ExcelinEd in Action Statehouse Spotlights

In our season finale of Statehouse Spotlights , Executive Director Patricia Levesque joins host Ashley Mullins to recap one of the most active education policy years we’ve covered. From math and literacy to phone-free schools, teacher policy, pathways, school choice, accountability and responsible artificial intelligence, state leaders moved big ideas through statehouses across the country. ...

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights , host Ashley Mullins shares a mid-June update as legislative sessions begin to wind down across the country. With only a handful of states still in session, meaningful education policy is still moving—from math intervention and charter facilities access in Ohio to major literacy reform in Massachusetts, student safety and AI guidance in North Carolina, and...

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins heads to Mississippi to examine the state’s next phase of literacy reform: a new effort to strengthen reading instruction and intervention for students in grades 4 through 8. After earning national recognition for its progress in early literacy, Mississippi is now building on that foundation through Senate Bill 2294, which requires evid...

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins takes listeners on a cross-country tour of the latest education policy developments as legislative sessions begin winding down and states race to finalize their agendas. From Arizona to Pennsylvania, lawmakers are advancing policies designed to strengthen student outcomes, expand opportunity and better prepare students for success in sc...

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins heads to Oklahoma to examine the state’s newly enacted effort to close one of the biggest barriers to public charter school growth: access to facilities financing. Through HB 3372, state leaders created both a revolving loan fund for charter school capital projects and a bond credit enhancement program designed to help qualifying school...

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights , host Ashley Mullins takes a step back to examine the major education policy developments emerging as legislative sessions wrap up across the country. With several states officially adjourned and others racing toward the finish line, the episode highlights the proposals, priorities and trends that gained momentum during the 2026 session.  Ashley begin...

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins heads to Alabama to explore the state’s newly enacted approach to outcomes-based funding in higher education . Signed into law alongside the state budget, the College and Higher Education Excellence and Results (CHEER) Act ties a portion of public college and university funding to measures, such as degree completion, job placement, wage...

In this episode of  Statehouse Spotlights , host Ashley Mullins marks Teacher Appreciation Week by taking a closer look at how states are moving beyond recognition to implement policies that strengthen and sustain the educator workforce. Rather than focusing on a single bill or state, this episode highlights a growing national trend: lawmakers advancing thoughtful, long-term strategies to rec...

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins heads to Ohio to explore a growing priority across states:  strengthening math outcomes for students . As more lawmakers turn their attention to math, Ohio is advancing a comprehensive policy approach designed to support students at every level, from those who need early intervention to those ready for advanced coursework.  As...

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins highlights the growing wave of K–8 literacy legislation advancing across the country as states enter the final stretch of their 2026 legislative sessions . From early literacy to adolescent supports, lawmakers are prioritizing comprehensive, evidence-based approaches to ensure students become proficient readers.   Ashley walks...

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins heads to Idaho to explore a policy gaining traction: earned autonomy for high-performing schools. Idaho lawmakers recently passed legislation designed to reward strong student outcomes and sound operations with greater flexibility, allowing qualifying schools to make decisions that better meet student needs while maintaining c...

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins recaps a prolific week of legislative activity as sessions conclude in Georgia, Idaho and Mississippi. From sweeping literacy and math initiatives to new flexibility for high-performing schools and investments in teacher policy and student pathways, these states advanced a wide range of reforms aimed at strengthening student o...

In this episode of  Statehouse Spotlights , host Ashley Mullins brings us to Arkansas to examine what happens after a major education reform package moves from passage to implementation. Three years after the enactment of the LEARNS Act, new statewide polling offers a critical lens into how families are experiencing the law—and how their perceptions are evolving over time....

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins delivers a timely look at the first wave of education policy outcomes from the 2026 legislative session. With several states already adjourned and others quickly approaching key deadlines, this update highlights where meaningful progress has been made and where important debates are still unfolding.  Ashley breaks down ea...

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins travels to Iowa to explore the next phase of education reform following the state’s adoption of a universal Education Savings Account (ESA) program and improvements to charter school policy. Ashley is joined by Senator Jesse Green, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Education Subcommittee , to discuss how Iowa is building on its recent...

In this episode of  Statehouse Spotlights , host Ashley Mullins breaks down the first major committee and floor deadlines of the 2026 legislative season. With early cutoffs now hitting in Florida, Virginia, Wisconsin and Mississippi, Ashley walks listeners through which key education bills are still advancing — and which proposals may be losing momentum.  This quick update highlights the...

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins explores Florida’s evolving approach to strengthening pathways that connect students from high school to postsecondary education, careers and long-term economic opportunity. Ashley is joined by Nathan Hoffman, Senior Legislative Director at ExcelinEd in Action and Director at the Foundation for Florida’s Future, to d...

In this episode of  Statehouse Spotlights , host Ashley Mullins breaks down the fast-paced end of New Mexico's short legislative session, highlighting the key education bills that crossed the finish line — and the proposals that fell short. Ashley then shifts to a status check on several other states, where major education policies are still moving as each state approaches critical proce...

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins takes a closer look at New Mexico’s renewed effort to strengthen early math instruction and improve student outcomes across the state. Ashley is joined by Senator William Soules, Chair of the New Mexico Senate Education Committee, to discuss the state’s comprehensive early numeracy initiative and why early math has become a legislative...

In this episode of  Statehouse Spotlight , host Ashley Mullins breaks down the fast-moving start to the 2026 state legislative sessions, where education policy is already front and center. As lawmakers introduce their early priorities, states are seeing quick action on proposals related to distraction-free learning policies, K-12 literacy, math and more.  Ashley highl...

In the season premiere of  Statehouse Spotlights , host Ashley Mullins sits down with ExcelinEd in Action Executive Director Patricia Levesque to break down the most important K-12 education policy trends to watch in 2026.    With legislatures moving quickly in an election year, Ashley and Patricia explore how states are responding to both long-standing challenge...

Welcome to the 2026 season of  Statehouse Spotlights ! In this trailer, host Ashley Mullins reintroduces the podcast and previews what listeners can expect in the year ahead, including fast-moving legislative updates and in-depth conversations with the leaders shaping K–12 education policy.   Ashley shares how the show will continue to break down complex education issues—from litera...

In our season finale of Statehouse Spotlights , Executive Director Patricia Levesque joins host Ashley Mullins for a rapid-fire rundown of the biggest education policy wins from the 2025 legislative session. From early literacy and math policy to school choice, pathways, funding and accountability—states delivered for students this year.  Hear what set this session apart, what trends surprise...

In the final stretch of legislative sessions, states are still making bold moves on education—from expanding school choice to boosting math instruction and reining in classroom distractions. Host Ashley Mullins breaks down the latest developments in Florida, New Hampshire, Louisiana, Texas, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania—including budget wins, policy setbacks, and what's still on the table....

In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights , host Ashley Mullins sits down with Pennsylvania State Representative Jason Ortitay to chat about early literacy reforms and explore the bipartisan push behind Act 135 of 2024—a landmark literacy reform law that’s reshaping reading instruction across the state. Ortitay shares what first motivated him to act, from personal experiences to troubling literacy...