As state legislative sessions get underway across the country, governors have outlined their K-12 education priorities in State of the State addresses, inaugural speeches and budget proposals. Their remarks provide critical insights into the policies likely to shape the future of education in 2025.
This post summarizes and organizes governors’ student-centered K-12 education policy priorities, including literacy, math, funding, school accountability, public and private school choice, strengthening the teacher pipeline, college and career pathways and distraction-free school policies.
Here’s a breakdown of the education policy priorities governors are focused on this year.
(Last updated February 20, 2025)
Early Literacy: A Continued Focus on Reading Success
Early literacy remains a top priority across multiple states, with governors recognizing the importance of ensuring students are proficient in reading by the third grade.
- Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey shared the state’s NAEP improvements in math and reading and emphasized the need to continue supporting programs, such as the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, the Literacy and Numeracy Acts and her Turnaround Schools initiative.
- Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy highlighted the success of the Alaska Reads Act and its positive effect on students K-2 reading scores.
- Colorado Gov. Jared Polis made literacy improvement a centerpiece of his State of the State address, calling for increased investments in evidence-based reading instruction.
- Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly highlighted the success of the Kansas Literacy Blueprint and called for continued investments to build on that progress.
- Maryland Gov. Wes Moore gave a nod to Superintendent of Education Carey Wright’s successful track record on literacy in Mississippi, noting her ability to deliver results.
- Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey included $25 million in her budget proposal to support the second year of her Literacy Launch proposal, aimed at teacher training in the science of reading and high-quality instructional materials.
- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s budget proposal continues to prioritize literacy, appropriating $12 million each fiscal year for literacy coaches deployed to schools with low rates of reading proficiency and requiring schools to use high-quality instructional materials.
- South Carolina Gov. McMaster requested an additional $19.3 million to support summer reading camps.
With growing bipartisan support for evidence-based reading policies, states are likely to continue prioritizing reforms that improve reading outcomes.
Math Education: A Rising Priority in 2025
Following concerning math scores on the National Assessment on Education Progress (NAEP), governors are placing a stronger emphasis on math instruction this year.
- New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced plans to create a comprehensive math and STEM program, aiming to enhance student proficiency in these critical areas.
- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine proposed a requirement for school districts to provide advanced mathematics courses and other learning opportunities to students who achieve an advanced level of skill on a mathematics achievement assessment.
- South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster requested $90 million to provide high-quality instructional materials aligned with new math standards.
With a growing recognition that math proficiency is essential for workforce readiness and in light of dismal National Assessment on Education Progress (NAEP) results released in January—states are accelerating math-focused reforms alongside existing literacy efforts.
School Accountability: High Expectations Breed Strong Student Outcomes
- Idaho Gov. Brad Little called for the legislature to embrace accountability in public schools to guarantee the best outcomes for students.
- Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves celebrated the state’s success improving early literacy outcomes and urged lawmakers to raise standards and increase school accountability to improve student outcomes.
- Vermont Gov. Phil Scott named education one of his top three priorities, calling for a student-centered funding formula among other governance and administrative reforms.
- West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey asked the legislature to work with him on updating the state’s education funding formula.
School Choice: States’ First Programs and Universal Expansion Goals
Private school choice remains one of the most debated education policies in 2025, with multiple governors pushing for wide-reaching education scholarship account (ESA) programs.
- Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey called for continued support of the state’s CHOOSE Act, an expansive education scholarship program enacted last year.
- Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy called for the expansion of school choice in the state, highlighting the importance and success of the state’s charter schools.
- Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp proposed more than $141 million to fully fund the first year of Georgia’s new Promise Scholarship program.
- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s budget proposal maintains universal access to the “EdChoice” Scholarship Program, a school voucher that helps students afford private school tuition and fees.
- South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster called for the legislature to send him a new Education Scholarship Trust Fund bill that addresses last year’s State Supreme Court decision. He also proposed $30 million be appropriated to the new program.
- South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem emphasized that Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) should be available to all students, with a promise that they would not impact public school funding.
- Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee emphasized the importance of school choice, celebrating the passage of Education Freedom Scholarships during a special session earlier this year.
While school choice policies continue to gain traction, some states remain opposed to expanding educational opportunity. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly vowed to block any school choice expansion, setting up a fierce policy battle in that state.
Public School Choice: Open Enrollment & Charter Schools Gain Momentum
Some governors are embracing open enrollment policies to allow students to attend public schools outside their home district, and a few are hoping to build on the success of charter schools.
- Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy lauded the state’s charter schools as the best in the nation and encouraged the legislature to expand more educational opportunity to help more students.
- Colorado Gov. Jared Polis called for the legislature to “clear the way” for students to get back on track by making it easier for high-quality and innovative schools to start and operate in Colorado, supporting students in traditional district and charter schools.
- Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe advocated for voluntary open enrollment in public schools, urging the legislature to pass legislation allowing students to transfer between public schools regardless of their residential ZIP codes. He also called for additional charter school funding to address capital improvement needs.
- Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo proposed open enrollment policy changes that would allow students to attend public schools outside their designated zones. He also announced his plan to extend pay raises to all charter school teachers.
- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s budget prioritizes funding to support charter schools, including: the Quality Community School program that provides up to $3,000 for each economically disadvantaged student and $2,250 for each non-economically disadvantaged student; an increase in charter school facility funding from $1,000 to $1,500 per pupil; and priority for high-performing charters on unused/underutilized school buildings.
As states work to modernize public school choice, these policies could reshape how families navigate public education options.
Strengthening the Teacher Pipeline: Pay and Other Retention Strategies
Ensuring competitive teacher pay and strong retention policies is a shared priority across party lines.
- Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs listed teacher compensation as a top legislative priority.
- Indiana Gov. Mike Braun called for raising the starting salary for new teachers to $45,000, aiming to attract and retain high-quality educators.
- Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte proposed significant investments to raise teacher pay, particularly for early-career educators.
- Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo emphasized making teacher pay raises permanent and extend them to charter school educators.
- Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed $40 million to continue the student teacher stipend program, eliminating financial barriers to become a teacher.
- South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster highlighted the need to increase the minimum teacher starting salary to $50,000.
- South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem highlighted teacher apprenticeships and professional development as key to long-term retention strategies.
- Texas Gov. Abbott prioritized additional investments to the state’s Teacher Incentive Allotment, which currently puts over 25,000 teachers on a path to earn over $100,000 a year, and declared teacher pay an emergency item for the legislature to pass this session.
- Utah Gov. Spencer Cox emphasized the need to improve teacher retention, recognizing it as a critical challenge for Utah schools.
Teacher pay remains a major policy battleground, with states debating whether to fund across-the-board raises or targeted performance-based pay and incentive models.
College & Career Pathways: Readying Students for the Workforce
Several governors are prioritizing college and career pathways to better prepare students for postsecondary education and the workforce.
- Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders made college and career pathways her top education priority for 2025 and unveiled Arkansas ACCESS, a plan to expand opportunities to earn college credit in high school and increase access to higher education.
- Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp introduced the Top State for Talent Act, integrating career planning into high school graduation pathways, requiring a return on investment analysis to measure the effectiveness of postsecondary programs and more.
- Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker urged the legislature to pass the Public University Direct Admission Program Act, which would allow Illinois students to know before they apply whether they qualify for admission to any Illinois public universities and waive their application fees. He also proposed allowing community colleges to offer four-year baccalaureate degrees for in-demand career pathways, such as nursing, advanced manufacturing and early childhood education.
- Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe shared plans to add $12 million in new funding for CTE opportunities, $5 million for new infrastructure for the programs and an additional $1 million for career counseling. Gov. Kehoe has already signed an executive order establishing the Governor’s Workforce for the Future.
- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s budget supports students earning industry recognized credentials via incentives and provides each school $725 for each qualifying credential a student earns.
- Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said he wants to sign a bill that creates more high school internships and apprenticeships and called on businesses, schools and universities to create 250 new apprenticeship and internship programs this year.
- Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee promised his budget proposal will call for an investment in new work-based learning opportunities for students, funds to protect high school dual enrollment programs and an innovative CTE program that provides pre-apprenticeship pathways to jobs in building trades.
- South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster called for the legislature to fund college tuition assistance and the Workforce Industry Needs Scholarship program, which has paid the full tuition and fees for more than 40,000 students to earn post-secondary or industry credentials in high-demand careers.
- Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee emphasized the importance of skilled trades and proposed a “limited occupational teaching license” that will make it easier for experienced tradespeople to teach their craft in schools. In his budget proposal, he allocated $12 million to establish the TennesseeWORKS Scholarship, a new program that would fully cover tuition and fees for all students at Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT).
- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott prioritized programs that prepare high school students for in-demand careers and made career training an emergency item for the legislature to pass this session.
- West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey emphasized his focus on vocational tech education, including expanding apprenticeships, internships and partnerships with the business community.
With growing demand for skilled workers, CTE and dual-enrollment initiatives are gaining broad bipartisan support.
A growing number of governors are calling for their state legislatures to tackle the issue of student distraction and mental health by proposing phone and social media restrictions in schools.
- Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced her full support for legislation introduced on the first day of the 2025 legislative session prohibiting the use of cell phones and other wireless communication devices in Alabama public schools.
- Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders urged the legislature to prohibit cell phone use in classrooms throughout the school day to limit distractions.
- Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker prioritized legislation requiring all school districts adopt a policy that bans the use of phones during classroom instruction.
- Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen announced that protecting students from social media harm would be a priority.
- New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte called out the issue of distracted learning and supports policy to limit the impact of phones and digital devices on learning.
- New York Gov. Kathy Hochul emphasized the importance of distraction-free learning and announced plans to restrict cell phone use during the school day.
With rising concerns about student well-being and learning loss, more states are likely to adopt phone-free policies this year.
Governors across the country are taking bold action to improve student outcomes, expand educational opportunity and strengthen the teacher pipeline and workforce readiness. While priorities vary by state, key trends include:
- Early literacy and math proficiency reforms.
- School choice expansion, including ESAs and open enrollment.
- Teacher pay increases and teacher pipeline development.
- Phone-free school policies to create distraction-free learning environments.
- CTE and postsecondary pathways for career readiness.
As legislative sessions continue, education advocates, policymakers and parents should watch these proposals closely. The policies passed in 2025 will shape the future of American education for years to come.
