In this season finale of Policy Changes Lives, ExcelinEd VP of Policy Cara Candal sits down with ExcelinEd CEO Patricia Levesque to break down the most important education policy trends state leaders need to watch as 2026 approaches.
From new efforts to strengthen middle-grade literacy to a rapid expansion of math policy reform, Patricia walks through where states are headed—and why foundational skills will continue to dominate legislative agendas. The conversation also explores rising interest in postsecondary return-on-investment, updated accountability and data systems, workforce-aligned pathways, digital distraction policies like phone-free schools, and what states can expect as AI tools reshape classrooms and policymaking.
Cara and Patricia reflect on the biggest themes from the 2025 season and discuss how governors, legislators and education chiefs can prepare for a policy year defined by both urgency and opportunity. If you want to understand the landscape heading into 2026—and what it will take to drive meaningful impact for students—this episode is the perfect place to start.
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