In this season finale of Policy Changes Lives, ExcelinEd VP of Policy Cara Candal sits down with ExcelinEd CEO Patricia Levesque to break down the most important education policy trends state leaders need to watch as 2026 approaches.

From new efforts to strengthen middle-grade literacy to a rapid expansion of math policy reform, Patricia walks through where states are headed—and why foundational skills will continue to dominate legislative agendas. The conversation also explores rising interest in postsecondary return-on-investment, updated accountability and data systems, workforce-aligned pathways, digital distraction policies like phone-free schools, and what states can expect as AI tools reshape classrooms and policymaking.

Cara and Patricia reflect on the biggest themes from the 2025 season and discuss how governors, legislators and education chiefs can prepare for a policy year defined by both urgency and opportunity. If you want to understand the landscape heading into 2026—and what it will take to drive meaningful impact for students—this episode is the perfect place to start.

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Couldn’t make it to the 2025 National Summit on Education—or just couldn’t be in three strategy sessions at once? In this special bonus episode, host Dr. Cara Candal pulls together some of the most important ideas, quotes and policy takeaways from across the Summit’s strategy sessions and mainstage conversations.

Across three days, state leaders, practitioners and advocates dug into the big questions driving education policy right now:

• How do we close achievement gaps in reading and math?
• What does real college and career readiness look like?
• How should states rethink funding, school choice, civics, and digital learning for a new generation of students?

Cara takes you behind the scenes, weaving together clips from multiple sessions and connecting them to the practical realities facing governors, legislators and state agencies in the year ahead.

To listen to the full 2025 ExcelinEd National Summit on Education strategy session audios as well as our keynotes from the main stage, visit our YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj48WE9RS6E&list=PLamKh0vaiRJOqVYjpgynniKnpJ5bjJ3rh

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In this episode of Policy Changes Lives, ExcelinEd’s Founder, Chairman and 43rd Governor of Florida Jeb Bush takes the main stage with President and CEO of the Daniels Fund Hanna Skandera to open the 17th annual National Summit on Education in New Orleans with a powerful conversation on the future of learning, leadership and opportunity in America.

Reflecting on lessons from two decades of education reform and leadership through crises, Gov. Bush shares his vision for helping every student succeed through proven, student-centered policies that close learning gaps, expand parental choice and strengthen pathways to in-demand careers. The conversation touches on key themes from this year’s Summit—from rebuilding trust in higher education and addressing digital distraction in schools to balancing innovation in artificial intelligence with safeguards that protect children and preserve great teaching.

Gov. Bush also reflects on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and how Louisiana leaders transformed a moment of devastation into an education renaissance. His candid Q&A sets the stage for two days of action-oriented discussions, challenging policymakers to “go big and be bold” in tackling today’s toughest education challenges.

Listeners will leave inspired to reimagine education policy, recommit to the fundamentals of reading and math and build a future where every child has the chance to thrive.

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High school has long centered on traditional courses like biology, civics and earth science—subjects chosen because every student needs a foundation in how their bodies, their government and their world work. But in 2025 and beyond, the demands on graduates are rapidly shifting. In this episode of Policy Changes Lives, co-hosts Adriana Harrington and Lindsey Henderson sit down with Liz Cohen, Vice President of Policy at 50CAN, to explore how high school requirements must evolve to better prepare students for college, careers and life.

From financial literacy and computer science to data science, digital safety and modern math pathways, the conversation digs into the policies and practices that can ensure all students leave high school ready for an increasingly complex and technology-driven world and how these additions reflect a shift toward preparing students for real-world success.

Liz brings insights from her nearly two decades of work in education policy, as well as her research on tutoring, learning recovery and the future of personalized learning. The takeaway is clear: math and data science are no longer optional add-ons—they are the bridge between college readiness and career readiness, equipping students with the skills they’ll need to thrive in an increasingly data-driven world.

Together, Adriana, Lindsey and Liz ask a bold question: What does every student truly need to know before they graduate? This discussion challenges policymakers, educators and families alike to rethink high school for the next generation—and to build a system that equips students not just with knowledge, but with the skills to thrive.

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Most literacy policies focus on ensuring students can read proficiently by third grade. But what happens when they don’t? In this episode of Policy Changes Lives, ExcelinEd’s Dr. Kymyona Burk and Casey Taylor explore the “new frontier” in literacy policy: adolescent literacy.

Drawing on new research and national data, they unpack why so many middle and high school students still struggle to read classroom materials fluently—and what it really means to cross the “decoding threshold.” From the latest NAEP results to evidence-based strategies for Tier 1 instruction, the conversation highlights the urgent need to support students who haven’t yet mastered foundational reading skills.

Kymyona and Casey discuss the role of high-quality instructional materials, targeted interventions and ongoing professional learning for teachers. They also explain how strong early literacy policies must be paired with strategies to help older students build fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.

Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of how literacy development continues well beyond third grade—and how thoughtful policy can help every student become a confident, capable reader.

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What happens after students graduate high school? Do the pathways we’ve built truly prepare them for success in college, careers and life? In this episode of Policy Changes Lives, host Nathan Oakley sits down with Dr. Ken Warden, Commissioner of the Arkansas Division of Higher Education, to explore how states are answering these critical questions with data-driven solutions.

Together, they discuss how Arkansas is leading with its return-on-investment analysis of college and career programs. The conversation highlights the power of data not just to measure outcomes but to guide real action—helping policymakers, schools and communities create stronger, more effective pathways for students.

Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of how data can shine a light on what works, where gaps remain and how states can better prepare students for the opportunities that await them beyond high school.

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In this episode of Policy Changes Lives, host Adriana Harrington sits down with South Carolina Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver to discuss the state’s efforts to create distraction-free classrooms. In 2024, South Carolina became one of the first states in the nation to include a cell phone provision in its budget, requiring districts to prohibit the use of personal communication devices—like phones, smartwatches, tablets and gaming devices—during the school day.

Superintendent Weaver shares the reasoning behind this bold step, the early impact on students and educators and the challenges and successes schools have experienced in the rollout. From improving focus and academic performance to addressing student well-being, South Carolina’s policy is sparking national conversations about the role of technology in learning.

Listeners will gain practical insights into how schools are adapting, how families are responding and what may be next as policymakers consider making this approach permanent. The episode highlights why limiting digital distractions isn’t just a discipline issue but a key part of supporting student success and preparing schools for the future.

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In this episode of Policy Changes Lives, host Justine Morina sits down with Meagan Comb, Executive Director of the Wheelock Educational Policy Center at Boston University, to unpack one of the most urgent questions in education: How do we ensure every student has a well-prepared, effective teacher?

Together, they explore how states are rethinking teacher preparation as part of broader efforts to boost literacy and math outcomes. From Louisiana’s bold math teacher training requirements to Colorado’s flexible licensure pathways and Arkansas’ sweeping LEARNS Act reforms, the conversation highlights concrete examples of how smart policy can strengthen teacher pipelines, address shortages and ultimately improve student achievement.

Listeners will walk away with practical lessons from leading states about the critical skills teachers need most, the role of data and evidence in evaluating preparation programs and strategies for recruiting and retaining a diverse and talented educator workforce. This episode offers both inspiration and practical takeaways for policymakers and advocates committed to ensuring every child has access to great teaching and a well-prepared, effective teacher.

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