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 30, 2023
HHS Releases Proposed Rule on Head Start Staff Compensation, Benefits and MoreLast week, HHS released a proposed rule on numerous aspects of Head Start. The headline of the rule is a significant increase to staff compensation.
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November 30, 2023
New Education Impact ReportOn November 30, 2023, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative shared an impact report that looks back on eight years of CZI’s work in education.
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November 30, 2023
COVID-19 Tests Available for SchoolsEarlier this week, USED announced a partnership with the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide free COVID-19 tests to school districts.
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November 16, 2023
Department of Education Releases 2020-21 Civil Rights DataThis week, the Department of Education released the new federal civil rights data for the 2020-2021 school year. Officials have cautioned against comparing this year’s data to previous reports, since 2020-2021 was the first year coming out of the pandemic school closures.
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November 15, 2023
AASA Supports Reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools ProgramAASA joined AESA, NREA and NREAC in a joint letter to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
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November 15, 2023
AASA Releases Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) Survey ReportToday, your Advocacy team released the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) Survey Report.
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November 15, 2023
Learn Without Limits: Fully Launched!FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced her three-part Learn Without Limits initiative over the summer.
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November 15, 2023
FY2024: Avoiding a Shutdown But Still Not FundedIn a whirlwind of activity on Tuesday, the House passed (in a bipartisan manner) a continuing resolution (CR) that extends government funding at current levels for four appropriations bills through January 18 and for the other eight through February 2.
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November 14, 2023
AASA Joins Six National Organizations in Joint Letter Opposing House FY24 Funding BillAASA joined six national education associations in a letter to the House of Representatives expressing STRONG OPPOSITION to the Republican FY24 funding proposal.
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November 14, 2023
USED Announces New Tools to Tackle Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and Related Forms of Discrimination and BiasUSED released new tools today.
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November 09, 2023
ESSER in Action in Iowa: Dial M for MarshalltownAASA, The School Superintendents Association, is launching a series, ESSER in Action, highlighting how COVID-19 relief funds are making an impact across the country.
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November 09, 2023
Guest Post: Making the Most of Your Summer Fun(ds)— Putting Together the Pieces of Your Summer Program PuzzleThis is the sixth installment of the Summer Funds series with AASA President Gladys Cruz.
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November 09, 2023
FCC Announces Proposal to Allow E-Rate Dollars to Cover Hot SpotsFCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel moved forward with the second part of her Learn Without Limits Initiative.
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November 08, 2023
AASA Files Comments in Response to Dept of Labor Proposed Changes to OvertimeAASA joined Association of Educational Service Agencies and Association of School Business Officials International in a joint letter responding to Department of Labor’s proposed changes to the overtime rules.
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November 07, 2023
ED Releases Dear Colleague on Protecting Students Against DiscriminationToday, the Department of Education released a Dear Colleague letter to remind schools of their legal obligation to address discrimination, including harassment.
Latest Advocacy & Policy Resources
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November 21, 2024
PEP Talk Episode 34: The E-Rate SagaType:Podcast Topics: Advocacy & PolicyOn this episode of PEP Talk: Kat Sturdevant gets into the weeds on the current saga of the FCC's Universal Service Fund and E-Rate with Jon Bernstein, an education technology and telecommunications lobbyist and president of Bernstein Strategy Group. -
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.
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