State Actions Update: New Laws Expand Choice, Career Pathways, Math Policies and Distraction-Free Learning in June 2025

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As June came to a close, state legislatures across the country were racing the clock—and many crossed the finish line with major student-centered policy wins in hand. From comprehensive education budgets to targeted bills on literacy, math, workforce readiness and distraction-free learning, June was packed with decisive action and forward-thinking reforms. 

In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a sweeping budget package that boosts per-student funding, teacher salaries and charter facilities funding—while also investing in artificial intelligence (AI) teaching tools and microcredentials for math and literacy. New Hampshire finalized its budget as well, making headlines by creating universal eligibility for the state’s Education Freedom Account program and new cell phone-free classroom requirements. Texas closed its session with major wins in strengthening support for early literacy and creating statewide distraction-free schools. 

Across the map, we’re seeing growing momentum for laws that help students focus, improve math and literacy skills, support teachers and give families greater access to the learning environments that best meet their needs.  

ExcelinEd in Action is closely tracking legislative actions and supporting states as they craft policies that put students first. Below is a detailed state-by-state recap of the education bills and budget actions that moved in June 2025. 

To explore the education bills moving in your state, scroll down or use the jump links below. 

Florida | Iowa | Louisiana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | North Carolina | Ohio | Oklahoma | South Carolina | Tennessee | Texas

Florida 

• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the state budget, SB 2500 and SB 2510. Together, the budget and accompanying legislation: 
  • Increase per-student funding.  
  • Raise teacher salaries.  
  • Maintain incentive funding for advanced coursework, including dual enrollment, Advanced Placement and industry credentials.  
  • Invest in and improve the Schools of Hope charter school program.   
  • Fund state grants, including math and literacy microcredentials and AI teaching and learning tools. 
• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed two college and career pathways bills into law.  
  • HB 681 expands opportunities for students to participate in work-based learning by improving and standardizing the current funding model for apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship and career and technical education programs. 
  • HB 1145,  gives charter schools access to workforce program grant funds and doubles the number of programs Florida College System institutions must identify as money-back guarantees.   

Iowa 

• Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed her priority bill, HF 784, which strengthens math policy by requiring math proficiency assessments for K-6 students as well as additional math instruction training in educator preparation programs. 
• Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed Rep. Skyler Wheeler’s HF 190, which allows students enrolled in online courses to complete summative assessments online with specific timing, monitoring and verification requirements.

Louisiana 

• Louisiana Rep. Jason Hughes’ education to workforce bill, HB 373, was signed into law by Governor Jeff Landry. The bill would require an annual return on investment (ROI) analysis of K-12 industry-based credentials programs and their alignment with workforce needs.   
• Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed Rep. John Wyble’s HB 321, which strengthens math policy and requires all K-8 teachers to take an approved math professional development course.   

Nebraska 

• The Nebraska Committee on Revenue’s tax bill, LB 647, passed the chamber floor and was signed by Gov. Jim Pillen. The bill supports educational choice by allowing state 529 plans to be used for elementary and secondary school educational expenses.     

Nevada 

• Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo signed three bills into law: 
  • Sen. Nicole Cannizzaro’s SB 460, which includes portions of Gov. Lombardo’s education bill, AB 584, requires K-3 public school teachers to complete a course of instruction in foundational literacy skills based in the science of reading and aligns educator preparation programs to the science of reading. The law also creates the Nevada Teacher Apprenticeship program, providing charter school teachers greater flexibility to teach in an area that is not a core subject if the teacher holds an industry-recognized credential or certificate relevant to the subject.   
  • Assemblymember Selena Torres-Fossett’s NV 533 expands public school choice by allowing students to attend public schools outside of their designated attendance zone and requiring receiving schools to accept a student where there is capacity. 
  • Nevada Assemblymember Steve Yeager’s AB 398 strengthens the teacher pipeline by providing additional compensation for certain hard-to-fill teaching positions in public schools and ensuring students in the highest-need schools and subjects have access to qualified educators. 

New Hampshire 

• New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed the state budget, HB 2, which includes a provision that requires school districts to adopt policies creating bell-to-bell cell phone-free school days.   
• New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed Sen. Victoria Sullivan’s SB 295, which creates universal eligibility for the state’s Education Freedom Account Program. The program currently serves more than 5,000 students from households with incomes at or below 350% of the federal poverty line. 
• New Hampshire Sen. Victoria Sullivan’s SB 97, which expands intra-district open enrollment by authorizing parents to transfer their children to other schools within their resident district, was passed by both chambers and awaits a signature from Gov. Kelly Ayotte.

North Carolina 

• North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein signed Rep. Hugh Blackwell’s HB 959, which requires schools to incorporate social media literacy into their curriculum, adopt internet safety policies and create distraction-free classrooms.    
• North Carolina Sen. Michael Lee amended HB 832 to establish a pathway to full licensure for teachers with limited licenses, based on demonstrated student growth. The amended bill also grants class size flexibility to several districts participating in Advanced Teaching Roles. The bill passed the Senate and awaits consideration by the House. 

Ohio 

• Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed the state appropriations bill, HB 96, sponsored by Rep. Brian Stewart. The final budget includes:   
  • Funding for universal access to the state’s EdChoice voucher program.   
  • Support for improving early literacy, including $12 million each fiscal year for literacy coaches trained in the science of reading.   
  • Improved access to advanced math courses for high-performing students.  
  • Cell phone-free instructional days. 

Oklahoma 

• Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed three bills into law. 
  • Sen. Adam Pugh’s SB 235 strengthens the teacher pipeline by creating the Grow Your Own Educator Program, which provides school districts with matching funds for tuition or loan repayment assistance to support eligible district employees pursuing undergraduate degrees from an accredited educator preparation program.   
  • Sen. Ally Seifried and Rep. Toni Hasenbeck’s SB 140 creates the Oklahoma Math Achievement and Proficiency Act, which requires all public schools to screen students three times a year for math proficiency, incorporate evidence-based math instruction in the classroom and provide math intervention services.    
  • Rep. Mike Kelley’s HB 1287 establishes a math tutoring pilot program for the lowest-performing ninth grade students in public schools in districts with at least 30,000 students. 

South Carolina  

• South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster signed the state budget, which provides funding for high-quality instructional materials and education scholarship accounts and maintains distraction-free schools policy.

Tennessee 

• Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed an Executive Order strengthening the State Workforce Development Board as the central coordinating body for Tennessee’s workforce system. The Order directs the board to align education and training with employer needs, streamline programs, remove barriers and create more effective, personalized career pathways. 

Texas 

• Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed Rep. Brad Buckley’s HB 2. The law:  
  • Expands the state’s Teacher Incentive Allotment, which puts teachers on a pathway to earn more than $100,000 a year. 
  • Establishes financial incentives for teachers to complete literacy academies on evidence-based literacy instruction. 
  • Provides additional facilities funding for charter schools. 
  • Strengthens early literacy and math policy by requiring screeners for K-3 students, progress monitoring, evidence-based literacy and math interventions and professional development academies for math and reading interventionists.    
• Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed Rep. Caroline Fairly’s HB 1481, establishing phone-free schools statewide, with exceptions for students with an individual education or 504 plan or documented medical need.