-stakes decisions that could shape education policy for years to come. As lawmakers face hard deadlines, we’ll give listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the priorities making it to governors' desks.

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In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins sits down with South Carolina Sen. Greg Hembree to discuss the expansion and strengthening of the state’s education scholarship account (ESA) program. Just months after the program faced a significant legal setback, South Carolina leaders acted decisively to protect educational opportunities for thousands of students. 

Sen. Hembree, the bill’s sponsor and Chair of the Senate Education Committee, shares insights into why the ESA program matters, how the new law prioritizes equity and accountability, and what the future holds for educational opportunity in South Carolina. 

Join us for an inside look at how South Carolina overcame legal and political challenges to put students first—and how other states can learn from their journey. 

Remember to join the conversation on social media.  

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In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, we reflect on the final stretch of the 2025 legislative sessions across the country. Host Ashley Mullins breaks down the biggest policy wins, including breakthroughs in school choice, early literacy and career readiness. We’ll also spotlight unresolved challenges—from stalled teacher pay proposals to unfinished school funding reforms—and preview what education advocates should be watching for during the interim. As session gavels fall, this episode helps listeners take stock of where things landed and what’s still ahead. 

Remember to join the conversation on social media.  

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In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins is joined by Oklahoma Senators Ally Seifried and Adam Pugh to discuss the state’s ambitious legislative push to strengthen its teacher workforce. With multiple bills advancing through the legislature, Oklahoma is taking a comprehensive approach—supporting aspiring educators with financial assistance, flexible training options and long-term professional development. From job-embedded teacher apprenticeships to the proposed Oklahoma Teacher Recruitment Academy and Grow Your Own Educator Program, these policies aim to meet educators where they are and bring new talent into the classroom. 

Senators Seifried and Pugh discuss what inspired their legislation, how it complements other reforms like teacher pay increases and licensure modernization and why investing in educators is key to student success. They also highlight the importance of collaboration with districts, higher ed institutions and local communities to ensure these programs are implemented effectively.  

Tune in to learn how Oklahoma is creating a model other states can watch—and replicate—to build a strong, sustainable pipeline of future teachers. 

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In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins recaps the major education policy breakthroughs happening across the country as legislative sessions begin to wrap up. From final floor votes on school choice and early literacy reforms to new investments in teacher pay and college and career pathways, states are racing to deliver on key priorities before adjournment. The episode highlights which bills made it across the finish line, which ones are still in motion and what the next few weeks might bring for schools, families and students. 

Remember to join the conversation on social media.  

ExcelinEd in Action (@ExcelinAction) / X (twitter.com) 

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