Three Historically Red States Elect Democratic Governors, Putting Education Policy in Play

Voters in three historically red states have elected Democratic governors for the first time in decades. Education policy is where the change could be felt first, WFLA News Channel 8 reported.

The station says the direction of education policy in those states is "about to see a major shake-up." It points to three fights that have shaped classrooms in recent years: school choice, LGBTQ topics in classrooms, and efforts for or against diversity, equity and inclusion, known as DEI.

What we can confirm

CCN's reporting here rests on the opening of WFLA's story, which is all that has been verified so far. That portion does not name the three states or the governors-elect. It does not say what any of them plans to do about school choice, library books, curriculum or DEI programs. It also does not say how much power the new governors will have over the legislatures they work with.

So CCN is not going to fill in the blanks. Names, platforms and quotes will be added once they are checked against WFLA's full report and the governors-elect's own statements.

What parents and taxpayers can watch

The questions are practical ones. If your state has a school choice program and your family uses it, ask the state agency that runs it whether anything is expected to change for your child. If you pay for public schools through local property taxes, ask your school board how any new state direction would affect its budget.

Many decisions about classroom materials and library shelves also reach families through the local school board. Board agendas and public comment periods are the quickest way to see what is coming before it arrives, and to speak up while it still matters.

CCN will follow the story as the governors-elect lay out their education plans, and will report what each one says in his or her own words.