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EPA Lead Testing Rule for Schools Finalized Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule creating the first-ever national requirement to test for lead in schools that rely on water from public utilities. The regulation, called the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, mandates that water systems screen all elementary and child-care facilities, where those who…

Update on USAC and the 5th Circuit Court Case Refresher: In June, AASA led an amicus brief in a case in the 5th circuit, responding to the Molak v FCC case in the fifth circuit in support of the FCC. The Molak case asserts the FCC is overstepping its authority in its recent move to allow…

What to Expect from the Lame Duck Congress Written by Tara Thomas, AESA Policy Analyst On September 25, Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government funded until December 20 and adjourned for recess until after the election. When members return on November 12, the House and Senate will have a long to-do…

CISA Announces New K-12 School Security Guide for School Business Officials Recently, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released the K-12 School Security Guide Companion Product for School Business Officials, a new resource to help school business officials support physical security planning and implementation initiatives in K-12 schools and school districts.  This new companion…

New USED Resources for Districts to Support Students with Mental Health Disabilities In September, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has issued four new resources for schools, stakeholders, students with disabilities, and their families. These documents outline the rights of students with mental health disabilities and the responsibilities of elementary and…

MAISA, MDE, and Partners Roundtable with the U.S. Department of Education I wanted to take a moment to share an incredible opportunity Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators (MAISA) had this week with the U.S. Department of Education. During a roundtable with our many partners, we tackled some of the most pressing challenges facing schools across…

USED Releases Resources for Key Aspects of ESEA Implementation This week, the U.S. Department of Education has released three documents to assist chief state school officers with implementing key aspects of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). School improvement guidance for public comment: designed to support States in identifying schools for additional support, partnering…

Court Grants FCC Request for Stay (for E-Rate and Universal Service Fund) By Noelle Ellerson Ng, Associate Executive Director, Policy & Advocacy, AESA  On the heels of last month’s 5th circuit court decision which challenges the constitutionality of the funding mechanism for the universal service fund (Read related blog posts here and here), the 5th circuit has granted the FCC its…

FY25 Appropriations Update By Tara Thomas, Policy Analyst, AESA  On August 1, 2024, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed its FY25 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) proposal. The bill increased funding for the Department of Education (ED) by $1 billion, including increases for Title I (+280 million) and IDEA (+295 million). This proposal is…

FCC Releases State by State Info on How Universal Service Fund Impacts States By Noelle Ellerson Ng, Associate Executive Director, Policy & Advocacy, AESA  Background: The Universal Service Fund is a $8 billion decades-old mechanism created by Congress in 1996 to support vital communications investments where the marketplace falls short: connecting schools and libraries to high-speed…