Shaping the Future of American Education: Key Trends in the 2025 State of the State Addresses

Introduction

Throughout 2025, governors across the United States have seized the opportunity provided by their State of the State addresses to highlight one of their most significant and impactful budget priorities: education.

These leaders not only celebrated notable achievements but also introduced innovative initiatives and shared bold visions to transform education within their respective states.

This year is particularly remarkable. The Chair of the National Governors Association (NGA), Colorado Governor Jared Polis, has spearheaded a movement through his initiative “Let’s Get Ready!: Educating All Americans for Success,” encouraging governors to reimagine their education systems and implement reforms that prepare students to thrive in an ever-evolving economy.

By mid-March 2025, at least 49 governors had delivered their addresses, offering a clear picture of the trends currently shaping education across the United States.

For the sixth consecutive year, the NGA and the Education Commission of the States (ECS) have partnered to publish a comprehensive analysis of these approaches, identifying seven key trends driving state education agendas:

• K–12 Funding

• Workforce Development and Career and Technical Education

• Teacher Workforce

• Academic Achievement

• School Choice

• Early Care and Education

• Mental and Physical Health

Additionally, an emerging issue has been identified: cell phone use in schools.

The following sections highlight the main points from governors’ speeches, illustrating how each of these trends is being addressed across the nation.

K–12 Funding

K–12 education funding was addressed by at least 32 governors. Key highlights include:

• Guam: Governor Leon Guerrero allocated $8.5 million of the territory’s budget for maintaining school facilities.

• Maine: Governor Mills celebrated fulfilling the state’s obligation to cover 55% of local education costs, adding $156 million to uphold this commitment.

• Missouri: Governor Kehoe proposed a $200 million increase in the Foundation Formula and announced the creation of a task force to modernize it.

• Nebraska: Governor Pillen prioritized overhauling the state’s school funding system by establishing a special commission to recommend a new model.

• New Hampshire: Governor Ayotte highlighted a $98.8 million investment in special education, nearly a 50% increase from the previous biennium.

• Oregon: Governor Kotek proposed changes to how the Current Service Level funding is calculated to provide more stable financial support to districts.

• Vermont: Governor Scott introduced a multi-year plan focused on student-centered funding and supporting local school boards during district consolidations.

• Delaware: Although he has yet to deliver his address, Governor Meyer has vigorously advocated for a new funding formula by the 2025–26 academic year.

“Proposing a new approach to education funding is essential. Getting this formula right will benefit taxpayers and deliver high-quality education with more opportunities for all students, from cradle to career.” — Governor Phil Scott

Workforce Development and Career and Technical Education

At least 33 governors emphasized workforce development and career and technical education initiatives to prepare students for high-demand careers:

• Idaho: Governor Little praised the success of Idaho LAUNCH, which provides grants for workforce training programs.

• Massachusetts: Governor Healey commended Early College and job training programs, pledging to expand them.

• North Carolina: Governor Stein aims to double the number of apprentices within four years, create a Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships, and offer free community college for students in high-demand fields.

• Oklahoma: Governor Stitt called for the creation of 250 new apprenticeship opportunities before year-end.

• U.S. Virgin Islands: Governor Byran announced the Virgin Islands Technical College will open in September 2025, allowing high school students to graduate with two-year degrees and certifications.

• California: Governor Newsom introduced the “Master Plan for Career Education,” with six strategies to enhance career pathways and prioritize hands-on learning.

• South Dakota: Governor Rhoden signed legislation to improve equipment at technical colleges.

“There are many paths to success: some enter the workforce straight out of high school, some join the military, some attend college. We must respect and support all of them.”

Teacher Workforce

Teacher workforce issues were addressed by at least 26 governors, focusing on recruitment, retention, and compensation strategies:

• Florida: Governor DeSantis celebrated the state’s record $4.6 billion budget for raising teacher salaries.

• Hawaii: Governor Green linked teacher shortages to a lack of affordable housing, advocating for investments in residences for educators.

• Indiana: Governor Braun proposed raising the minimum salary for public school teachers by $5,000 and ensuring that 65% of state tuition support goes toward teacher pay.

• Maryland: Governor Moore announced a national campaign to recruit top educators and proposed debt-free pathways to teaching.

• Pennsylvania: Governor Shapiro highlighted new stipends for student teachers to reduce financial barriers to entering the profession.

• Texas: Governor Abbott expressed his goal of raising average teacher salaries to record levels, emphasizing that top educators deserve six-figure salaries.

• West Virginia: Governor Morrissey underscored the need for more competitive teacher pay compared to neighboring states.

“As the son and father of teachers, I know teaching is one of the noblest professions. We have invested $100 million to raise teacher pay, particularly for those starting their careers.”

Academic Achievement

At least 24 governors addressed improving academic achievement, with a focus on literacy, numeracy, and attendance:

• Alabama: Governor Ivey praised improved National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading scores and credited the Alabama Literacy Act.

• Alaska: Governor Dunleavy noted a literacy increase from 41% to 57% after implementing the Alaska READS Act.

• Connecticut: Governor Lamont promoted the Learner Engagement and Attendance Program (LEAP) to combat chronic absenteeism.

• New Mexico: Governor Lujan Grisham celebrated the Structured Literacy initiative and summer programs enrolling 10,000 students, leading to an 11% rise in reading proficiency.

• Rhode Island: Governor McKee expanded on the Attendance Matters campaign with the $2.85 million Math Matters initiative.

• Virginia: Governor Youngkin emphasized the Virginia Literacy Act and tutoring programs that improved early literacy outcomes.

• Wyoming: Governor Gordon highlighted the RIDE initiative’s success in enhancing student achievement.

• Puerto Rico: Governor González-Colón prioritized advancing STEM education across the island’s schools.

“Investments in early literacy and summer learning will transform the future trajectories of our children.”

School Choice

At least 21 governors discussed school choice, focusing on expanding access to quality educational options and ensuring accountability:

• Arizona: Governor Hobbs advocated for adding income caps to the Education Savings Account (ESA) program.

• Kansas: Governor Kelly emphasized supporting public schools and rejecting efforts to divert funds to private institutions.

• Mississippi: Governor Reeves supported increasing parental choice in education.

• Nevada: Governor Lombardo celebrated expanded transportation options for charter school students.

• Louisiana: Governor Landry’s proposed budget includes nearly $100 million for ESA participants in the 2025–26 school year.

Early Care and Education

Early childhood education initiatives were highlighted by at least 24 governors:

• Colorado: Governor Polis celebrated the state’s jump to 7th nationally in preschool enrollment, saving families an average of $6,100.

• Iowa: Governor Reynolds announced a new grant to integrate preschool and childcare services.

• Kentucky: Governor Beshear called for universal pre-K, noting that 54% of children are unprepared for kindergarten.

• New Jersey: Governor Murphy proposed mandating full-day kindergarten in communities where it is still unavailable.

• South Carolina: Governor McMaster championed continued investment in the state-funded full-day 4K program, benefiting low-income households.

• Tennessee: Governor Lee allocated $11 million to partner with Boys and Girls Clubs to serve 7,500 low-income children and families.

Mental and Physical Health

At least 21 governors addressed student physical, mental, and behavioral health:

• Georgia: Governor Kemp praised behavioral health funding that enabled an effective response to the 2024 Apalachee High School shooting.

• New York: Governor Hochul introduced “Unplug and Play” to encourage youth engagement in healthier activities, while also proposing free school meals for all children.

• North Dakota: Governor Armstrong called for expanding the Farm-to-School program to boost local food sourcing.

• Ohio: Governor DeWine launched the OhioSee Program to guarantee vision screenings for K–3 students.

• Washington: Governor Ferguson supported providing free breakfast and lunch for all K–12 students.

• Minnesota: Governor Walz prioritized free meals for the state’s nearly 900,000 public school students.

Conclusion

As governors continue to shape the future of American education through strategic policies and investments, their State of the State addresses provide invaluable insight into priorities that will influence years to come.

By tracking these trends, we gain a firsthand perspective on how states are strengthening education systems and better preparing students for success in an ever-changing world.

Through coordinated actions and visionary policies, American education is progressing toward a future that is more inclusive, equitable, and innovative.