Senators voted 64 to 33 to approve Cardona, a former fourth-grade teacher and school principal. Idaho Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch both voted no.
School Policy

Schools must still give standardized tests this year, Biden administration says
But schools won’t be held accountable for the results — and states could give shorter, remote, or delayed versions of the exams.

Back to school in 2021: a mixed picture
Each district is responding to the pandemic in its own way, but for many students the new year means a new shot at in-person learning.

Biden set to nominate Miguel Cardona as education secretary, sidestepping fraught policy debates
The Connecticut education commissioner is a former public school teacher.

Most districts and charters fail to comply with Idaho’s transparency laws
Only about 20 percent of schools update their websites with current expenditures, contracts and board documents, according to an EdNews review.

Athletic proposal would let more parents in games — with consequences if districts violate safety protocols
The plan would allow up to two spectators per student participant and enforce a series of safety protocols. Gov. Brad Little has not yet agreed to the proposal.

Education leaders want the governor to allow more parents into sports events
Gov. Brad Little’s statewide order designed to help slow the spread of coronavirus limits gatherings to 10 people or less. Players are exempt but spectators are not.

Office of School Safety reports mixed compliance on various safety measures
Staff visited more than 700 schools over the past four years and will report findings to the 2021 Legislature.

Little says he’s in no rush to change school closure authority laws
The Legislature has signaled it will take up a number of issues in 2021.