Education director outlines 2026 legislative wins and flags emergency rules for 8th‑grade athletics

Director Katie Snow delivered the Department of Education’s legislative report, summarizing education policy advances from the 2026 session and immediate rulemaking requirements for the board.

Snow said bills that advanced included the Pathways Matter package — which sets common‑course numbering, codifies a statewide H3 (high‑skill, high‑demand, high‑wage) definition and aligns state spending and regional planning partnerships — along with laws on instructional quality and educator preparation. The department is already aligning its credential and IRC lists with the H3 tiers and revising assessments to match standard changes.

Snow also called attention to House File 2591. "Please note that the board is not scheduled for a July meeting. So, these emergency rules will be on the June 18th board agenda and relate to 8th grade participation in high school athletics," she said, noting the board must adopt emergency rules by Aug. 1. Board members clarified that emergency rules, if adopted, take effect upon adoption and then undergo public comment after adoption.

Snow said other department priorities will continue to seek federal opportunities for workforce PEL work by building unit‑level wage data and statewide ROI indicators, and administrative refinements to improve CTE transferability and concurrent‑enrollment access. She indicated the department will return in June with a post‑session report after the governor’s signing period.