Federal Updates

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

AESA along with ASBO International and AASA have submitted comments to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) expressing serious concerns about proposed changes to the Uniform Grants Guidance, the federal rules that govern how grant funds are managed and used by districts and education service agencies.