/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.The Leading Edge BlogSchool NutritionSchool Staff ShortagesE-RateconnectivityerateAdvocacy & PolicyTechnology & AIed-techeducation technologyedtechaied techtechDistrict & School OperationsAccess & OpportunityaccessopportunityequityinclusiondiversityEducation FundingImmigrationToolkitStudent & Child PrivacyStudent PrivacyprivacyProtection of Pupil Rights AmendmentPPRAChild PrivacyFERPAStudent & Child Privacy CenterCOPPAFamily Educational Rights and Privacy ActSchool Safety & CybersecurityFinance & Budgetsurn:uuid:6eec4c19-4fe7-4813-b020-d496df8f1cfd/resources/blog/update--whole-milk-is-back-again The Leading Edge BlogSchool NutritionA new final rule clarifies that schools can serve whole milk at breakfast and lunch. Fri, 08 May 2026 13:25:25 Zurn:uuid:a052fa3f-26fa-4fad-a2f4-5bcbd47e8778/resources/blog/department-of-education-releases-final-rule-on-reimagining-and-improving-student-education The Leading Edge BlogSchool Staff ShortagesED 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. Wed, 06 May 2026 19:57:35 Zurn:uuid:c7418870-d846-4aef-90b8-28beb8129971/resources/blog/fcc-finalizes-new-e-rate-bidding-portal E-RateconnectivityerateThe Leading Edge BlogAdvocacy & PolicyTechnology & AIed-techeducation technologyedtechaied techtechWhile the portal, as adopted, reflects some of the changes �ܲ�AV��Ƶasked for, it still represents a redundant element of the application process that will only increase administrative burden for E-Rate applicants.Wed, 06 May 2026 17:58:15 Zurn:uuid:0bb57a58-9299-4eca-86c3-65c5567accda/resources/blog/aasa-sends-letter-to-house-on-farm-bill The Leading Edge BlogToday, �ܲ�AV��Ƶsent a letter to all members of the House of Representatives to share our thoughts on the Farm, Food and National Security Act (H.R. 7567) ahead of the floor vote.Wed, 29 Apr 2026 21:36:42 Zurn:uuid:5e496cfe-15ab-4d57-a754-138ab58bc930/resources/blog/how-changes-to-h.r.-1-affect-direct-certification-and-school-districts--recommendations-for-district-leaders The Leading Edge BlogSchool NutritionThe One, Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) included major changes to SNAP and Medicaid eligibility that are expected to affect direct certification data. This resource explains how declining direct certification numbers may impact CEP eligibility and FRPL enrollment in school districts, and best practices for district leaders to respond. Access it here.Thu, 23 Apr 2026 21:39:14 Zurn:uuid:72f3b430-7dd1-49a9-a933-292d8f380bdc/resources/blog/aasa-files-letter-in-response-to-fcc-s-proposed-new-e-rate-portal The Leading Edge BlogE-RateconnectivityerateAdvocacy & PolicyTechnology & AIed-techeducation technologyedtechaied techtechThe FCC is poised to approve a significant change to the E Rate program that would reshape the procurement process by requiring schools & libraries to conduct & document nearly every step of competitive bidding through a new, mandatory FCC online portal.Thu, 23 Apr 2026 19:35:35 Zurn:uuid:05a87c81-98a9-45e6-bc20-f0183d7b4c02/resources/blog/flexibility-unlocked--demystifying-schoolwide-fund-consolidation The Leading Edge BlogAdvocacy & PolicyDistrict & School OperationsCheck out the recording of our recent webinar on Schoolwide Fund Consolidation, with Tiffany Kesslar of the Bruman Group.Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:51:41 Zurn:uuid:2b1f5a09-df39-429e-a03a-5fb09a6ff8bc/resources/blog/doj-delays-website-accessibility-compliance-for-1-year The Leading Edge BlogAdvocacy & PolicyAccess & OpportunityaccessopportunityequityinclusiondiversityTechnology & AIed-techeducation technologyedtechaied techtechOn Friday, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) published an interim final rule modifying the compliance timeline for its ADA Title II website accessibility requirements.Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:33:35 Zurn:uuid:02537bdd-dccc-4652-b998-9c5cf607fedc/resources/blog/updated--ed-makes-further-moves-to-dismantle-the-department-of-education The Leading Edge BlogAdvocacy & PolicySecretary McMahon announced 6 new agreements with 4 agencies to “break up the federal education bureaucracy, ensure efficient delivery of funded programs, activities, & move closer to fulfilling the President’s promise to return education to the states."Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:29:54 Zurn:uuid:28fa8fb6-3065-4476-accd-4cd9a3ba5a36/resources/blog/aasa-urges-house-appropriations-committee-to-protect-education-investments-in-fy2027 Education FundingThe Leading Edge BlogThis week, �ܲ�AV��Ƶsubmitted written testimony to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) ahead of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 appropriations cycle.Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:05:59 Zurn:uuid:82e7b1b9-f69e-488d-a160-c18c6c1f4bbd/resources/blog/states-sue-usda-over-grant-terms---conditions School NutritionImmigrationThe Leading Edge BlogA group of 21 states has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), challenging grant terms that would require grantees to align with administration policies on gender, immigration, and diversity. Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:38:03 Zurn:uuid:404093de-3360-4402-9693-c1a55d6bc753/resources/blog/administration-releases-fy27-president-s-budget-request Education FundingThe Leading Edge BlogThis morning, the Administration released the President’s Budget Request for FY2027. Overall, the proposal for the Department of Education is very similar to the FY2026 request, with calls for funding cuts, block grants, and program eliminations—all of which Congress rejected in its final FY26 spending bill.Fri, 03 Apr 2026 17:52:25 Zurn:uuid:f3c5e72f-3ea3-4610-91fa-8467e8f7923b/resources/blog/education-technology-round-up The Leading Edge BlogStudent & Child PrivacyStudent PrivacyprivacyProtection of Pupil Rights AmendmentPPRAChild PrivacyFERPAStudent & Child Privacy CenterCOPPAFamily Educational Rights and Privacy ActAdvocacy & PolicyTechnology & AIed-techeducation technologyedtechaied techtechSchool Safety & Cybersecurity�ܲ�AV��Ƶis a proud member of the National Coalition for Technology in Education & Training. The coalition’s latest wrap up of all things education technology is inside.Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:51:26 Zurn:uuid:4b22f12e-b66e-4ed4-9f23-3fac2492395d/resources/blog/house-judiciary-committee-hearing-on-plyler The Leading Edge BlogImmigrationOn Wednesday, the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government held a hearing entitled “Immigration Policy by Court Order: The Adverse Effects of Plyler v. Doe.” �ܲ�AV��Ƶjoined 109 organizations in a statement for the record that emphasized the need to ensure all children have access to a high-quality public education and outlined how Plyler benefits immigrant children and the broader community. Fri, 20 Mar 2026 19:35:03 Zurn:uuid:0b3d866b-fbb7-4d86-8575-807f262ce044/resources/blog/aasa-sends-letter-expressing-concern-with-privacy-bills The Leading Edge BlogAdvocacy & PolicyStudent & Child PrivacyStudent PrivacyprivacyProtection of Pupil Rights AmendmentPPRAChild PrivacyFERPAStudent & Child Privacy CenterCOPPAFamily Educational Rights and Privacy ActSchool Safety & CybersecurityToday, �ܲ�AV��Ƶjoined forces with the Public Interest Privacy Center to send a letter to the House Energy and Commerce Committee ahead of its mark up today.Thu, 05 Mar 2026 15:28:40 Zurn:uuid:08f75090-9ac4-488f-a4c3-b69b0698a65d/resources/blog/aasa-files-amicus-in-anoka-hennepin-case The Leading Edge BlogAdvocacy & PolicyDistrict & School Operations�ܲ�AV��Ƶjoined the National School Attorneys Association, ASBO International and the COSSBA in an amicus brief this week before the U.S. Supreme Court.Tue, 03 Mar 2026 18:13:39 Zurn:uuid:33595156-a953-443a-86f0-4608a8c13831/resources/blog/aasa-joins-ed-orgs-to-comment-on-professional-student-and-degree-definitions The Leading Edge Blog�ܲ�AV��Ƶjoined 12 other education organizations to submit comments on a proposed rule from the Department of Education to amend the regulations for the Federal student loan programs to implement the changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.Tue, 03 Mar 2026 17:27:01 Zurn:uuid:b3a36602-8bb1-484c-88ce-68996d909e76/resources/blog/ed-issues-guidance-on-strategic-staffing The Leading Edge BlogSchool Staff ShortagesEducation FundingThe U.S. Department of Education issued guidance through a Dear Colleague letter addressing how grantees can use Title II, Part A funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to support “innovative teacher workforce strategies.” Mon, 02 Mar 2026 23:37:16 Zurn:uuid:6f02e8f9-45e5-4bcd-a8da-520fe20a2230/resources/blog/iaa-update The Leading Edge BlogAdvocacy & PolicyDistrict & School OperationsOn February 23, the U.S. Department of Education announced two additional Interagency Agreements (IAAs).Tue, 24 Feb 2026 16:23:36 Zurn:uuid:dfc0c7b0-3499-41d1-867d-6a7cd5cf6410/resources/blog/aasa-urges-congress-to-reinstate-protections-for-sensitive-locations The Leading Edge BlogSchool Staff ShortagesYesterday, �ܲ�AV��Ƶsent a letter to Congress urging them to include policy provisions that reinstate protections for sensitive locations and prohibit immigration enforcement on or near school grounds as part of the FY2026 Department of Homeland Security legislation.Thu, 12 Feb 2026 17:00:07 Zurn:uuid:8f8ddea6-6898-4e0c-94e5-0fa87e7e0d2f/resources/blog/new-dear-colleague-letters-on-title-i-and-school-prayer The Leading Edge Blog�ܲ�AV��Ƶis sharing information about two recent pieces of guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Education. Fri, 06 Feb 2026 17:06:45 Zurn:uuid:e37a2166-fc0b-4161-a9aa-ffd23eedb529/resources/blog/congress-passes-bipartisan--bicameral-fy26-lhhs-proposal The Leading Edge BlogEducation FundingAdvocacy & PolicyFinance & BudgetsYesterday, Congress passed a bipartisan, bicameral FY26 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education funding package, providing level funding (and some small increases) for education programs. Wed, 04 Feb 2026 17:41:05 Zurn:uuid:c9d76fa7-b5f5-4eb3-9804-1289d21b8e05/resources/blog/the-advocate--advocacy-sessions-at-nce The Leading Edge BlogAASA’s advocacy team has many great sessions planned to discuss how federal actions are impacting local districts. From vouchers to strengthening special education systems – there’s a wide range of content for those interested in how the federal government intersects with K-12 issues.Mon, 02 Feb 2026 20:43:24 Zurn:uuid:631cff52-1f1b-4d1b-bc5a-4a520491afc6/resources/blog/ed-makes-further-moves-to-dismantle-the-department-of-education The Leading Edge BlogAdvocacy & PolicySecretary McMahon announced 6 new agreements with 4 agencies to “break up the federal education bureaucracy, ensure efficient delivery of funded programs, activities, & move closer to fulfilling the President’s promise to return education to the states."Tue, 18 Nov 2025 21:17:25 Zurn:uuid:9d69720b-0ff1-4e3b-b1dc-2cf18d34e6e0/resources/blog/aasa-releases-guide-for-school-leaders-on-artificial-intelligence The Leading Edge BlogToolkitTechnology & AIed-techeducation technologyedtechaied techtechStudent & Child PrivacyStudent PrivacyprivacyProtection of Pupil Rights AmendmentPPRAChild PrivacyFERPAStudent & Child Privacy CenterCOPPAFamily Educational Rights and Privacy Act�ܲ�AV��Ƶpartnered with four education organizations to develop a guide for school leaders on the basics of AI in education. Wed, 05 Jul 2023 16:34:11 Z