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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November 13, 2024
Congress is Back and Making MovesLast night, the House and Senate made significant progress towards passing two AASA priorities: Social Security Fairness Act and Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization.
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November 08, 2024
Abolishing the U.S. Department of Education: What Do We Know and Not KnowMany soundbites this week have highlighted the expressed desire by President Trump to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. Could this happen?
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November 07, 2024
Election Takeaways: 3 Issues to WatchAnticipated funding and policy issues coming out of the 2024 election and what to watch for as a public school educator.
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November 05, 2024
USDA Announces Ban on School Meal Junk FeesUSDA announced that students eligible for free and reduced priced lunch cannot be charged junk fees through online payment processing platforms, effective SY27-28.
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November 05, 2024
USED: Resources to Assist with Preparation for the 2025-26 FAFSA CycleUSED shared an update on resources available to help schools, families and students ahead of the 2025-26 FAFSA cycle.
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November 04, 2024
The Advocate November 2024: Recommendations for the Next Administration MemoWith all of Washington in a state of paralysis ahead of the election, AASA chose to unveil a set of comprehensive recommendations focused on critical education priorities for the next administration.
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October 28, 2024
AASA Executive Director Seeks Nomination to USAC BoardAASA joined sixteen other national organizations in a joint letter supporting the nomination of AASA Executive Director David Schuler to the USAC Board of Directors as the representative for schools that are eligible to receive discounts.
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October 23, 2024
New Report Details Cost of Conflict for DistrictsAASA is proud to share a new resource, which examines the societal and fiscal cost of culturally divisive conflicts that have wracked schools in recent years, such as those over LGBTQ+ issues, teaching about race and racism, and efforts to ban books.
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October 09, 2024
Guest Post: Uncapped Federal Funding for Healthy, Efficient SchoolsThis guest post comes to us from UndauntedK12 about taking advantage of efficient energy opportunities through the Inflation Reduction Act.
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October 09, 2024
EPA Lead Testing Rule for Schools FinalizedThis week, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule creating the first-ever national requirement to test for lead in schools that rely on water from public utilities.
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October 07, 2024
FCC and USED Release Cybersecurity Resource GuideThe Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Education released a resource guide to help schools and libraries evaluate their cybersecurity risks and identify the most impactful cybersecurity solutions.
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October 03, 2024
The Advocate October 2024: What to Expect from the Lame Duck CongressWhen members return to Congress on November 12, the House and Senate will have a long to-do list, including some bills that they must pass, and some bills that AASA would like for them to pass.
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October 01, 2024
Guest Post: IES Resources for Supporting Student Engagement and AttendanceThis blog is cross posted with permission from IES (April 2024).
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September 26, 2024
Biden-Harris Admin Announce Additional Actions to Reduce Gun Violence and Protect StudentsThe U.S. Department of Education is providing schools, school boards, and policymakers with a new tool to promote safe gun storage in their communities.
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September 24, 2024
New USED Resources for Districts to Support Students with Mental Health DisabilitiesThe U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has issued four new resources for schools, stakeholders, students with disabilities, and their families.
Latest Advocacy & Policy Resources
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October 24, 2024
PEP Talk Episode 33: Education in the 2024 ElectionType:Podcast Topics: Advocacy & PolicyOn this episode of PEP Talk: Kat Sturdevant deep dives the role of education in the 2024 presidential election with Jonathan Voss, partner at Lake Research Partners, a national public opinion and political strategy research firm. -
October 22, 2024
A New Education Vision for the 2025-29 AdministrationType:Report Topics: Advocacy & Policy, Finance & BudgetsRecommendations for how the next administration can dramatically improve educational outcomes, reduce educational inequities and ensure the students in our schools today are able to excel in an increasingly competitive global workforce. -
October 02, 2024
Leadership Edge Walking in Zones and Times of TensionType:Article Topics: Advocacy & PolicyThis article explores the relevance of Heifetz and Linsky's Leadership on the Line for school leaders. It emphasizes the need for legal literacy to help educators navigate political and cultural tensions while fostering collaboration and maintaining educational integrity.
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