April 8, 2025

Networks & Meetings

Women's Leadership Network-Cohort I

Submit a presentation proposal for the 2025 Annual Conference and Expo, December 3-5, 2025.

Deadline: April 15, 2025

Apply for the 2025-26 Leadership Academy

For existing ESA CEOs with the opportunity for international travel.

Extended Deadline: April 30, 2025 

*Scholarship available through the AESA Foundation!  

AESA and AASA are proud to co-chair the IDEA full funding coalition. Both the House and Senate last week introduced stand alone legislation that would put Congress on a path to honor its funding commitment to IDEA. The IDEA Full Funding Act is not likely to get any major airtime, but remains a top legislative priority for AESA and becomes a point of leverage in appropriations conversations to push back against cuts. Read the press release from the co-sponsors.

USED Reverses Policy of Allowing Late Liquidation of ESSER Funds

On Friday, March 28, Secretary McMahon sent letters to state chiefs informing them that USED was rescinding all approvals of late liquidation of COVID-era relief funding (across all of the different grants). Among other things, the letter asserted that any reliance by states or districts on USED’s approval was “unreasonable.” That said, the letter also left open the possibility of getting extensions re-approved via case-by-case appeals. It is not clear how those will be processed in a timely way on the heels of the 50% RIF at the agency. (EdWeek’s comprehensive coverage of this controversial development is available here. The 74 Million has a chart on the drawdown.) 

USED Issues Dear Colleague Letter about FERPA and Students’ Gender Identity

On Friday, March 28, USED’s Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO) issued a Dear Colleague letter about state and district obligations under FERPA and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). The letter was issued alongside two enforcement actions the SPPO announced—one in California and one in Maine—regarding state/local policies governing when and how information about students’ gender identity (e.g., any changes to names or pronouns) is stored and shared (or not) with parents (upon request or in affirmative ways). 

USED Sends Letter to States on Leveraging Flexibilities in Title I Funds to Support Education Choice

On Monday, March 31, the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education sent a letter to all chief state school officers informing them of existing flexibility in federal formula funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to support education choice initiatives. Providing guidance to states on this flexibility is one of the Department’s first actions in implementing President Trump’s Executive Order Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families. Read the full letter here. 

The future of affordable internet access for schools, libraries, and underserved communities recently took center stage at the U.S. Supreme Court. In a high-profile case challenging the constitutionality of the FCC’s Universal Service Fund, justices appeared broadly skeptical of claims that the program unlawfully delegates Congressional power. With the stakes high for the E-rate program and digital equity nationwide, both NBC News and SCOTUSblog offer in-depth coverage of the arguments, the legal questions raised, and what this could mean for the future of telecommunications access in America.

AESA's Joan Wade and Sheila King sit on the steering committee of Project Unicorn, an effort that promotes secure data interoperability in K–12 education by uniting innovators, school systems, and vendors to set shared priorities, build demand, and help buyers make informed, cost-effective decisions. 

Project Unicorn’s 5th Annual School System Data Survey is now open! Your district is eligible for free support by participating.

The survey helps you evaluate your current school system capabilities & infrastructure for leveraging education data. Once the Project Unicorn survey is closed, you will have the opportunity to schedule a 1:1 call to review your districts’ results. 

All survey participants will receive a $15 gift card as a thank you. The deadline is June 30.

Please check out  Understanding the Role That US Department of Education Funds Play in State Education Agency Operations and Local Spending from CCSSO.

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We invite ESAs nationwide to join the celebration! Share how your agency is honoring 50 years of IDEA by posting your stories on social media using #IDEA50—let’s showcase the difference we’re making together! 

Have we missed one of your ESA’s stories? Send submissions to csowder@aesa.us to be included in future editions of Online News. 

Nebraska Student Leaders Engage with Governor and State Officials in
Virtual Leadership Event
ESUCC

Guest column: Defending public education in a time of uncertainty
VC Star

A Night to Remember: Counted Out Documentary Screening
High Desert ESD

EDCOE announces Amy Andersen in new leadership role
Mountain Democrat

We’ve rebranded our yearly event as the AESA Annual Conference & Expo, and we need YOU to bring the "Expo" to life!

Join us December 3–5, 2025, at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for this exciting, expanded event experience. If you've participated in the past, you already know how powerful this gathering is for making connections, showcasing solutions, and building lasting relationships in the education service agency community.

Why Exhibit?

• Engage directly with influential ESA leaders

• Present your products and services to a focused audience

• Build meaningful partnerships and generate quality leads

• Gain insight into the evolving needs of ESAs nationwide

This is more than just an exhibit hall—it’s your opportunity to be a visible, active part of a national network working to improve education.

Exhibit space is limited, and the best spots go fast!