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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
September 04, 2025
ED Opens Beta Testing for 2026-27 FAFSA FormThe U.S. Department of Education is beta testing the 2026鈥�2027 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA庐) form before it goes live to the public by October 1.
-
September 02, 2025
萝卜AV视频Opposes House LHHS Subcommittee FY26 ProposalOn Sunday the House LHHS subcommittee released its proposal for FY26, funding that would be available to schools for the 26-27 school year. 萝卜AV视频released letter in response.
-
September 02, 2025
萝卜AV视频Whitepaper on OBBB Impacts on K-12New whitepaper that outlines the key policy and funding impacts for public schools following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
-
September 02, 2025
Constitution Day is September 17: Resources for Your District!Constitutiondayhub.org is a new resource offering educational institutions a one-stop shop for freely-accessible, high-quality, non-partisan, age-appropriate, Constitution-specific lessons.
-
August 25, 2025
ED Issues New Guidance on Equitable ServicesThe U.S. Department of Education issued a 鈥淒ear Colleague鈥� letter that outlines responsibilities of States and districts in providing services to students and teachers in private schools.
-
August 21, 2025
GUEST POST: New UndauntedK12 Resources for Infrastructure InvestmentsThis guest post from UndauntedK12 showcases new resources to help schools make sense of the new federal budget reconciliation bill and implications for clean energy projects at schools.
Latest Advocacy & Policy Resources
-
November 20, 2025
PEP Talk Episode 42: Rethinking Special Education Dispute Resolution at IDEA鈥檚 50th AnniversaryType:Podcast Topics: Access & Opportunity, Advocacy & Policy, District & School OperationsOn this episode of PEP Talk: Kat Sturdevant interviews two of the authors of AASA's new report Rethinking Special Education Dispute Resolution at IDEA鈥檚 50th Anniversary. -
November 10, 2025
Rethinking Special Education Dispute Resolution at IDEA鈥檚 50th AnniversaryType:Report Topics: Access & Opportunity, Advocacy & PolicyWhat began as a procedural safeguard to ensure fairness and accountability has, over time, evolved into an increasingly adversarial, inequitable, and financially unsustainable process鈥攐ne that too often diverts resources from classrooms to courtrooms. -
November 01, 2025
Diplomacy Without Compromise: Advocacy in Public EducationType:Article Topics: Advocacy & PolicyA veteran superintendent reframes what it means to be both tactful and resolute when pressing for what鈥檚 important in schooling today.
Receive legislative and regulatory actions direct to your inbox
Stay updated on the issues that matter most to you and understand how they could affect you, your district, your students and your community.