May 2026 State Actions Update: Governors Enact Education Laws as Legislative Season Winds Down

In May 2026, state education policy continued to focus on literacy, math, college and career pathways, charter school funding and the teacher workforce as legislative sessions began to wind down across the country. Governors signed major education laws and lawmakers advanced proposals aimed at improving student outcomes, expanding opportunity and strengthening state education systems.  

Georgia, California, North Carolina and Michigan advanced literacy and math policies designed to improve early intervention, instructional quality and access to rigorous coursework. Florida, Louisiana, Georgia, New Hampshire and Ohio continued to prioritize college and career pathways, workforce alignment and educator pipeline policies. At the same time, lawmakers in Colorado, Iowa, South Carolina and Tennessee took action on charter school funding, facilities and access, underscoring the broad range of policies shaping education. 

To explore the latest education legislation moving in each state, scroll down or use the quick links below. (To stay updated on the status of the latest legislation, sign up for our Weekly State Actions Update emails.) 

| California | Colorado | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Iowa | Louisiana | Michigan | New Hampshire | North Carolina | Ohio | Oklahoma | Pennsylvania | South Carolina | Tennessee |

California

• California Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson’s SB 1067 passed the Senate and heads to the House. The bill would establish a statewide system for early math screening in K-2nd grade by requiring the state to approve evidence-based screening tools and requiring schools to screen students, identify those with math difficulties and connect them to early supports. 

Colorado

• Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed Sens. Chris Kolker and Barb Kirkmeyer and Reps. Meghan Lukens and Emily Sirota’s SB 023. The law sets statewide per-pupil funding at $12,325 for fiscal year 2026-2027, an increase of $449 over the prior year, bringing total K-12 funding to approximately $10.2 billion. The bill implements a new school finance formula and includes a three-year averaging model to stabilize funding. 
• Colorado lawmakers sent two bills to Gov. Jared Polis for signature: 
  • Reps. Lesley Smith, Eliza Hamrick and Sen. Janice Marchman’s HB 1078 expands concurrent enrollment programs by allowing off-campus courses offered by institutions of higher education to count toward concurrent enrollment when the courses meet program requirements and federal accreditation standards.  
  • Sens. Scott Bright and Cathy Kipp’s SB 145 requires a school district considering a ballot question to solicit proposals from its charter schools about their capital construction needs and notify charter schools of whether their needs will be included in the district’s ballot question. 

Delaware

• Delaware Sen. Laura Sturgeon’s SB 302 passed the Senate and heads to the House. The bill would create a new hybrid school funding model, adding student-based weighted funding components to the existing resource-based model.   

Florida

• Florida Rep. Anne Gerwig’s HB 561 was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The law strengthens the teacher workforce by expanding opportunities for teachers to get back into the classroom with temporary certifications.   
• The Florida Legislature’s appropriations bill, HB 5001, passed both chambers and heads to Gov. DeSantis. The total budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year is $115 billion, which includes: 
  • Funds for new technology to help the Department of Education and Scholarship Funding Organizations cross-check students participating in the state’s education scholarship account program.   
  • $500,000 for the Northeast Florida Education Consortium to support rural education initiatives.   
  • $40 million in continued funding for the Workforce Capitalization Incentive. Grant Programs, which support work-based learning in the state.  
  • A $2 million investment in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Grant for Khanmigo.  
  • A $150 increase in the full-time equivalent (FTE) funding, making the total FTE funding per student $9,337.67. 
  • $201 million for teacher pay increases. 
  • $7 million in new funding for private school capital outlay in disadvantaged communities.  
  • $67 million increase to the Bright Futures Scholarship.  
  • $11.6 million increase in charter school facility funding. 
  • $596 million in funding for incentives for accelerated courses.  
  • $135 million in school recognition funding. 

Georgia

• Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed ten bills into law:  
  • Rep. Chris Erwin’s HB 1193 improves literacy policy by providing every elementary school with access to a literacy coach. This year’s budget allocates $18.5 million for regional literacy coaches and $70.4 million for school-based literacy coaches. 
  • Rep. Sandy Donatucci and Sen. Steven McNeel’s Math Matters Act, HB 1030, guarantees access to advanced math for students in grades 6-10, requires 60 minutes of daily math for grades 4-5 and strengthens educator preparation programs in math training. 
  • Sen. Billy Hickman and Rep. Bethany Ballard’s SB 150 addresses teacher shortages by allowing retired teachers to return to work in high-need subject areas and requires reading, writing or English language arts teachers to have current evidence-based literacy and dyslexia training before re-entering the classroom. 
  • Sen. Matt Brass and Rep. Matthew Gambill’s HB 1302 establishes the Office of Education and Workforce Strategy to create a strong cross-agency pathways governance framework. 
  • Sen. Blake Tillery and Rep. Matt Hatchett’s HB 974 provides $100 million to support the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act, an education scholarship account program that serves students who attend or are zoned to attend low-performing public schools. This bill also includes $18.5 million for regional literacy coaches and $70.4 million for school-based literacy coaches. 
  • Rep. Carmen Rice and Senator Billy Hickman’s HB 1107 strengthens the state’s Educator Preparation Program Report by adding data for student outcomes, teacher evaluations and retention rates. 
  • Sen. Chuck Payne and Rep. Scott Hilton’s SB 556 creates the DREAMS scholarship, the state’s first needs-based financial aid, to provide up to $3,000 per year to Georgia students pursuing undergraduate degrees at public colleges and universities.  
  • Sen. Shawn Still and Rep. Jan Jones’ HB 1293 revises the Dual Achievement Program, which allows students who have dropped out of high school to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and a postsecondary credential or degree at a Technical College System of Georgia institution. 
  • Sen. Billy Hickman and Rep. Will Wade’s HB 1164 improves financial transparency and reporting in K-12 schools as well as establishes a new auditing system for K-12 schools and implements tiers for early detection of financial at-risk schools to improve early intervention. 
  • Rep. Scott Hilton and Sen. Shawn Still’s HB 1009 creates a bell-to-bell distraction-free schools policy for high schools. 

Iowa

• Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed Rep. Skyler Wheeler’s HF 2754. The law: 
  • Increases charter school teacher salaries by applying teacher salary supplemental funds to charter schools. 
  • Creates a revolving loan program fund for charter schools, making it easier for them to finance their school buildings. 
  • Ensures charter school students have access to extracurricular activities available in public schools. 
  • Creates a second application window for education scholarship accounts.

Louisiana

• Louisiana lawmakers sent seven bills to Gov. Jeff Landry for signature: 
  • Sen. Rick Edmonds’ SB 305 would expand education-to-workforce transparency and career alignment by requiring a statewide data dashboard. 
  • Sen. Beth Mizell’s SB 376 would establish the Learn and Earn Act, creating secondary education pathways connecting students to workforce training and credential opportunities.   
  • Rep. John Wyble’s HB 316 establishes a comprehensive adolescent literacy program for grades 4-8 and requires screening for students who score below mastery in English language arts, creates individualized reading plans and provides targeted interventions and high-dosage tutoring. 
  • Rep. Wyble’s HB 271 replaces the Literacy Advisory Commission with the Foundational Education Commission to evaluate and recommend improvements in early learning and basic reading and math skills. 
  • Rep. Dennis Bamburg’s HB 951 expands statewide workforce coordination by creating an Office of Talent Accelerator within Louisiana Works, a state program that connects job seekers with employment opportunities. 
  • Rep. Ken Brass’ HB 807 expands workforce training by establishing an instructor investment program within the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. 
  • Rep. Annie Spell’s HB 632 allows additional, limited sharing of student information to support the state’s education data system, which tracks student progress and outcome. 
  • Sen. Mike Reese’s SR 172 establishes a task force to study higher education funding and evaluate outcomes-based funding for two- and four-year institutions. 
  • Sen. Cam Henry’s SCR 80 establishes a task force to evaluate changes to Louisiana’s school funding formula and make recommendations to stabilize compensation funding.   

Michigan

• Three bills in Michigan head to the House floor for a vote: 
  • Rep. Kathy Schmaltz’s HB 5819 would require schools to use science of reading materials starting in the 2026-2027 school year.  
  • Rep. Jaime Greene’s HB 5820 would require educator preparation programs to include science of reading training. 
  • Rep. Rylee Linting’s HB 5821 would require the Michigan Department of Education to publish a list of required high-quality instructional materials that include the science of reading. 

New Hampshire

• New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed Rep. Margaret Drye’s HB 1270, which strengthens the teacher pipeline by expanding school district access to adjunct teachers. 
• New Hampshire Rep. Valerie McDonell’s HB 1817 heads to Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s desk for her consideration. The bill would allow any student who is eligible to enroll in a public school to have access to curricular courses and extracurricular programs offered by the school district in which they live.  
• New Hampshire Rep. Mark McLean’s HB 751 was amended in conference committee and heads to the floor for a final vote. The amendment would require school districts to allow at least 10% of students to exercise public school choice and transfer to another open enrollment district.   

North Carolina

• North Carolina Sens. Kevin Corbin, Ralph Hise and Michael Lee’s comprehensive math policy, SB 1044, heads to its final committee. The bill would require:   
  • A minimum of 60 minutes of daily math instruction in grades K-8.   
  • The use of universal math screeners in grades K-8 three times a year. 
  • Individual math improvement plans for students who do not score grade level proficient on the math screener. 
  • Parental notification for students identified as having math difficulties. 
  • Districts use a state-approved list of high-quality instructional materials.   
• Rep. Jeff Zenger’s HB 301 awaits a vote in its final Senate committee. The bill would: 
  • Require age verification for social media use by minors. 
  • Add artificial intelligence (AI) education into existing computer science instructional standards. 
  • Require the Department of Public Instruction to routinely evaluate AI educational products based on privacy and safety standards. 
  • Provide guidance to districts on responsible use of AI in educational settings.  

Ohio

• Ohio Sen. Kyle Koehler’s SB 328 passed the Senate and heads to the House. The bill would: 
  • Establish the Education and Workforce Return on Investment Initiative to make education and workforce data more useful, applicable, and beneficial to students, educators, employers, and other stakeholders.  
  • Require the Department of Education and Workforce to create and distribute career pathways resources to students.  
  • Establish a statewide career coaching framework.  
  • Develop professional skills standards aligned to essential workforce skills. 
  • Require schools to offer career exploration to 6th-8th grade students. 
  • Require 8th grade students to complete an academic and career plan. 

Oklahoma

• Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed six bills into law: 
  • Rep. Anthony Moore’s HB 4359 creates more classroom time for learning by requiring that statewide summative testing for grades 3-8 be administered in the last four weeks of the school year. 
  • Speaker Kyle Hilbert’s HB 4427 sets minimum education requirements for adjunct teachers and prohibits them from delivering core instruction to students in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. 
  • Rep. Ronny Johns’ HB 4268 creates a three-year pilot program for growth-based teacher compensation and reinstates a $5,000 stipend for National Board Certified Teachers. 
  • Rep. Lepak’s HB 3076 expands which institutions are eligible to provide alternative educator preparation programs and directs the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability to implement new certification pathways. 
  • Rep. Brad Boles’ HB 3467 extends paid maternity leave to full-time public school employees who adopt a young child. 
  • Sen. Ally Seifried’s SB 1734 requires classroom artificial intelligence (AI) tools to be educator-directed and have human oversight, stipulates that AI cannot be used for grading or discipline and directs the State Department of Education to issue guidance on responsible AI use. 
• Oklahoma Sen. Seifried’s SB 1360 became law. The Math Achievement and Proficiency Act ensures all math teachers have access to evidence-based professional development and creates the Office of Mathematics Improvement within the State Department of Education. 

Pennsylvania

• Pennsylvania Reps. Jason Ortitay and Justin Fleming filed HB 2541, which would raise up to $150 million for reading instruction via insurance premium tax credits. 
• Pennsylvania Rep. Mandy Steele’s HB 1814 would require all school entities to create a bell-to-bell distraction-free policy.  The bill passed the House floor and heads to the Senate.    

South Carolina

• South Carolina Sen. Greg Hembree’s S 454 was signed into law by Gov. Henry McMaster. The law requires charter school authorizers to make charter applications and renewals publicly available and the Department of Education to review charter authorizers annually. 
• South Carolina’s appropriations bill, H 5126, heads to conference committee. The budget proposal with Senate amendments includes:    
  • $83.2 million for the Education Scholarship Trust Fund, which would fund 15,000 private school choice scholarships. Senate amendments to the bill prohibit use of program funds for at-home education services.  
  • $50 million to fund rural and charter school facilities projects.  
  • $30 million for summer reading camps and $9.9 million for reading coaches.  
  • $5 million for strategic teacher compensation and $1.4 million for a career ladder pilot program to provide effective educators with opportunities for career advancement.  

Tennessee

• Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed seven bills into law:  
  • Rep. Scott Cepicky and Sen. Joey Hensley’s SB 2375 guarantees access to advanced math for qualifying students, creates a pathway for teachers to teach advanced math and requires the Department of Education to adopt advanced math policies for eighth grade students. 
  • Rep. William Lamberth and Sen. Jack Johnson’s HB 2532 expands the number of Education Freedom Scholarships from 20,000 to 35,000. 
  • Rep. Lamberth and Sen. Johnson’s FY26 budget,  HB 2690 includes more than $112.9 million to expand Education Freedom Scholarships to 35,000 seats and an additional $40 million for charter facilities.  
  • Rep. William Slater and Sen. Jack Johnson’s SB 1585 allows Education Scholarship Accounts (ESA) students to take the state summative test or a norm-referenced test with the state publishing aggregated results in a report. This change to the ESA program mirrors the tested accountability options already used in the newer statewide Education Freedom Scholarship program. 
  • Rep. Mark White and Sen. Dawn White’s SB 2141 strengthens college pathways by guaranteeing students can transfer between select college programs while maintaining their credit. 
  • Rep. Slater and Sen. Bo Watson’s  HB 2177 exempts charter schools with less than $50,000 in revenue from requiring internal audits, ensures funding for charter schools if reporting deadlines are missed, establishes a new “high-performing public charter school” designation and gives charter schools more flexibility in determining student lottery enrollment preferences. 
  • Rep. Ryan Williams and Sen. Watson’s Better Spending Better Schools Act, HB 2121, requires all local school districts to submit financial reports to the Department of Education to promote financial transparency.