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Federal Updates

Election Takeaways: 3 Issues to Watch

November 8, 2024 | Comments Off on Election Takeaways: 3 Issues to Watch

Written by Sasha Pudelski, Director, Advocacy at AASA, The School Superintendents Association and member of the AESA advocacy team Anticipated funding and policy issues coming out of the 2024 election and what to watch for as a public school educator. While the election results are still being distilled and we do not know with certainty…

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EPA Lead Testing Rule for Schools Finalized

October 21, 2024 | Comments Off on 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 are the most vulnerable to lead’s effects…

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Update on USAC and the 5th Circuit Court Case

October 21, 2024 | Comments Off on 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 E-Rate dollars to be used for Wi-Fi on…

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Guest Post: Uncapped Federal Funding for Healthy, Efficient Schools

October 14, 2024 | Comments Off on Guest Post: Uncapped Federal Funding for Healthy, Efficient Schools

This guest post comes to us from UndauntedK12 about taking advantage of clean energy opportunities through the Inflation Reduction Act. The Inflation Reduction Act is accelerating the clean energy transition throughout America’s public schools-creating healthy and efficient learning environments for students. A new national map of School Investments in Clean Energy highlights over 300 IRA reimbursement-eligible projects in nearly 40 states, with district…

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What to Expect from the Lame Duck Congress

October 4, 2024 | Comments Off on 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 list, including some bills that they must pass,…

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CISA Announces New K-12 School Security Guide for School Business Officials

October 1, 2024 | Comments Off on 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 product uses guidance and best practices outlined in CISA’s existing K-12 School…

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New USED Resources for Districts to Support Students with Mental Health Disabilities

October 1, 2024 | Comments Off on 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 secondary schools, as well as colleges and universities under Section 504 of…

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MAISA, MDE, and Partners Roundtable with the U.S. Department of Education

September 9, 2024 | Comments Off on 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 Michigan, including mental health, special education, and ongoing funding issues. I…

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USED Releases Resources for Key Aspects of ESEA Implementation

September 6, 2024 | Comments Off on 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 with these schools to develop improvement plans, and deploying…

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Court Grants FCC Request for Stay (for E-Rate and Universal Service Fund)

August 28, 2024 | Comments Off on 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 requested stay. (A stay is a ruling by the court in civil…

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Related Resources

E-Rate
The Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund makes discounts available to eligible schools and libraries for telecommunication services, Internet access, and internal connections. The program is intended to ensure that schools and libraries have access to affordable telecommunications and information services.

Official USAC Web site

Other websites and resources:

United States Department of Education

ESSA

IDEA Legislation:
Chapter 33-Education of Individuals with Disabilities

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