{"podcast":{"title":"ExcelinEd in Action Statehouse Spotlights","slug":"excelined-in-action-statehouse-spotlights-6742239","podcast_index_feed_id":6742239,"rss_url":"https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/657c82564969990016c55eb9","website_url":"https://shows.acast.com/657c82564969990016c55eb9","image_url":"https://assets.pippa.io/shows/cover/1702658334421-5db438be1e53cf13f9243c8c2933e723.jpeg","author":"ExcelinEd in Action","episode_count":64,"summary":"ExcelinEd in Action Statehouse Spotlights is a weekly podcast that provides quick, timely updates about K-12 education legislation across the country. Hosted by the ExcelinEd in Action Advocacy team, we track and report on bills about several key student-centered policy areas, including early literacy, the teacher pipeline, school funding, the digital divide, education choice, reimagining learning, school accountability and college and career pathways. In a nutshell: The ExcelinEd in Action Statehouse Spotlights podcast is the perfect way to stay up to date on the latest education policy news and trends during state legislative sessions from a team of experts you can trust. Why should you listen? You'll find out about what’s trending in K-12 education policy in state legislatures. You'll stay informed on how bills are changing, stalling or advancing You’ll learn which state legislative champions are shaping the future of education. You'll be inspired to take action to improve education for all students. Subscribe to ExcelinEd in Action Statehouse Spotlights today, and never miss an episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.","last_synced_at":null,"page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/excelined-in-action-statehouse-spotlights-6742239"},"episode":{"title":"Quick Update: The K-8 literacy surge in the states","slug":"quick-update-the-k-8-literacy-surge-in-the-states","published_at":"2026-04-23T11:30:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/excelined-in-action-statehouse-spotlights-6742239/quick-update-the-k-8-literacy-surge-in-the-states","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/excelined-in-action-statehouse-spotlights-6742239","url":"https://shows.acast.com/excelined-in-action-statehouse-spotlights/episodes/quick-update-the-k-8-literacy-surge-in-the-states","audio_url":"https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/657c82564969990016c55eb9/e/69e908891e5fb1ae4685faaf/media.mp3","summary":"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 through major developments across the nation, including in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Utah and Wyoming, where policymakers are strengthening literacy systems.  The episode also highlights a key shift in focus: extending literacy supports into grades 4–8 to ensure struggling readers do not fall behind as academic content becomes more complex.  At the same time, Ashley underscores an important reality of policymaking—while many states are seeing significant progress, not every proposal crosses the finish line. Listeners will hear updates from states like Nebraska and Kansas, where strong literacy efforts faced legislative hurdles, offering insight into the ongoing, iterative nature of education reform.  The episode concludes with a quick look at legislative sessions nearing adjournment in Iowa and Tennessee, where several major education policies are still advancing.  Listeners will come away with a clear, timely snapshot of the nationwide literacy surge, the policies shaping reading instruction and the continued momentum to strengthen student outcomes through thoughtful, sustained reform.  Remember to join the conversation on social media.    ExcelinEd in Action (@ExcelinAction) / X (twitter.com)     ExcelinEd in Action (@exc…","meta_description":"In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, host Ashley Mullins highlights the growing wave of K–8 literacy legislation advancing across the country as stat…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":974,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/excelined-in-action-statehouse-spotlights-6742239/episodes/quick-update-the-k-8-literacy-surge-in-the-states/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/excelined-in-action-statehouse-spotlights-6742239/quick-update-the-k-8-literacy-surge-in-the-states.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}