It's Not Too Late! Join Us Later Today!
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Confused by changing education policies? You’re not alone! Join Session 1: Understanding & Influencing Policy Context later today at 2:00 pm ET.
- Cut Through the Confusion – Learn where to find reliable policy info and what it means for your ESA.
- Look Ahead – Use a forecasting tool to predict and prepare for policy changes.
- Build Key Relationships – Connect with legislators and state education leaders.
- Practice Sharing Information – Get tips on explaining policy issues clearly to others.
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Last Call for 25-26 Leadership Academy and EIR Program!
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Discover two of AESA’s top leadership programs created specifically for ESA leaders. Both offer tailored learning, one-on-one mentorship, and a strong national peer network.
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Leadership Academy Applications Due
Apply to be part of the 2025–26 cohort of CEO-level leaders.
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Executives in Residence Applications Due
Apply to take your next step in ESA leadership.
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Deadline May 2: Be a K-12 AI Trainer
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AESA and CoSN, in partnership with SETDA and AASA, are expanding the Building Capacity for Generative AI in K-12 Education Project and seeking 20–25 new Regional Trainers. Deadline to apply is this Friday, May 2, 2025.
Trainers will help school districts assess AI readiness and develop implementation plans using CoSN’s K-12 Gen AI Maturity Tool. This round targets states where we’re still building training capacity.
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Current ESA Staff and Board Members Only:
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DEI Certification Requirement Paused
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The NEA/ACLU litigation in New Hampshire was successful and there is now a nationwide preliminary injunction that prevents the U.S. Department of Education from enforcing any part of the 2/14 DEI guidance as well as the 4/3 requirement that states/districts certify their compliance with the guidance. Read more.
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In recent weeks, USED has leveraged the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) as a policy tool to incentivize state compliance with other administration policy priorities. This post summarizes two sets of actions: specific communications with Maine and California related to parent rights to access education records, and a broader ‘Dear Colleague’ letter about FERPA and students’ gender identity.
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AESA Sends Letter to USED Urging Level Funding for FY25 Title II-A Funds
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AESA joined 31 national organizations to send a letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon urging the Department of Education (USED) to quickly allocate the $2.19 billion Congress and the President approved for Title II-A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). As a reminder, the FY25 continuing resolution did not include specified funding amounts for certain programs – including Title II – which means USED has more discretion than usual on allocating those funds. The letter seeks to underscore the importance of Title II-A and the implications for school districts if funding isn’t provided for this next cycle. Read the full letter here.
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IDEA Full Funding Coalition Sends FY26 Letter to the Hill
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Noelle Ellerson Ng, Associate Executive Director for AESA and AASA, is proud to co-chair the IDEA Full Funding Coalition, a group committed to advocating for Congress to honor its commitment to fully fund IDEA, by investing 40% of the additional cost associated with educating students with special needs. Ahead of the FY26 appropriations cycle, our coalition sent this letter to the appropriations committees with our funding ask and priority, asking them to protect IDEA and invest at a level that moves them closer to full funding. Read the letter here.
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USED Releases Statement on 2026 NAEP Schedule
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USED announced that the 2026 NAEP Assessments are on track for administration in January 2026.
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School Vouchers Won in Texas. Next Up, the Nation.
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The New York Times takes a comprehensive look at the current state of play with state-run school voucher programs (including the recent approval of a statewide program in Texas) as well as the potential impact of a federal tax credit bill for donating to private school scholarships.
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West40’s Shift Everything Podcast Highlights Leadership Academy Trip
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Each week, we'll spotlight a podcast that highlights the voices and insights of our members. Check out AESA’s curated list of ESA podcasts. Is yours missing? Contact Claire Sowder to add it.
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There are those who say, “That’s just the way things are,” and there are those who push for change. The West40 team of educators and advocates, led by Dr. Mark Klaisner, is proudly the latter. Through their bold initiative, Shift Everything, they challenge the education community to rethink what’s possible—inviting leaders to disrupt the status quo and reimagine the future of learning.
In the latest episode of Shift Everything, Dr. Klaisner shares insights from his Spring 2025 journey to Asia with the AESA Leadership Academy. Dr. Klaisner’s reflections serve as a call to action: to learn from the world, lead with purpose, and never stop challenging what’s possible.
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Spotlight on Washington State: Innovation and Impact in Action
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We’re excited to share a powerful compilation of videos that highlights the incredible work being done by our members in Washington state. These stories offer a glimpse into the passion, creativity, and dedication driving education forward across the region.
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Have we missed one of your ESA’s stories? Send submissions to csowder@aesa.us to be included in future editions of Online News.
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Collaborative Partner News
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The primary focus of this month's update is on the multiple free resources that CoSN provides to assist superintendents and other school leaders when it comes to leading digital transformation within school settings.
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