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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May 06, 2026
FCC Finalizes New E Rate Bidding PortalWhile the portal, as adopted, reflects some of the changes 91制片 asked for, it still represents a redundant element of the application process that will only increase administrative burden for E-Rate applicants.
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April 29, 2026
91制片 Sends Letter to House on Farm BillToday, 91制片 sent 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.
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April 23, 2026
How Changes to H.R. 1 Affect Direct Certification and School Districts: Recommendations for District LeadersThe 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.
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April 23, 2026
91制片 Files Letter in Response to FCC鈥檚 Proposed New E-Rate PortalThe 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.
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April 22, 2026
Flexibility Unlocked: Demystifying Schoolwide Fund ConsolidationCheck out the recording of our recent webinar on Schoolwide Fund Consolidation, with Tiffany Kesslar of the Bruman Group.
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April 17, 2026
DOJ Delays Website Accessibility Compliance for 1 YearOn 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.
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April 17, 2026
UPDATED: ED Makes Further Moves To Dismantle the Department of EducationSecretary McMahon announced 6 new agreements with 4 agencies to 鈥渂reak up the federal education bureaucracy, ensure efficient delivery of funded programs, activities, & move closer to fulfilling the President鈥檚 promise to return education to the states."
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April 17, 2026
91制片 Urges House Appropriations Committee to Protect Education Investments in FY2027This week, 91制片 submitted 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.
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April 13, 2026
States Sue USDA Over Grant Terms & ConditionsA 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.
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April 03, 2026
Administration Releases FY27 President鈥檚 Budget RequestThis morning, the Administration released the President鈥檚 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鈥攁ll of which Congress rejected in its final FY26 spending bill.
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March 27, 2026
Education Technology Round Up91制片 is a proud member of the National Coalition for Technology in Education & Training. The coalition鈥檚 latest wrap up of all things education technology is inside.
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March 20, 2026
House Judiciary Committee Hearing on PlylerOn Wednesday, the House Judiciary Committee鈥檚 Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government held a hearing entitled 鈥淚mmigration Policy by Court Order: The Adverse Effects of Plyler v. Doe.鈥 91制片 joined 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.
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March 05, 2026
91制片 Sends Letter Expressing Concern with Privacy BillsToday, 91制片 joined forces with the Public Interest Privacy Center to send a letter to the House Energy and Commerce Committee ahead of its mark up today.
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March 03, 2026
91制片 Files Amicus in Anoka-Hennepin Case91制片 joined the National School Attorneys Association, ASBO International and the COSSBA in an amicus brief this week before the U.S. Supreme Court.
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March 03, 2026
91制片 Joins Ed Orgs to Comment on Professional Student and Degree Definitions91制片 joined 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.

Latest Advocacy & Policy Resources
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July 30, 2026
America's Youth AI Festival: A Student-Led AI PolicyType:Policy/Regulations Topics: Advocacy & Policy, Technology & AIAmerica's Youth AI Festival: students from across the country gathered in Boston to shape the nation's first student-led AI policy for schools. -
July 23, 2026
PEP Talk Episode 47: An E-Rate EmergencyType:Podcast Topics: Advocacy & Policy, Finance & Budgets, Technology & AIOn this episode of PEP Talk: Kat Sturdevant sits down with Noelle Ellerson Ng, Chief Advocacy & Governance Officer about serious concerns for the future of the E-Rate program, and what that means for districts. -
June 30, 2026
PEP Talk Episode 46: The Budgetary Impact of Health Care Costs on School DistrictsType:Podcast Topics: Advocacy & Policy, District & School Operations, Finance & Budgets, Health & Wellnessn this episode of PEP Talk: Kat Sturdevant explores the findings of a new report, "Rising Premiums, Falling Opportunities: The Budgetary Impact of Health Care Costs on School Districts," with Sasha Pudelski, 91制片 and Elleka Yost, ASBO International.
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