From funding and early learning to AI safety and protection from immigration enforcement, the K12 prerogatives of state leaders in 2026 blend the old and new.
FutureEd, a nonpartisan think tank based at Georgetown University, has reviewed at least 35 State-of-the-State addresses so far this year.
Increased—but highly targeted—funding formulas
At least seven governors intend to increase education spending. Kay Ivey (R-Ala.) proposed the largest education budget in state history. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) and Laura Kelly (D-Kan.) also promised to raise funding to historic levels.
More on K12 policy: Will the midterm elections have any effect on Trump’s K12 agenda?
Some governors want to move away from across-the-board spending. Josh Shapiro (D-Penn.) planned to push $565 million through a new adequacy formula aimed at schools that need funds most, tying dollars to outcomes. Matt Meyer (D-Del.) is considering a need-based funding formula, while Mike Kehoe (R-Mo.) plans to “modernize” its allocation.
Curbing phones, social media and AI
Of the eight governors targeting cell phone use, leaders in Utah, Connecticut and Maine pushed bell-to-bell bans that would require collecting devices, providing storage and enforcing new rules.
Governors in New York, Pennsylvania and Florida want to restrict social media and AI use and implement apps that can flag students planning to harm themselves or others.
These proposals would require districts to tighten tech policies, vet vendors more comprehensively and get buy-in from parents.
Localized and sector-specific workforce pipelines
Aligned with the Trump administration’s calls to prioritize workforce training, governors are creating stronger career pathways in fields such as healthcare, construction and technology.
Maura Healey (D-Mass.) said she would help create 100,000 apprenticeships over the next 10 years in the building trades. Leaders in Alaska, Hawaii and South Dakota also committed to increasing apprenticeship pathways.
Similarly, the governors of Pennsylvania, Vermont, Rhode Island, Hawaii and West Virginia plan to expand career and technical education.
Higher education accessibility will play a larger role in student workforce preparation. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) vied to make the first two years of college free while tightening articulation agreements between district CTE efforts through concurrent enrollment.
Patrick Morrisey (R-W. Va.) is interested in micro-credentialing and project-based STEM models, signaling district-level scheduling and staffing innovations ahead.
Private partnerships fuel early learning
Seven state governors plan to expand early childhood programs. Universal pre-kindergarten is in line for funding in California, New York and Kentucky. Four states are seeking support from the private sector to fund such programs.
Nutrition policy is moving from access to quality
While governors in Connecticut, Hawaii and Kansas spoke about expanding free meal programs, a pair of leaders want to set ingredient standards and restrict additives.
Kim Reynolds (R-Iowa) proposed removing artificial dyes from school meals, and Newsom from California planned to eliminate ultra-processed foods from cafeterias.
Movement toward quality ingredients will affect procurement, vendor contracts and kitchen training.
Red states commit to Trump’s policies
Governors in conservative-majority states vied to carry out priorities supported by the Trump administration.
Leaders from South Dakota, Nebraska and Missouri planned to opt into the federal tax-credit scholarship enacted by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The scholarship would fund families’ private school tuition payments and tutoring at select schools.
Governors in Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Nebraska and West Virginia aim to prevent transgender male athletes from competing in women’s sports.
Protection from ICE
Governors from New York and Connecticut promised to prevent “masked federal agents” from entering schools and daycares and “continue to protect schools from ICE.”
FutureEd’s tracker will be updated as more State-of-the-State speeches are delivered.
