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 04, 2023
The Advocate October 2023: All Things School NutritionThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been busy this year with new rules and regulations for school meal programs. This month, we’re putting everything you need to know about what’s happened and what to expect all in one place.
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September 29, 2023
FY24 Appropriations Update and How a Government Shutdown Impacts SchoolsCongress’s time to fund the government beyond Saturday’s midnight is dwindling.
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September 27, 2023
Âܲ·AVÊÓƵJoins Other Organizations Asking Department of Labor for More Comment Time on Overtime PlanÂܲ·AVÊÓƵjoined more than 100 business groups in a letter to the US Department of Labor in response to a proposed set of changes to the overtime pay regulations.
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September 26, 2023
USDA Issues Final Rule on CEP EligibilityToday, USDA issued a final rule on changing the eligibility threshold for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). The new minimum Identified Student Percentage (ISP) that districts need to participate is 25—brought down from the current 40. This rule will go into effect on October 26, 2023.
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September 26, 2023
USED Protecting Student Privacy: WebinarsAs part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, USED’s Student Privacy Policy Office announced a series of three webinars as part of its three-day National Student Data Security Summit.
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September 25, 2023
ESSER in Action in New Hartford: A Community Rich in History in New York State’s Mohawk ValleyAASA, Âܲ·AVÊÓƵ, is launching a series, ESSER in Action, highlighting how COVID-19 relief funds are making an impact across the country.
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September 21, 2023
CALL TO ACTION: FY24 AppropriationsIn the ultimate game of ‘will they or won’t they’, we once again find ourselves with a Congress that is unable to reliably complete its only Constitutionally-required task: funding the government.
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September 19, 2023
Forward Progress on ARP LiquidationYesterday, ED released a letter to States advising them that they would begin the process of allowing States to apply for late liquidation funds this fall.
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September 19, 2023
Âܲ·AVÊÓƵARP Committee ResourcesAASA’s ARP committee convened during the COVID pandemic to be a voice from the field about districts were doing and needed in response to COVID.
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September 14, 2023
Âܲ·AVÊÓƵOutlines Position on Ed Bills Ahead of Committee Markup -
September 14, 2023
USED Issues Dear Colleague Letter on Supporting Students Experiencing HomelessnessUSED Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Programs Adam Schott wrote a Dear Colleague letter to Chief State School Officers with recommendations for the use of ARP funds to support students experiencing homelessness.
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September 12, 2023
Âܲ·AVÊÓƵJoins ASBO and NSBA in Letter on Health InsuranceÂܲ·AVÊÓƵjoined ASBO and NSBA in a joint letter responding to a recent proposal from HHS, DOL and Treasury.
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September 08, 2023
Town Hall Event on Personnel Shortages in Special Education -
September 08, 2023
Biden Administration Releases Proposed Changes to Overtime RuleEarlier this month, the Department of Labor released its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking altering the overtime pay regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
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August 31, 2023
Guest Post: Food - The Most Essential School SupplyThis guest blog post is brought to you by Laura Hatch, Senior Director of Policy & Partnerships at FoodCorps
Latest Advocacy & Policy Resources
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January 29, 2026
PEP Talk Episode 43: The State of Student Privacy & AIType:Podcast Topics: Advocacy & Policy, School Safety & Cybersecurity, Technology & AIOn this episode of PEP Talk: Kat Sturdevant catches up with Amelia Vance, founder and president of the Public Interest Privacy Center, to discuss recent developments on Capitol Hill related to student and child privacy bills and the role of AI in schools. -
November 20, 2025
PEP Talk Episode 42: Rethinking Special Education Dispute Resolution at IDEA’s 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’s 50th Anniversary. -
November 10, 2025
Rethinking Special Education Dispute Resolution at IDEA’s 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—one that too often diverts resources from classrooms to courtrooms.
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