Posts by csowder@aesa.us
Showcasing the Transformative Impact of Educational Service Agencies
AESA was honored to be featured in School Administrator magazine, highlighting the critical role ESAs play in supporting schools, educators, and students nationwide. Read the full breakout stories that demonstrate ESA innovation and impact.
Read MoreFERPA Update
In recent weeks, USED has leveraged the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) as a policy tool to incentivize state compliance with other administration policy priorities. This blog post summarizes two sets of actions: specific communications with Maine and California, related to parent rights to access education records, and a broader ‘Dear Colleague’ letter about FERPA and students’ gender identity.
Read MoreESSER Liquidation Update
On March 28, the Department informed SEAs that the Administration has canceled any prior approval for “late liquidation” of remaining funds from a variety of federal pandemic recovery funds, including American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER and Homeless Children and Youth (HCY) funds.
Read MoreReconciliation vs. Appropriations
With growing discussion around potential cuts to Medicaid and other critical programs, this resource clarifies the key differences between the reconciliation and appropriations processes—and what each could mean for education.
Read MoreED Issues New DEI Directive for States
The U.S. Department of Education issued a new directive requiring every state education agency (SEA) to certify within 10 days that they are complying with federal civil rights laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard (SFFA). The certification does not demand the end of DEI efforts, but instead reiterates the need to ensure those efforts are lawful under Title VI and to cease “illegal DEI practices.”
Read MoreSCOTUSblog: Justices appear likely to uphold FCC telecom access subsidy
The Supreme Court last week seemed poised to uphold the federal program that provides schools, libraries, and underserved areas with access to affordable telephone and high-speed internet services.
Read MoreMarch 2025: AESA State Examiner
This month’s report for will examine state policies on educators and school staff.
Read MorePresident Trump Signs Executive Order on Dept. of Education
President Trump signed an executive order that would direct the Secretary of Education to take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the U.S. Department of Education and “return education authority to the States.”
Read MoreCongress Passes CR to Complete FY25
After weeks of uncertainty about a potential government shutdown, Congress has approved a year-long continuing resolution (CR). This completes Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 appropriations and provides level-funding for most of the key K-12 formula programs, including IDEA, Title I, Title IV-A and REAP.
Read MoreNew Report On Impacts of Proposed Cuts to School-Based Medicaid Programs
A new report produced by the Healthy Schools Campaign looks at what would happen to school health services, student resources and district funding if Congress cuts Medicaid.
Read More