ExcelinEd in Action Statehouse Spotlights

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins marks Teacher Appreciation Week by taking a closer look at how states are moving beyond recognition to implement policies that strengthen and sustain the educator workforce. Rather than focusing on a single bill or state, this episode highlights a growing national trend: lawmakers advancing thoughtful, long-term strategies to recruit, support and retain high-quality teachers. Ashley walks through key areas of momentum across the country, including efforts to expand pathways into the profession, improve teacher preparation and support and rethink compensation and career advancement. From new approaches to certification and mobility to investments in mentoring, pay and leadership opportunities, states are beginning to take a more comprehensive view of what it takes to support educators at every stage of their careers. As challenges like teacher shortages and burnout continue to shape the education landscape, this episode offers a timely snapshot of how states are responding—not with quick fixes, but with structural changes designed to make teaching a more sustainable and impactful profession over time. Remember to join the conversation on social media.  ExcelinEd in Action (@ExcelinAction) / X (twitter.com)  ExcelinEd in Action (@excelinedinaction) • Instagram   ExcelinEd in Action (@excelinedinaction) • BlueSky  ExcelinEd in Action on Facebook 

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins heads to Ohio to explore a growing priority across states: strengthening math outcomes for students. As more lawmakers turn their attention to math, Ohio is advancing a comprehensive policy approach designed to support students at every level, from those who need early intervention to those ready for advanced coursework. Ashley is joined by Senate Education Chair Andrew Brenner to discuss what’s driving this push, how the proposal is designed to work in practice and what it could mean for classrooms, families and long-term workforce readiness. The conversation explores key elements of the policy, including screening and intervention, instructional quality and access to rigorous coursework, while also unpacking what it takes to move a major academic reform forward during an active legislative session. As other states consider similar efforts, Ohio’s approach offers a timely look at how to build a coordinated strategy to improve math outcomes and better prepare students for future success. Remember to join the conversation on social media.  ExcelinEd in Action (@ExcelinAction) / X (twitter.com)  ExcelinEd in Action (@excelinedinaction) • Instagram   ExcelinEd in Action (@excelinedinaction) • BlueSky  ExcelinEd in Action on Facebook 

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins highlights the growing wave of K–8 literacy legislation advancing across the country as states enter the final stretch of their 2026 legislative sessions. From early literacy to adolescent supports, lawmakers are prioritizing comprehensive, evidence-based approaches to ensure students become proficient readers.  Ashley walks through major developments across the nation, including in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Utah and Wyoming, where policymakers are strengthening literacy systems. The episode also highlights a key shift in focus: extending literacy supports into grades 4–8 to ensure struggling readers do not fall behind as academic content becomes more complex. At the same time, Ashley underscores an important reality of policymaking—while many states are seeing significant progress, not every proposal crosses the finish line. Listeners will hear updates from states like Nebraska and Kansas, where strong literacy efforts faced legislative hurdles, offering insight into the ongoing, iterative nature of education reform. The episode concludes with a quick look at legislative sessions nearing adjournment in Iowa and Tennessee, where several major education policies are still advancing. Listeners will come away with a clear, timely snapshot of the nationwide literacy surge, the policies shaping reading instruction and the continued momentum to strengthen student outcomes through thoughtful, sustained reform. Remember to join the conversation on social media.  ExcelinEd in Action (@ExcelinAction) / X (twitter.com)  ExcelinEd in Action (@excelinedinaction) • Instagram   ExcelinEd in Action (@excelinedinaction) • BlueSky  ExcelinEd in Action on Facebook 

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins heads to Idaho to explore a policy gaining traction: earned autonomy for high-performing schools. Idaho lawmakers recently passed legislation designed to reward strong student outcomes and sound operations with greater flexibility, allowing qualifying schools to make decisions that better meet student needs while maintaining clear accountability for results.  Ashley is joined by Senate Majority Leader Lori Den Hartog, a key champion of the legislation, to discuss how the idea took shape, how the policy will work in practice and what it means for schools across the state. The conversation explores how earned autonomy shifts the focus from compliance to outcomes, why the policy applies to both charter and traditional public schools and how Idaho leaders balanced flexibility with guardrails. As more states look for ways to scale success and empower high-performing schools, Idaho’s approach offers a timely look at how earned autonomy can help expand opportunity while keeping student outcomes at the center. Remember to join the conversation on social media.  ExcelinEd in Action (@ExcelinAction) / X (twitter.com) ExcelinEd in Action (@excelinedinaction) • Instagram  ExcelinEd in Action (@excelinedinaction) • BlueSky ExcelinEd in Action on Facebook 

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins recaps a prolific week of legislative activity as sessions conclude in Georgia, Idaho and Mississippi. From sweeping literacy and math initiatives to new flexibility for high-performing schools and investments in teacher policy and student pathways, these states advanced a wide range of reforms aimed at strengthening student outcomes. Ashley highlights key takeaways from each session and what these wins signal about education priorities heading into the final stretch of the legislative season. The episode also looks ahead to major education policies still moving in states approaching adjournment, including funding reforms, continued investments in literacy and numeracy and proposals designed to expand opportunity for students. With multiple states closing in on key deadlines, this quick update provides a timely snapshot of where momentum is building—and what to watch in the weeks ahead. Remember to join the conversation on social media.  ExcelinEd in Action (@ExcelinAction) / X (twitter.com)  ExcelinEd in Action (@excelinedinaction) • Instagram   ExcelinEd in Action (@excelinedinaction) • BlueSky  ExcelinEd in Action on Facebook 

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins brings us to Arkansas to examine what happens after a major education reform package moves from passage to implementation. Three years after the enactment of the LEARNS Act, new statewide polling offers a critical lens into how families are experiencing the law—and how their perceptions are evolving over time. Ashley is joined by Arkansas Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva to discuss the state’s progress implementing one of the most comprehensive education policy packages in the country. The conversation explores how key components of the LEARNS Act—from expanded Education Freedom Accounts and merit-based teacher incentives to early literacy initiatives and career-ready pathways—are shaping the education landscape across the state. As participation in school choice programs grows and satisfaction rates remain high, the episode takes a closer look at what families are saying about their experiences and what may be driving increased intensity of support among parents. Secretary Oliva also shares insights into how Arkansas is supporting educators, aligning education with workforce needs and refining policies based on real-time feedback from schools and communities. With other states considering similarly ambitious reforms, Arkansas’ experience underscores an important lesson: sustained success depends not only on strong policy design, but also on thoughtful implementation, continuous improvement and maintaining public trust.  Tune in for a timely discussion on how education reform is taking shape in practice—and what it means for students, families and policymakers nationwide. Remember to join the conversation on social media.  ExcelinEd in Action (@ExcelinAction) / X (twitter.com) ExcelinEd in Action (@excelinedinaction) • Instagram  ExcelinEd in Action (@excelinedinaction) • BlueSky ExcelinEd in Action on Facebook 

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins delivers a timely look at the first wave of education policy outcomes from the 2026 legislative session. With several states already adjourned and others quickly approaching key deadlines, this update highlights where meaningful progress has been made and where important debates are still unfolding. Ashley breaks down early wins across states like Florida, Indiana, Utah, New Mexico, Virginia and West Virginia, from expanded school choice and strengthened teacher pipelines to investments in literacy, college and career pathways and student supports. She also unpacks key defensive victories that protected existing policies from rollback, underscoring the importance of both advancing and safeguarding student-centered reforms. Beyond individual state updates, the episode explores emerging national trends, from the growing momentum behind phone-free school policies to increased focus on charter school facilities and funding equity. Ashley also spotlights major proposals still moving through legislatures, offering insight into where policy conversations are headed next. As the 2026 session continues to take shape, this episode provides a clear, concise snapshot of early signals—and what they may mean for the months ahead. Remember to join the conversation on social media.  ExcelinEd in Action (@ExcelinAction) / X (twitter.com)  ExcelinEd in Action (@excelinedinaction) • Instagram   ExcelinEd in Action (@excelinedinaction) • BlueSky  ExcelinEd in Action on Facebook48 

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins travels to Iowa to explore the next phase of education reform following the state’s adoption of a universal Education Savings Account (ESA) program and improvements to charter school policy. Ashley is joined by Senator Jesse Green, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Education Subcommittee, to discuss how Iowa is building on its recent policy successes to strengthen and expand educational opportunities for students and families. As more states enact school choice policies, Iowa’s experience highlights an important reality: passing legislation is only the beginning. The conversation examines how lawmakers are refining the state’s education choice ecosystem by addressing implementation challenges, improving access for families and ensuring schools have the resources needed to grow and serve students effectively. Key topics include proposals to create a second ESA application window to increase accessibility, efforts to streamline accreditation pathways for participating private schools and innovative approaches to school facilities funding through revolving loan funds and bonding authority. The episode also explores policies aimed at expanding opportunities for charter school students, including access to extracurricular activities. With more states considering universal school choice, Iowa’s approach offers valuable lessons on how thoughtful policy refinement, strong implementation and continued leadership can help ensure these programs deliver on their promise. Tune in for an insightful discussion on how states can move from policy passage to lasting impact for students. Remember to join the conversation on social media.  ExcelinEd in Action @excelinaction - Bluesky Profile ExcelinEd in Action (@ExcelinAction) / X (twitter.com)  ExcelinEd in Action (@excelinedinaction) • Instagram  ExcelinEd in Action on Facebook 

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins breaks down the first major committee and floor deadlines of the 2026 legislative season. With early cutoffs now hitting in Florida, Virginia, Wisconsin and Mississippi, Ashley walks listeners through which key education bills are still advancing — and which proposals may be losing momentum. This quick update highlights the policies that cleared critical early hurdles, the measures still in play and the dynamics shaping each state’s next phase of legislative action. Listeners get a clear and timely snapshot of what’s alive, what’s at risk and what to watch as these states move deeper into their sessions. Remember to join the conversation on social media.  ExcelinEd in Action (@ExcelinAction) / X (twitter.com)  ExcelinEd in Action (@excelinedinaction) • Instagram   ExcelinEd in Action (@excelinedinaction) • BlueSky  ExcelinEd in Action on Facebook4