Federal Updates

In its Semi-Annual Regulatory Agenda updated earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Education (USED) stated it would issue a number of rules aimed at walking back prior civil rights requirements and aligning program enforcement with the President’s priorities.

On August 31, the House Labor-HHS subcommittee released its FY26 budget proposal, which would affect schools in the 2026–27 school year. The topline: even before accounting for inflation, this plan provides less per-pupil funding for today’s seniors than when they were in kindergarten. After adjusting for inflation, it represents a $32 billion cut in real dollars.

The U.S. Department of Education issued a “Dear Colleague” letter that outlines responsibilities of States and districts in providing services to students and teachers in private schools and highlights some flexibilities in how entities may go about doing so.

SchoolSafety.gov has launched the 2025 Back-to-School Campaign, which provides information and guidance to support K-12 schools and districts in preparing for a safe school year. This annual initiative is designed to empower K-12 communities to learn about and engage with resources, trainings, and tools available through SchoolSafety.gov to create safer learning environments for children and educators.

The U.S. Departments of Education, Labor (DOL), and Commerce released a joint plan earlier this month for workforce development, titled “America’s Talent Strategy: Building the Workforce for the Golden Age.” The plan aims to reshape the current workforce system and is based on five “strategic pillars”: 1) industry-driven strategies, 2) worker mobility, 3) integrated systems, 4) accountability, and 5) flexibility and innovation.

The federal government is proposing restrictions that would limit immigrant families’ access to programs like Head Start, early childhood education, and career and technical education. Learn how you can submit a public comment before the deadline to help protect access to these vital services.

On July 31, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed its Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) bill with bipartisan support. The bill provides small increases for Title I, IDEA and REAP and level funds the most other K12 programs.

On July 30, the U.S. Department of Education (USED) released funds to states that had previously been withheld under Titles I-C, II-A, III-A, and IV-A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as well as the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act. According to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), USED officials indicated that new “guardrails” will be implemented to ensure the funds are used in alignment with administration policies. However, the specifics of these additional guardrails remain unclear.

On July 29, the U.S. Department of Education sent a letter to all SEA leaders inviting them to utilize ESEA waiver processes to reduce statutory and regulatory burdens and be more innovative.

This article summarizes recent actions by the Trump administration invoking the 1996 PRWORA law to restrict immigrant families from accessing federally funded education programs, including Head Start and dual enrollment. The move has raised legal and equity concerns, particularly about student documentation requirements and a possible challenge to Plyler v. Doe.