<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><rss xmlns:a10="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title>The Leading Edge Blog</title><link>/</link><description>The Leading Edge, AASA's policy &amp; advocacy blog, provides up-to-date information about activities in Washington, D.C. and Capitol Hill that affect you and your school district.</description><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><category>Technology &amp; AI</category><category>ed-tech</category><category>education technology</category><category>edtech</category><category>ai</category><category>ed tech</category><category>tech</category><category>Education Funding</category><category>Student &amp; Child Privacy</category><category>Student Privacy</category><category>privacy</category><category>Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment</category><category>PPRA</category><category>Child Privacy</category><category>FERPA</category><category>Student &amp; Child Privacy Center</category><category>COPPA</category><category>Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act</category><category>Advocacy &amp; Policy</category><category>School Safety &amp; Cybersecurity</category><category>District &amp; School Operations</category><category>E-Rate</category><category>connectivity</category><category>erate</category><category>Title IX</category><category>Title Nine</category><category>Title 9</category><category>School Staff Shortages</category><category>Finance &amp; Budgets</category><category>Immigration</category><a10:link rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" href="/feeds/aasa-blogs" /><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:6d6b01f0-450b-4c14-ba45-4e11bb446bf8</guid><link>/resources/blog/aasa-cosn-toolkit--communicating-the-value-of-education-technology</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><category>Technology &amp; AI</category><category>ed-tech</category><category>education technology</category><category>edtech</category><category>ai</category><category>ed tech</category><category>tech</category><title>AASA/CoSN Toolkit: Communicating the Value of Education Technology</title><description>This blog post is penned in coordination with Keith R. Kreuger, CEO, CoSN and is cross posted to the CoSN website.</description><pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 16:32:26 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:30272ac2-813e-46e8-b72e-36f118801f06</guid><link>/resources/blog/fy2027-appropriations-update</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><category>Education Funding</category><title>FY2027 Appropriations Update</title><description>Congress has left Washington for August recess. Here's where things stand for FY27. </description><pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 14:42:07 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:7b08b573-0190-412f-9b4c-aa4ada9b465e</guid><link>/resources/blog/hhs-releases-proposed-rule-to-rewrite-head-start-standards</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><title>HHS Releases Proposed Rule to Rewrite Head Start Standards</title><description>The Department of Health and Human Services has released a proposed rule to amend the Head Start Program Performance Standards. The rule represents the most significant changes proposed in the program’s 61-year history.</description><pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:18:30 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:f92fd060-391b-437f-b55d-25cfcbcbb16c</guid><link>/resources/blog/senate-commerce-committee-advances-kids--online-safety-legislation</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><category>Student &amp; Child Privacy</category><category>Student Privacy</category><category>privacy</category><category>Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment</category><category>PPRA</category><category>Child Privacy</category><category>FERPA</category><category>Student &amp; Child Privacy Center</category><category>COPPA</category><category>Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act</category><category>Advocacy &amp; Policy</category><category>School Safety &amp; Cybersecurity</category><title>Senate Commerce Committee Advances Kids’ Online Safety Legislation</title><description>The Senate Commerce Committee today held a hearing and markup on a series of bills related to student data and privacy. We sent a letter, in coordination with the Public Interest Privacy Center (PIPC), to the committee ahead of the hearing.</description><pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 19:01:02 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:b55842fb-b374-44fd-a3af-6e245c464b54</guid><link>/resources/blog/senate-help-committee-passes-several-k-12-bills</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><title>Senate HELP Committee Passes Several K-12 Bills</title><description>On July 30th, the Senate HELP committee held its first significant mark-up of K-12 bills this Congress. Âܲ·AVÊÓƵsent a letter outlining its positions on the bills and amendments under consideration, which are summarized below.</description><pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 16:05:08 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:97d46cd4-126a-4a0a-9d16-ff4e4b243d7a</guid><link>/resources/blog/aasa-leads-letter-to-treasury-on-fstc-program-implementation</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><title>Âܲ·AVÊÓƵLeads Letter to Treasury on FSTC Program Implementation</title><description>As the U.S. Department of Treasury develops proposed regulations for the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC) program, Âܲ·AVÊÓƵled a coalition of prominent public education organizations in submitting recommendations designed to strengthen implementation and expand opportunities for public school students and school districts in opt-in states.</description><pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 18:27:28 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:50475781-0e7d-4dc4-8939-3ef60c2c2a5b</guid><link>/resources/blog/ed-removes-disparate-impact-regulations</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><category>Advocacy &amp; Policy</category><category>District &amp; School Operations</category><title>ED Removes Disparate Impact Regulations</title><description>On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Education announced it would be removing regulations that had been in place for over 60 years that recognized discrimination can occur through the effects of a policy, not just intent.</description><pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 16:22:05 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:a68f02fb-b7e9-4dfe-ba1b-ad844a402b61</guid><link>/resources/blog/dhs-releases-new-public-charge-rule</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><title>DHS Releases New Public Charge Rule</title><description>The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released a final regulation on public charge that could penalize noncitizens who use income-based public benefit programs such as school meals, SNAP and Medicaid. </description><pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 17:57:47 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:f5755c66-4c6c-4e17-9f38-2782b19fa65e</guid><link>/resources/blog/gao-report-findings-on-special-education---what-congress-can-do</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><title>GAO Report Findings on Special Education &amp; What Congress Can Do</title><description>Last week, the Government Accountability Office published a report analyzing why more students with disabilities are being educated in general education settings. Nationally, the number of students with disabilities in the general education classroom for at least 40% of their day increased by 25% over 10 years. The largest increase came from students with disabilities in gen ed for at least 80% of their day.</description><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:33:42 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:fe710ae4-fe9e-45e6-bda9-2077f2079512</guid><link>/resources/blog/arkansas-latest-state-to-receive-esea-waiver</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><title>Arkansas Latest State to Receive ESEA Waiver</title><description>On July 7, ED approved Arkansas for a Sec. 8401 waiver under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, including some flexibility that other States have not yet received, as well as for Ed-Flex authority.</description><pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 18:03:52 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:892d00f6-2053-4362-9f51-6e51ac3df645</guid><link>/resources/blog/education-committee-marks-up-legislation-to-codify-ed-iaas</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><category>Advocacy &amp; Policy</category><category>District &amp; School Operations</category><title>Education Committee Marks Up Legislation to Codify ED IAAs</title><description>On Wednesday, the House Education and Workforce Committee passed a series of bills meant to codify many of the Inter Agency Agreements (IAAs) announced by the U.S. Department of Education over the past year.</description><pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2026 20:00:54 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:78db40fe-e5f9-4f9b-9c0b-f72107807e00</guid><link>/resources/blog/aasa-officers-meet-with-fcc-chairman-and-commissioners</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><category>E-Rate</category><category>connectivity</category><category>erate</category><category>Advocacy &amp; Policy</category><category>Technology &amp; AI</category><category>ed-tech</category><category>education technology</category><category>edtech</category><category>ai</category><category>ed tech</category><category>tech</category><title>Âܲ·AVÊÓƵOfficers Meet with FCC Chairman and Commissioners</title><description>As part of this week’s legislative advocacy conference, Âܲ·AVÊÓƵOfficers LaTonya M. Goffney, Jennifer Kelsall and David Law met with FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, and Krista Snell (Chief of Staff for Commissioner Trusty).</description><pubDate>Mon, 13 Jul 2026 12:56:37 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:3be9aeed-93df-4d34-9ff8-f208a74e87f9</guid><link>/resources/blog/ed-announces-new-sexual-misconduct-and-title-ix-enforcement-initiative</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><category>Title IX</category><category>Title Nine</category><category>Title 9</category><category>Advocacy &amp; Policy</category><title>ED Announces New Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Enforcement Initiative</title><description>The U.S. Department of Education has announced a new national K-12 enforcement initiative focused on preventing sexual misconduct in schools and addressing the practice commonly known as "passing the trash."</description><pubDate>Fri, 10 Jul 2026 15:35:45 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:0a37d03a-11e7-487c-a91c-62e343509cf3</guid><link>/resources/blog/aasa-comments-on-omb-s-new-proposed-funding-rules</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><category>Finance &amp; Budgets</category><category>Advocacy &amp; Policy</category><title>Âܲ·AVÊÓƵComments on OMB’s New Proposed Funding Rules</title><description>Âܲ·AVÊÓƵalong with ASBO International and AESA have submitted comments to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) expressing serious concerns about proposed changes to the Uniform Grants Guidance.</description><pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:10:21 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:025d7d34-ae89-43af-84ed-4f58d90a67b1</guid><link>/resources/blog/fcc-votes-to-consider-rule-to-end-e-rate--how-you-can-advocate</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><category>Advocacy &amp; Policy</category><category>E-Rate</category><category>connectivity</category><category>erate</category><category>Technology &amp; AI</category><category>ed-tech</category><category>education technology</category><category>edtech</category><category>ai</category><category>ed tech</category><category>tech</category><title>FCC Votes to Consider Rule to End E-Rate: How You Can Advocate</title><description>Last week the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that raises serious concerns for the future of the E-Rate program.</description><pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2026 18:36:54 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:e376ce70-47a3-4229-82bd-4c4505f59261</guid><link>/resources/blog/update--department-of-education-releases-final-rule-on-reimagining-and-improving-student-education</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><category>School Staff Shortages</category><title>UPDATE: Department of Education Final Rule on Reimagining and Improving Student Education</title><description>ED has released its Reimagining and Improving Student Education—Federal Student Loan Program Final Regulations. This final rule codifies the higher education provisions that Congress included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which established new aggregate lifetime loan limits for students and restructured loan repayment systems. Here’s what K-12 leaders should be aware of. </description><pubDate>Fri, 26 Jun 2026 12:53:35 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:8436299d-b9d8-499d-84d0-111b763d3d3a</guid><link>/resources/blog/indiana-becomes-third-state-approved-for-esea-waiver</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><title>Indiana Becomes Third State Approved for ESEA Waiver</title><description>This week, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) approved a waiver for Indiana under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Indiana joins two other States who have been approved for similar waivers, Louisiana and Iowa, but Indiana’s waiver includes the broadest flexibility that ED has approved so far.</description><pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2026 17:50:54 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:b249777e-ade1-4b0a-91df-7cc2156b0ba1</guid><link>/resources/blog/aasa-joins-shlb-edlinc-in-initial-meetings-to-pushback-on-fcc-proposal-to-end-e-rate</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><category>E-Rate</category><category>connectivity</category><category>erate</category><category>Advocacy &amp; Policy</category><category>Technology &amp; AI</category><category>ed-tech</category><category>education technology</category><category>edtech</category><category>ai</category><category>ed tech</category><category>tech</category><category>District &amp; School Operations</category><title>Âܲ·AVÊÓƵJoins SHLB and EdLiNC in Initial Meetings to Push Back on FCC Proposal to End E-Rate</title><description>Âܲ·AVÊÓƵwas one of a handful of groups that met with the offices of all 3 FCC commissioners over the last week to provide initial feedback on the FCC proposal that would, among other things, consider ending the program and limiting access to rural schools.</description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 20:37:23 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:25bd186f-ada0-44b8-8111-712587e8c323</guid><link>/resources/blog/osers-and-ocr-will-move-out-of-ed</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><category>Education Funding</category><category>Advocacy &amp; Policy</category><category>District &amp; School Operations</category><title>OSERS and OCR Will Move Out of ED</title><description>Today, the U.S. Department of Education announced two new interagency agreements that would move key education offices and functions outside of ED. </description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 18:13:09 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:9a9270ed-8906-44b2-8556-0fbf3f45ee2b</guid><link>/resources/blog/treasury-outlines-sgo-parameters-expected-in-regulations</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><category>Advocacy &amp; Policy</category><category>District &amp; School Operations</category><category>Finance &amp; Budgets</category><title>Treasury Outlines SGO Parameters Expected in Regulations</title><description>Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Treasury held an event where they previewed forthcoming Treasury and IRS guidance for the implementation of the new federal scholarship tax credit program created in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.</description><pubDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2026 21:30:13 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:c2dca14f-dc98-492b-b170-d82007d7247e</guid><link>/resources/blog/fcc-rulemaking-puts-e-rate-at-risk</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><category>E-Rate</category><category>connectivity</category><category>erate</category><category>Advocacy &amp; Policy</category><category>Technology &amp; AI</category><category>ed-tech</category><category>education technology</category><category>edtech</category><category>ai</category><category>ed tech</category><category>tech</category><title>FCC Rulemaking Puts E-Rate at Risk</title><description>Last Friday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that raises serious concerns for the future of the E-Rate program.</description><pubDate>Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:26:17 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:67ab9d3c-bde4-4be4-ad77-79bf8acac24f</guid><link>/resources/blog/u.s.-district-court-blocks-h-1b-visa-fee</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><category>Immigration</category><title>U.S. District Court Blocks H-1B Visa Fee</title><description>A U.S. district court has blocked the Trump Administration’s $100,000 fees for the H-1B visa program in a lawsuit that was filed by 20 state attorneys general.</description><pubDate>Tue, 09 Jun 2026 17:07:10 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:d9e7a8d6-4255-45f0-8cbc-e193feb8617b</guid><link>/resources/blog/aasa-urges-house-appropriations-committee-to-oppose-fy27-education-funding-bill</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><category>Education Funding</category><title>Âܲ·AVÊÓƵUrges House Appropriations Committee to Oppose FY27 Education Funding Bill</title><description>Ahead of today's markup, Âܲ·AVÊÓƵsent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee urging members to oppose the FY2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Services proposal that includes drastic cuts for K-12 education. </description><pubDate>Tue, 09 Jun 2026 13:44:29 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:3a45bfac-3076-4939-ac2e-6045f1a25d8e</guid><link>/resources/blog/house-subcommittee-advances-fy27-education-funding-proposal</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><title>House Subcommittee Advances FY27 Education Funding Proposal</title><description>This morning, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies advanced its Fiscal Year 2027 funding proposal. </description><pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 17:18:02 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:a3eaa983-4ae2-4beb-8ee9-9bec9b227fb7</guid><link>/resources/blog/(updated)-administration-announces-changes-to-h-1b-visa-program</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><category>Immigration</category><title>UPDATE: Administration Announces Changes to H-1B Visa Program</title><description>In September, the Trump Administration announced changes to the H-1B visa program, which allows employers to temporarily hire foreign workers for specialty occupation positions. Many school districts use this program to fill critical vacancies, especially in rural areas where staff shortages are more acute.</description><pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2025 16:21:08 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item></channel></rss>