Understanding Education Policymakers: Why It Matters and How to Stay Informed
- Alexandra Salas
- Oct 16
- 2 min read
Education policy shapes nearly every aspect of teaching and learning—from funding and technology to curriculum and assessment. Yet educators and community members may not be clear about who makes policy decisions or how to track their priorities.
Below is a guide to understanding who the policymakers are, why their work matters, and how to stay informed.
Who Are the Policymakers in Education?
Education policy operates across several levels:
Federal: The U.S. Department of Education and Congress set national priorities through funding, civil rights enforcement, and innovation grants.
State: Governors, legislatures, and state boards determine standards, teacher licensure, testing systems, and resource allocation.
Local: School boards, superintendents, and higher-ed trustees turn policy into practice, influencing curriculum and spending decisions.
Influencers and Intermediaries: Research organizations, advocacy groups, and think tanks, such as the Brookings Institution, the Learning Policy Institute and the National Governors Association, shape public debate and legislative agendas.
For example, the National Governors Association (2025) reports that most governors this year prioritized “AI readiness, workforce pathways, and equitable school funding” as top education issues. (NGA, 2025)
“Policy literacy empowers educators to move from compliance to collaboration and influence.”— Education Commission of the States, 2024: State Policy Roadmap on Educational Innovation (ecs.org)
Why It’s Important for Educators and Communities
Understanding education policy is essential because it directly affects:
Resources: Who gets funded and how funds are distributed.
Curriculum and testing: What students are taught and how success is measured.
Technology and innovation: Whether schools can access tools like AI and adaptive learning.
Equity and inclusion: How policies address gaps for low-income or marginalized students.
By knowing who shapes education policy, educators can advocate for equitable budgets, participate in decision-making, and anticipate changes before they reach the classroom.
“Educators who understand how policy is made are better equipped to ensure that reforms serve students rather than systems.”— Learning Policy Institute, 2025: Equity and Access in an AI Era (learningpolicyinstitute.org)
Where to Learn More and Track Policy Priorities
For those who want to stay informed, several trusted organizations track policy developments and publish education trend reports:
Resource | Focus Area | Learn More |
Education Commission of the States (ECS) | State policy databases, bills, and trends | |
National Governors Association (NGA) | Annual summary of state education priorities | |
State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO) | Surveys of higher education policy priorities | |
Brookings Institution – Brown Center on Education Policy | Federal and international education trends | |
Learning Policy Institute (LPI) | Equity, teacher preparation, and policy reform research | |
U.S. Department of Education | Federal grants, AI and technology priorities |
“Policy is not just made in capitols—it’s interpreted and implemented in classrooms.”— Brookings Institution, Brown Center on Education Policy, 2025 (brookings.edu)
Education policy is the engine that drives opportunities, equity, and innovation in every school and campus. By understanding who creates policy and how to follow their priorities, educators and communities can move from passive recipients to informed active shapers of the educational future.
