Posts by csowder@aesa.us
ED Makes Further Moves To Dismantle the Department of Education
On November 18, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon announced six new interagency agreements (IAAs) with four agencies to “break up the federal education bureaucracy, ensure efficient delivery of funded programs, activities, and move closer to fulfilling the President’s promise to return education to the states.”
Read MoreUnpacking State ESEA Waiver Submissions
The Trump administration under Secretary McMahon has indicated a willingness to entertain expanded waivers of certain requirements under ESEA. A handful of states have already begun testing the limits of that potential flexibility, authorized under Section 8401.
Read MoreBehind the Scenes: How Customer Service and Unreasonable Hospitality Can Transform Education Service Agencies
In the world of education, the concept of customer service is often overlooked, yet for Education Service Agencies (ESAs), it is the foundation of meaningful partnership with the schools and communities they serve.
Read MoreCongress Moves to End the Government Shutdown
November 12 marked the end of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The House reconvened for the first time since mid-September to consider the funding bill the Senate passed on Monday night. The President and House Republican leaders support the measure, while most Democrats and some Republicans oppose it for different reasons.
Read MoreSenate Advances Deal to End Shutdown
On November 9, the Senate took the first procedural step to end the government shutdown after a group of moderate Democrats reached a deal with their Republican counterparts. There are still many procedural steps necessary, but this move means the government will likely be open by the end of the week.
Read MoreUPDATE: FCC Votes to End Biden-Era Wi-Fi Hot Spot Expansion
The FCC voted 2 to 1 on orders that would make both Wi-Fi on school buses and Wi-Fi hotspots ineligible for E-Rate support.
Read MoreOctober 2025: AESA State Examiner
This month’s report for October 2025 examines the rising tide of state property tax reforms and implications for K-12 education.
Read MoreWide Array of AI Legislation Introduced
Despite the federal government remaining closed for more than a month now, multiple new bills related to AI and students have been introduced in the past several weeks.
Read MoreGuest Post: Maintaining Strong Foundations for Head Start Programs During the Government Shutdown
This blog post comes from the National Head Start Association.
Read MoreSchool Mental Health Grants Reopened
The U.S. Department of Education released revised priorities for both the School-Based Mental Health Services (SBMH) Grant Program and the Mental Health Service Professional (MHSP) Demonstration Grant Program.
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