Issued by: The Freedom in Education Media Team 

Release Date: May 2026

     Since the beginning of the year, Freedom in Education’s Policy Team has covered a range of topics most relevant to the state of American education. We have attempted to understand its issues, as well as the large- and small-scale developments that should give us hope for the future. Through this list, we will break down our output and direct readers to where they can learn more.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

     The dawn of 2026 saw the Trump administration signing an Executive Order to establish a uniform, federal AI policy, which has created a halt in the passage of state AI policies — which would’ve made a “patchwork.” Since then, AI has continued its integration into K-12 life, with organizations forming to support and fund its development. To learn more about resources for parents and which state has lead the AI regulation front, read our brief here.

• POSTSECONDARY OPTIONS

     In early February, FiE interrogated the cultural shift that has further exposed high school graduates to the benefits of non-traditional pathways. Increasing openness to Career & Technical Education (CTE) careers and youth apprenticeships is reflected in survey data, according to our analysis. Some states like Indiana and Wisconsin have also pioneered programs to expand apprenticeship access, with students considering these alternatives due to a shaky economy. To see the numbers, visit us here.

• LITERACY: SCRATCHING THE SURFACE

     Moving into March, the Policy Team began its deep dive into literacy. Through a breakdown of select news articles, we examine conflicting attitudes about AI’s intersection with literacy instruction, with one significant concern being that this emerging technology lacks guardrails. With the U.S. ranking #36 in global literacy, with provable connections between poor literacy and eventual negative life outcomes, considering how to marry AI and the classroom will only grow in importance. You can see more about the states’ approach to this question here.

• STUDENT CHALLENGES

     From March to May, FiE pivoted and took a closer look at various student-related challenges that can drive reading struggles. 

     Some primary issues are: 

• ADHD
• Dyslexia
• And accommodating students who speak English as a second language (ESL). 

      In our brief “Challenges to Literacy,” our proposed solutions include prioritizing the use of age-appropriate, engaging texts, focusing on special evidentiary strategies for dyslexic learners, and creating additional, personalized instruction time for ESL students. Read on here.

• ENGAGEMENT + DISTRACTIONS

     FiE highlighted reports of declining student engagement and outside distractions to valuable learning in our April brief and “Literacy, Reading, and Attention Span.” The rise of AI has been cited as not just a tool for deeper learning, but a potential threat to student attention spans. The proliferation of social media, another point of contention, continues to push students away from necessary reading and even long-term investment in their own educations. One such vulnerable audience to these factors are grades 3-8, which have often been overshadowed in the national focus on K-3 literacy efforts. We suggest advanced literacy techniques to help these students continue to decode as they read complex texts.

• STATE STRATEGIES/SUCCESSES

     Over the past several months, a few U.S. states stand out as taking practical and innovative approaches to learning. Above all, these states’ commitment to the Science of Reading and uniform standards has spurred student success. 

     The sections below are a composite from our briefs here, here, and here. Other briefs mentioning other states can be found here.

• Louisiana – Louisiana’s literacy model centers around five essential areas: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Rather than relying on memorization, students are taught how to decode words with an organized system. To successfully implement this, Louisiana has standardized high-quality curriculum materials throughout the state to ensure that teachers receive training aligned with evidence-based practices.

• Act 108 of the 2021 Regular Legislative Session mandates early literacy training for K–3 teachers of reading, math, science, and/or social studies, including special education teachers, principals, and assistant principals.

• Act 438 of the 2021 Regular Legislative Session requires teacher preparation programs to include coursework specifically focused on the teaching of reading and literacy.

• Act 448 of the 2022 Regular Legislative Session requires kindergarten through third-grade teachers seeking initial licensure to pass a scientifically researched and evidence-based exam on the teaching of reading.

• Alabama – Alabama implemented similar intervention strategies under its statewide literacy reform framework, including mandatory reading screeners, personalized reading improvement plans, and structured interventions for students who do not meet proficiency benchmarks.

• • • Alabama Literacy Act – Established a statewide framework to improve K–3 reading proficiency, including mandatory reading screeners, individualized and personalized reading improvement plans, targeted interventions, and a third-grade reading proficiency requirement for promotion.
    • HB 173 and SB 168 – Legislative efforts to prohibit the “three-cueing” strategy of reading instruction, reinforcing the state’s steps toward evidence-based, phonics-centered literacy practices.
• Massachusetts – Since 2012, Massachusetts’ adherence to statewide and concrete math and ELA standards has allowed it to maintain a high ranking in American education. Teachers are assessed by the instances of student achievement gaps, and the state has invested money in impoverished areas to a positive effect.

At the time of writing, this brief only covers material that has been published on the Freedom in Education website.📧 Contact Us: press@freedomined.org