The Leading Edge: Policy & Advocacy Blog
The Leading Edge, 91制片'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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December 12, 2023
Guest Post: Making the Most of Your Summer Fun(ds)鈥� Planning Summer Learning that Works for EducatorsThis is the seventh installment of the Summer Funds series with 91制片 President Gladys Cruz.
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December 08, 2023
91制片 Endorses New Bipartisan School Safety Legislation91制片 was excited to help craft and endorse new bipartisan school safety legislation called the Preparing Leaders to Assess Needs (PLAN) for School Safety Act (H.R. 6613).
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December 06, 2023
The Advocate December 2023: Critical Funding for Rural SchoolsThis month, we are focusing on two federal programs that are critical for rural schools across the country: Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) and the Secure Rural Schools (SRS).
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November 30, 2023
HHS Releases Proposed Rule on Head Start Staff Compensation, Benefits and MoreLast week, HHS released a proposed rule on numerous aspects of Head Start. The headline of the rule is a significant increase to staff compensation.
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November 30, 2023
New Education Impact ReportOn November 30, 2023, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative shared an impact report that looks back on eight years of CZI鈥檚 work in education.
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November 30, 2023
COVID-19 Tests Available for SchoolsEarlier this week, USED announced a partnership with the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide free COVID-19 tests to school districts.
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November 16, 2023
Department of Education Releases 2020-21 Civil Rights DataThis week, the Department of Education released the new federal civil rights data for the 2020-2021 school year. Officials have cautioned against comparing this year鈥檚 data to previous reports, since 2020-2021 was the first year coming out of the pandemic school closures.
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November 15, 2023
91制片 Supports Reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools Program91制片 joined AESA, NREA and NREAC in a joint letter to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
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November 15, 2023
91制片 Releases Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) Survey ReportToday, your Advocacy team released the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) Survey Report.
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November 15, 2023
Learn Without Limits: Fully Launched!FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced her three-part Learn Without Limits initiative over the summer.
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November 15, 2023
FY2024: Avoiding a Shutdown But Still Not FundedIn a whirlwind of activity on Tuesday, the House passed (in a bipartisan manner) a continuing resolution (CR) that extends government funding at current levels for four appropriations bills through January 18 and for the other eight through February 2.
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November 14, 2023
91制片 Joins Six National Organizations in Joint Letter Opposing House FY24 Funding Bill91制片 joined six national education associations in a letter to the House of Representatives expressing STRONG OPPOSITION to the Republican FY24 funding proposal.
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November 14, 2023
USED Announces New Tools to Tackle Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and Related Forms of Discrimination and BiasUSED released new tools today.
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November 09, 2023
ESSER in Action in Iowa: Dial M for Marshalltown91制片, is launching a series, ESSER in Action, highlighting how COVID-19 relief funds are making an impact across the country.
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November 09, 2023
Guest Post: Making the Most of Your Summer Fun(ds)鈥� Putting Together the Pieces of Your Summer Program PuzzleThis is the sixth installment of the Summer Funds series with 91制片 President Gladys Cruz.
Latest Advocacy & Policy Resources
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April 17, 2026
Flexibility Unlocked: Demystifying Schoolwide Fund ConsolidationType:Webinar Recording Topics: Advocacy & PolicyThis one-hour session broke down the statutory and regulatory framework for schoolwide fund consolidation, clarified what flexibility districts actually gain, and outlined practical steps to determine whether consolidation is right for your district. -
March 26, 2026
PEP Talk Episode 44: The ED Interagency AgreementsType:Podcast Topics: Advocacy & Policy, District & School Operations, Finance & BudgetsOn this episode of PEP Talk: Kat Sturdevant speaks with Tiffany Kessler, partner at The Bruman Group about the Interagency Agreements at ED; what programs are moving, what are the challenges and benefits, and what superintendents need to plan for. -
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.
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