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
-
November 16, 2022
Congress Asks Cardona for Late Liquidation GuidanceThis week, members of Congress sent a letter to Secretary Cardona urging the Department to issue guidance on how school districts can utilize late liquidation flexibility under the American Rescue Plan.
-
November 14, 2022
Cardona Issues New Guidance on Prioritizing Dual Enrollment, Apprenticeships, with ARP FundsThe U.S. Department of Education released new guidance that encourages schools to use unspent COVID relief money to expand various career options for students.
-
November 03, 2022
The Advocate November 2022: School Transportation ResourcesIn the last year, Âܲ·AVÊÓÆµhas stepped in to provide federal policy support to the National Association for Pupil Transportation.
-
November 03, 2022
CDC Releases Monkeypox Toolkit for Schools and Early Care and Education ProgramsThe CDC has released a new resource for administrators and staff members of schools and early care and education programs related to monkeypox.
-
October 28, 2022
Âܲ·AVÊÓÆµJoins 64 Organizations to Ask for Funding for Emergency Connectivity FundAs part of our ongoing advocacy around connectivity, Âܲ·AVÊÓÆµjoined 64 other organizations in a letter calling for additional funding for the emergency connectivity fund.
-
October 28, 2022
Dept of Energy Announces $80M in Grants for School Energy ProjectsOn Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Energy announced more than $80M, the first tranche of funding in a $500M investment, to make clean energy improvements in K-12 public schools.
-
September 16, 2022
Loan Forgiveness for Educators Act of 2022On Friday, September 16, Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) and Representatives Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM) and Jahana Hayes (D-CT) introduced the AASA-endorsed Loan Forgiveness for Educators Act.
-
September 15, 2022
ED Releases Guidance on $1b in Title IV-A Funding from BSCAToday, the U.S. Department of Education released a Dear Colleague letter to States outlining the parameters for the $1 billion in ESEA Title IV-A funding.
-
September 14, 2022
ED Letter on Academic Assessment DataOn September 13, U.S. Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona, sent a Dear Colleague letter to State education leaders.
-
September 08, 2022
Âܲ·AVÊÓÆµSubmits Comments on New Proposed Title IX RegulationsToday, Âܲ·AVÊÓÆµsent comments to the U.S. Department of Education on the revised Title IX regulations that were proposed in June.
-
September 01, 2022
The Advocate September 2022Your Âܲ·AVÊÓÆµlobbyists live and breathe Washington headlines all day and night.
-
August 31, 2022
ED and DOL Letter on Addressing School Staff ShortagesOn August 31, Department of Education (ED) Secretary Miguel Cardona and Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary Marty Walsh sent a letter to state and local education and workforce leaders.
-
August 25, 2022
Hundreds of District Leaders Sign Letter to Cardona Urging Late Liquidation FlexibilityOn Monday, almost 700 district leaders from 47 states sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona urging the Department to immediately issue guidance that will clarify how much additional time districts can have to spend ARP funding
-
August 24, 2022
NASSP Principal Recovery Network Releases Guide to RecoveryFounded in April 2019, the NASSP Principal Recovery Network (PRN) is a national network of current and former school leaders who have experienced gun violence tragedies in their buildings.
-
August 03, 2022
Appropriations UpdateOn July 28, the Senate Appropriations Committee released its proposed Democratic fiscal year (FY) 2023 funding bills.
Latest Advocacy & Policy Resources
-
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’s 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.
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.