COVID-19 Crisis Raises K-12 Stakes for State Elections Nationwide

While the top of the ballot dominates national conversations, educators around the country have their eyes on state-level races Nov. 3 that could have significant consequences for their schools.

Education is always on the ballot in state races, but this year's elections have even more significance: Governors and state education leaders will have a far more central role than federal officials in steering schools schools through the public health and economic crises brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

They will set public health policies that could determine whether schools operate remotely or in-person. They will direct federal aid for education and related issues, like virus testing. And they will chart a course on issues like accountability as schools work to get students back on track following unprecedented interruptions.

With most state legislatures on the ballot, along with nearly a dozen governorships, and a scattering of state schools chiefs, here are some state-level races to watch:

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2020/10/covid-19_has_put_education_on_.html