What Will the 2018 Election Results Mean for Education?

The outcome of the 2018 elections is sure to have big consequences for P-12 and higher education. Not only is control of the U.S. House of Representatives shifting, but 36 governors were on the ballot, along with 6,000 state legislative seats, seven state superintendents, plus countless local school board races.

Three days after the election, the Education Writers Association is helping reporters make sense of the results and identify key story lines during a live webcast event at the National Press Club. Speakers include Washington insiders, education and political analysts, and veteran journalists.

We are exploring what the election is likely to mean for key issues, including funding for public schools and universities, teacher pay, school choice, and accountability. Also, how might shifts in Congress affect President Trump’s education agenda and the priorities being pursued by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos?

The event features two panels, with the first focused on P-12 issues and the second on higher education.

Among the confirmed speakers:

• Lily Eskelsen García, president, National Education Association
• Caroline Hendrie, executive director, Education Writers Association
• Terry W. Hartle, senior vice president for government and public affairs, American Council on Education
• Frederick M. Hess, director of education policy studies, American Enterprise Institute
• Michael Mitchell, program director, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
• Scott Pattison, executive director and CEO, National Governors Association

Reporter Daarel Burnette II of Education Week will moderate the P-12 panel. Adam Harris of The Atlantic will moderate the higher ed discussion.