Posts by csowder@aesa.us
AESA Member Resource Expands Nationwide to Help Protect E-Rate
A resource developed by AESA member Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU) to demonstrate the local impact of E-Rate funding has gone national! As the FCC considers changes that could significantly affect the future of E-Rate, this timely tool gives education leaders access to district- and county-specific funding data to help make the case for protecting this critical program. Learn more, explore the resource, and see how you can help keep schools connected.
Read MoreSenate Commerce Committee Advances Kids’ Online Safety Legislation
The Senate Commerce Committee recently considered a package of bipartisan bills focused on protecting children’s privacy and safety online, including legislation addressing social media platforms, artificial intelligence, AI chatbots, and AI-enabled toys.
Read MoreSenate HELP Committee Advances K-12 Education Bills
On July 30, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held its first significant markup of K-12 education legislation this Congress. AESA has been closely following these proposals and shares the positions outlined below on the bills and amendments considered by the committee.
Read MoreJuly 2026: AESA State Examiner
This month’s report for July 2026 examines student data privacy at the state level.
Read MoreAESA Co-signs Letter to Treasury on FSTC Program Implementation
AESA joined a coalition of national public education organizations in submitting recommendations to the U.S. Department of Treasury as it develops proposed regulations and guidance for the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC) program.
Read MoreED Removes Disparate Impact Regulations
On July 23, 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.
Read MoreDHS Releases New Public Charge Rule
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.
Read MoreArkansas Latest State to Receive ESEA Waiver
On July 7, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) approved Arkansas for a Sec. 8401 waiver under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), including some flexibility that other States have not yet received, as well as for Ed-Flex authority.
Read MoreEducation Committee Marks Up Legislation to Codify ED IAAs
On July 15, 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.
Read MoreED Announces New Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Enforcement Initiative
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”—when an employee credibly accused of sexual misconduct is allowed to move to another position or district without appropriate accountability.
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