The Leading Edge: Policy & Advocacy Blog
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.
Topics include new or proposed regulations and federal policies, federal funding updates and opportunities, advocacy resources and more.
Latest Posts
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June 03, 2022
New ED-Commissioned Study on ESEA Provisions that Protect StudentsEarlier today, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) published a study concerning requirements under Section 8546 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) for states and schools to protect students from the consequences of assisting – or “aiding and abetting” – school employees in obtaining a new job if they are known or believed with probable cause to have engaged in sexual misconduct with a student or minor.
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June 03, 2022
The Advocate June 2022May ended on a deeply painful note because of the horrific gun violence in Buffalo and Uvalde.
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June 03, 2022
AASA School and Gun Safety PolicyAASA has maintained a consistent position that comprehensive federal policy is required to prevent future school violence.
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May 27, 2022
CDC Releases New Guidance and FAQs for K-12 and Overnight CampsToday, the CDC released updated Operational Guidance for K-12 School and Early Care and Education Programs to Support Safe In-Person Learning.
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May 25, 2022
Updated Child Tax Credit Outreach ResourcesThere's still time for schools to help families claim the expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC)!
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May 12, 2022
AASA Joins Coalition Letter Asking Department of Labor to Stop or Delay Rulemaking on Overtime PayToday, AASA joined 94 organizations in a letter to Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh.
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May 10, 2022
Summer Nutrition Waivers Available for StatesIf you follow this blog, you are well aware of the fact that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) nationwide waiver authority to provide flexibilities to school nutrition programs expires on June 30 without further Congressional action.
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May 03, 2022
The Advocate May 2022: Biden Administration Focuses on Building Better SchoolsThe health of our school buildings has long been a major problem. The 2021 State of Our Schools Report from the 21st Century School Fund estimates that the U.S. is underinvesting in school buildings and grounds by $85 billion each year.
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April 04, 2022
EPA Announces Details for Electric School Bus RebatesToday, the EPA held a webinar on their new $5 billion electric school bus program. In case you missed the presentation, you can find the slides and content here.
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April 26, 2022
AASA Joins Groups in Letter Supporting Biden Admin New Public Charge RuleAASA joined 110 children’s advocacy and child-serving organizations in support of the Biden Administration’s new proposed rule on public charge.
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April 22, 2022
AASA Asks Congress to Invest in $3 Billion Title II, Part AOn April 21, AASA joined 51 education organizations in asking Congress to invest in retaining and recruiting teachers, principals and other school leaders by providing $3 billion in FY23 appropriations for the Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants program – Title II, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
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April 18, 2022
President Biden, USDA Forest Service Announce more than $238 Million to Support Rural Schools, Roads, Other ServicesPresident Biden and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service announced the SRS funding to invest more than $238 million to support public schools, roads, and other municipal services through the Secure Rural Schools Program.
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April 11, 2022
AASA-Endorsed HERE Act IntroducedOn Thursday, April 7, Representative Joaquin Castro (D-TX) and Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) introduced the Hispanic Educational Resources and Empowerment (HERE) Act.
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April 07, 2022
The Advocate April 2022: Child Nutrition WaiversAt the beginning of the pandemic, Congress granted the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) the authority to provide waivers for child nutrition programs to allow critical flexibilities for program operators to continue operations and feed children despite school closures and supply chain challenges.
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April 04, 2022
White House Announces Actions for Bolstering Clean School Infrastructure and Transportation to Support Student Learning and HealthToday, Vice President Kamala Harris announced the Biden-Harris Action Plan for Building Better School Infrastructure.
Latest Advocacy & Policy Resources
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October 02, 2024
Leadership Edge Walking in Zones and Times of TensionType:Article Topics: Advocacy & PolicyThis article explores the relevance of Heifetz and Linsky's Leadership on the Line for school leaders. It emphasizes the need for legal literacy to help educators navigate political and cultural tensions while fostering collaboration and maintaining educational integrity. -
October 02, 2024
Connecting the Courtroom to the Classroom: How Educators Can Claim Their Agency through Legal LiteracyType:Article Topics: Advocacy & PolicyThis article highlights the challenges educators face due to changing laws and legal precedents. It suggests that increasing educators' legal literacy can empower them to confidently pursue their goals within the law. -
September 19, 2024
PEP Talk Episode 32: School District Spending of American Rescue Plan FundingType:Podcast Topics: Advocacy & Policy, Finance & BudgetsOn this episode of PEP Talk: Kat Sturdevant discusses the newest edition of the American Rescue Plan Report with Sasha Pudelski, Director of Advocacy at AASA, just in time for the ESSER obligation deadline.
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