/The Leading Edge, 91��Ƭ'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 BlogImmigrationAdvocacy & PolicyDistrict & School OperationsTechnology & AIed-techeducation technologyedtechaied techtechSchool Safety & CybersecuritySchool NutritionSchool Staff ShortagesE-RateconnectivityerateAccess & OpportunityaccessopportunityequityinclusiondiversityEducation FundingToolkitStudent & Child PrivacyStudent PrivacyprivacyProtection of Pupil Rights AmendmentPPRAChild PrivacyFERPAStudent & Child Privacy CenterCOPPAFamily Educational Rights and Privacy Acturn:uuid:ebbbf849-d311-4556-bcfd-9e4c84e460fc/resources/blog/daca-renewals-are-delayed---what-district-leaders-should-know The Leading Edge BlogImmigrationThe 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.Fri, 29 May 2026 20:59:54 Zurn:uuid:fb878693-b220-4062-85a1-61b63b495ead/resources/blog/cross-post--how-rising-diesel-costs-are-squeezing-district-budgets The Leading Edge BlogAdvocacy & PolicyDistrict & School OperationsThis blog post was co-written by 91��Ƭ’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.Wed, 27 May 2026 20:12:25 Zurn:uuid:d09dcd4b-873f-43c1-9b1f-cebc82e9ff09/resources/blog/hhs-issues-proposed-rule-to-rescind-head-start-wage-requirements The Leading Edge BlogHHS 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.Tue, 26 May 2026 21:17:54 Zurn:uuid:d0889f91-8987-40d2-bd15-c5aa361bd2eb/resources/blog/surgeon-general-issues-advisory-on-screen-time The Leading Edge BlogTechnology & AIed-techeducation technologyedtechaied techtechAdvocacy & PolicyEarlier this week the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a new advisory on children’s screen use. Tue, 26 May 2026 12:43:40 Zurn:uuid:f78f5f3d-e74c-4da9-b3cb-76504254febf/resources/blog/new-department-of-education-guidance-emphasize-local-flexibility The Leading Edge BlogAdvocacy & PolicyDistrict & School OperationsThe U.S. Department of Education (ED) issued two new “Dear Colleague” letters on Tuesday, emphasizing existing funding flexibility in Title V of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).Thu, 21 May 2026 20:33:43 Zurn:uuid:f3fad7df-aa9d-41dd-aed9-ed03bcb328f2/resources/blog/aasa-joins-coalition-letter-on-cybersecurity-and-infrastructure-protection The Leading Edge BlogSchool Safety & CybersecurityAdvocacy & Policy91��Ƭ joined 14 other national education and technology associations in a letter to Capitol Hill.Mon, 18 May 2026 19:07:39 Zurn:uuid:d6f1552a-d600-4bf7-98ca-eae6dfacdc6e/resources/blog/latest-aasa-survey-looks-at-impact-of-rising-diesel-costs-on-district-budgets The Leading Edge BlogAdvocacy & PolicyDistrict & School OperationsEarlier this month, 91��Ƭ partnered with the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) and National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) to gauge how rising diesel costs are impacting school district budgets.Mon, 18 May 2026 18:00:54 Zurn: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 91��Ƭ asked 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, 91��Ƭ 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.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, 91��Ƭ 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.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 & Cybersecurity91��Ƭ is 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.” 91��Ƭ 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. 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, 91��Ƭ 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.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 Operations91��Ƭ joined 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: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 Act91��Ƭ partnered 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