The Leading Edge: Policy & Advocacy Blog
The Leading Edge, AASA's policy & advocacy blog, provides up-to-date information about activities in Washington, D.C. and Capitol Hill that affect you and your school district.
Topics include new or proposed regulations and federal policies, federal funding updates and opportunities, advocacy resources and more.
Latest Posts
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October 03, 2025
ED Issues Guidance on Lobbying with Federal Education FundingThe Dear Colleague letter includes no changes in law, regulation or guidance. Given the new guidance, it would be prudent for grantees to take this opportunity to review their practices and ensure compliance.
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October 02, 2025
The Advocate October 2025: Government Shutdown and FY26 Funding OutlookAs the federal government is officially shut down for an unknown period, we thought now would be a good opportunity to provide an update on what鈥檚 happening (and more likely not happening) with federal funding for K-12 education for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026.
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October 02, 2025
School Mental Health Grants ReopenedOn Monday, the U.S. Department of Education released revised priorities for both the School-Based Mental Health Services (SBMH) Grant Program and the Mental Health Service Professional (MHSP) Demonstration Grant Program.
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October 02, 2025
FCC Votes to End Biden-Era Wi-Fi Hot Spot ExpansionOn Tuesday, the FCC voted 2 to 1 on orders that would make both Wi-Fi on school buses and Wi-Fi hotspots ineligible for E-Rate support. 萝卜AV视频joined other groups in a press release opposing the vote.
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September 24, 2025
Administration Announces Changes to H-1B Visa ProgramThis week, the Trump Administration announced changes to the H-1B visa program, which allows employers to temporarily hire foreign workers for specialty occupation positions. Many school districts use this program to fill critical vacancies, especially in rural areas where staff shortages are more acute.
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September 24, 2025
萝卜AV视频Announces Collaboration with League of Women Voters to Support Student Voters萝卜AV视频is proud to announce a new partnership with the League of Women Voters (LWV) aimed at educating, equipping, and empowering student voters in 2025 and beyond.
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September 24, 2025
萝卜AV视频Joins EdLiNC, SHLB Coalitions in Letter to FCC Opposing Hotspots/Bus WiFi ReversalAASA, proud co-chair of the EdLiNC coalition, representing the entirety of the beneficiary community for the E-Rate program, was proud to join a letter calling on the FCC to preserve critical E-Rate initiatives that keep students and families connected.
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September 23, 2025
A District Leader鈥檚 Guide to a Federal Government ShutdownAs Congress heads toward the funding deadline without a clear path forward, a government shutdown seems increasingly likely. Here鈥檚 what district leaders need to know about how they will (and will not) be impacted.
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September 16, 2025
萝卜AV视频Joins EdLiNC to Submit Comments to Congressional USF Working Group萝卜AV视频was proud to file in coordination with EdLiNC, the Education and Libraries Network Consortium, the premier advocacy coalition representing all beneficiaries of the E-Rate program.
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September 16, 2025
(UPDATED) Administration Moves to Disqualify Immigrant Students from Head Start and Certain CTE ProgramsUPDATE: Two court challenges result have led to injunctions of this new rule, including a nationwide injunction for the Head Start interpretation.
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September 15, 2025
Is Your District Ready for Constitution Day Requirements?If your district receives federal funds, you are required to provide an educational program on the US Constitution for your students on or around September 17. USED issued a letter on this, which we are sharing.
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September 15, 2025
Trump Administration Releases MAHA Commission ReportLast week, the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission released its 鈥淪trategy Report,鈥� outlining federal initiatives to combat the childhood chronic disease crisis.
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September 08, 2025
萝卜AV视频Urges House Appropriations Committee to Reject FY26 ProposalAhead of September 9 hearing on the FY26 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Services proposal, 萝卜AV视频sent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee urging members to reject the measure.
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September 05, 2025
USED Plans New Civil Rights Enforcement Disparate Impact RulesIn its Semi-Annual Regulatory Agenda updated this week, the U.S. Department of Education stated it would issue a number of rules aimed at walking back prior civil rights requirements and aligning program enforcement with the President鈥檚 priorities.
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September 04, 2025
萝卜AV视频Urges Senate to Pass Bipartisan FY26 ProposalToday, 萝卜AV视频led a letter鈥攋oined by five other K-12 organizations鈥攖o the Senate urging them to swiftly pass the bipartisan FY26 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Services proposal that advanced through committee in late July.
Latest Advocacy & Policy Resources
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September 18, 2025
PEP Talk Episode 40: The Impact of Impact AidType:Podcast Topics: Advocacy & PolicyOn this episode of PEP Talk: Kat Sturdevant speaks with Quincy Natay, superintendent of Chinle Unifed School District #24 in Chinle, AZ about the critical need of Impact Aid funding, the nation鈥檚 oldest federal K-12 education program that turns 75 this year. -
September 02, 2025
One Big Beautiful Bill Act & Its Impact on K-12 EducationType:Report Topics: Advocacy & Policy, Finance & BudgetsA whitepaper outlines the key policy and funding impacts for public schools following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. -
July 16, 2025
School Law Under the Microscope: Outcomes of the U.S. Supreme Court Decisions Affecting K-12 EducationType:Webinar Recording Topics: Advocacy & Policy, Legal MattersInsightful webinar exploring the latest and most significant U.S. Supreme Court cases affecting K-12 public education.
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