<?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, 91ÖÆƬ'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>Advocacy &amp; Policy</category><category>District &amp; School Operations</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><category>Title IX</category><category>Title Nine</category><category>Title 9</category><category>School Staff Shortages</category><category>Finance &amp; Budgets</category><category>Education Funding</category><category>Immigration</category><category>School Climate &amp; Culture</category><a10:link rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" href="/feeds/aasa-blogs" /><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>91ÖÆƬ Officers Meet with FCC Chairman and Commissioners</title><description>As part of this week’s legislative advocacy conference, 91ÖÆƬ Officers 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>91ÖÆƬ Comments on OMB’s New Proposed Funding Rules</title><description>91ÖÆƬ along 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>91ÖÆƬ Joins SHLB and EdLiNC in Initial Meetings to Push Back on FCC Proposal to End E-Rate</title><description>91ÖÆƬ was 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>91ÖÆƬ Urges House Appropriations Committee to Oppose FY27 Education Funding Bill</title><description>Ahead of today's markup, 91ÖÆƬ sent 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:69289a73-c202-4f08-bf0a-46b083d96c22</guid><link>/resources/blog/second-lady-usha-vance-introduces-the-2026-summer-reading-challenge</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><category>School Climate &amp; Culture</category><title>Second Lady Usha Vance Introduces the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge</title><description>Second Lady Usha Vance’s 2026 Summer Reading Challenge is officially live for your communities to participate. </description><pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2026 20:22:52 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:48c4d45f-dc2b-40a3-ad9c-6319317b97a4</guid><link>/resources/blog/aasa-sends-letter-to-senate-on-2026-farm-bill</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><title>91ÖÆƬ Sends Letter to Senate on 2026 Farm Bill</title><description>Yesterday, 91ÖÆƬ joined the Association of School Business Officials, International (ASBO) and the National Rural Education Association (NREA) in a letter to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Nutrition outlining our priorities for the 2026 Senate Farm Bill. </description><pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 21:25:08 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:7efc2284-e6ed-41c5-9f91-b71973b4a59e</guid><link>/resources/blog/new-proposed-omb-rules-would-impact-leas</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><title>New Proposed OMB Rules Would Impact LEAs</title><description>The OMB has proposed new revisions to the Uniform Grants Guidance, which dictates the terms under which federal awards must be managed, as well as how and when they can be granted and rescinded. These changes will impact LEAs as well as many other recipients of federal funding.</description><pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 13:46:06 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:ebbbf849-d311-4556-bcfd-9e4c84e460fc</guid><link>/resources/blog/daca-renewals-are-delayed---what-district-leaders-should-know</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><category>Immigration</category><title>DACA Renewals Are Delayed – What District Leaders Should Know</title><description>The latest data indicates that about 20,000 educators across the country have work authorization through the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program. Current delays in renewals could impact school districts’ ability to maintain their staff.</description><pubDate>Fri, 29 May 2026 20:59:54 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:fb878693-b220-4062-85a1-61b63b495ead</guid><link>/resources/blog/cross-post--how-rising-diesel-costs-are-squeezing-district-budgets</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>Cross Post: How Rising Diesel Costs Are Squeezing District Budgets</title><description>This blog post was co-written by 91ÖÆƬ’s Noelle Ellerson Ng with ASBO’s Elleka Yost, another look at the organizations’ recent joint survey to gauge the impact of diesel costs on district budgets.</description><pubDate>Wed, 27 May 2026 20:12:25 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:d09dcd4b-873f-43c1-9b1f-cebc82e9ff09</guid><link>/resources/blog/hhs-issues-proposed-rule-to-rescind-head-start-wage-requirements</link><a10:author><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:author><category>The Leading Edge Blog</category><title>HHS Issues Proposed Rule to Rescind Head Start Wage Requirements</title><description>HHS has issued a proposed rule to eliminate requirements for increased wages and benefits for Head Start staff. These requirements were established in a 2024 regulation under the Biden Administration but did not go into effect until 2028 or later.</description><pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2026 21:17:54 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>