The Leading Edge: Policy & Advocacy Blog
The Leading Edge, AASA's policy & advocacy blog, provides up-to-date information about activities in Washington, D.C. and Capitol Hill that affect you and your school district.
Topics include new or proposed regulations and federal policies, federal funding updates and opportunities, advocacy resources and more.
Latest Posts
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July 28, 2023
FY24 Appropriations Update: A Tale of Two Chambers: House and Senate Advance Drastically Different Education BudgetsThis is part two of a blog post on FY24.
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July 28, 2023
FY2024 Appropriations Update: Let’s Talk Federal Share in LEA BudgetsThis is part one of a two-part blog post on all things FY 2024.
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July 26, 2023
EPA Proposes Stricter Regulations on Lead Exposure in Certain Buildings, Including Some SchoolsEarlier this month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a new draft rule for stricter standards on exposure to lead in buildings where children under the age of 6 spend significant time—including residential buildings, child care facilities, and schools.
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July 25, 2023
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program FAQThis month, improvements to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program went into effect.
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July 14, 2023
House FY24 Appropriations Proposal Guts EducationTop line: This is a huge cut to education no matter how you count it.
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July 13, 2023
2023 Legislative Advocacy Conference RecapThank you for joining us for our 2023 Legislative Advocacy Conference.
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July 12, 2023
Guest Post: Making the Most of Your Summer Fun(ds)—Improvement Isn’t AccidentalThis is the third installment of the Summer Funds series with ÂÜÀòÍøPresident Gladys Cruz.
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July 12, 2023
House and Senate Introduce IDEA Full Funding ActEarlier this week, the IDEA Full Funding Act was reintroduced in the 118th Congress!
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July 06, 2023
The Advocate July 2023: Additional School Meal Funding has ExpiredAs we head into July, a key priority for the ÂÜÀòÍøAdvocacy Team is urging Congress to extend the additional reimbursements for school meal programs provided by the Keep Kids Fed Act (KKFA), which expired on June 30.
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July 05, 2023
ÂÜÀòÍøReleases Guide for School Leaders on Artificial IntelligenceÂÜÀòÍøpartnered with four education organizations to develop a guide for school leaders on the basics of AI in education.
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June 29, 2023
Guest Post: Making the Most of Your Summer Fun(ds)— Effective Planning = Effective ProgramsThis is the second guest post written by ÂÜÀòÍøPresident-Elect 2022-23 Gladys Cruz about leveraging ARP dollars for afterschool or summer programs.
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June 28, 2023
ÂÜÀòÍøJoins National Organizations to Support FCC NominationÂÜÀòÍøjoined 15 other national education organizations in a letter supporting the nomination of Anna Gomez as a Commissioner with the Federal Communications Commission.
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June 27, 2023
FCC Chairwoman Announces 'Learn Without Limits' InitiativeAt last week's American Library Association Conference, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced her 'Learn Without Limits' initiative.
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June 23, 2023
ÂÜÀòÍøLeads Letter to Congress on Increased Reimbursement Rates for School MealsToday, AASA, with 17 other national education, nutrition and child welfare organizations, sent a letter to Congress urging them to extend the additional reimbursements from the Keep Kids Fed Act.
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June 15, 2023
ESSER in Action at Lockwood Schools: A Positive Learning Environment in Big Sky CountryAASA, ÂÜÀòÍø, is launching a series, ESSER in Action, highlighting how COVID-19 relief funds are making an impact across the country.
Latest Advocacy & Policy Resources
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September 18, 2025
PEP Talk Episode 40: The Impact of Impact AidType:Podcast Topics: Advocacy & PolicyOn this episode of PEP Talk: Kat Sturdevant speaks with Quincy Natay, superintendent of Chinle Unifed School District #24 in Chinle, AZ about the critical need of Impact Aid funding, the nation’s oldest federal K-12 education program that turns 75 this year. -
September 02, 2025
One Big Beautiful Bill Act & Its Impact on K-12 EducationType:Report Topics: Advocacy & Policy, Finance & BudgetsA whitepaper outlines the key policy and funding impacts for public schools following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. -
July 16, 2025
School Law Under the Microscope: Outcomes of the U.S. Supreme Court Decisions Affecting K-12 EducationType:Webinar Recording Topics: Advocacy & Policy, Legal MattersInsightful webinar exploring the latest and most significant U.S. Supreme Court cases affecting K-12 public education.
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