With one of the largest turnouts in recent memory—241 attendees strong—the AESA Summer Leadership Conference brought national energy to Austin, Texas, from July 15–17, 2025. Hosted in partnership with ESC Region 13, this dynamic three-day gathering united ESA leaders from across the country under the theme: ESAs: Shaping the Future of Education.

 

Set against the vibrant (yet slighly...warm) backdrop of Austin, the conference offered participants an opportunity to explore how ESAs are driving innovation, advancing equity, and building stronger systems for students and communities. Attendees chose from a rich lineup of breakout sessions, organized around three bold strands: Entrepreneurial Effort, Innovation, and Visionary Leadership—or, as Region 13 playfully put it, the “sweet, spicy, and smoky” flavors of the conference.

We need your help to urge the Trump Administration to release the remaining FY25 funds that are being withheld from public schools.

Contact your members of Congress and urge them to request the immediate release of these funds (see resources below).

Background:

On June 30, the Administration notified states that it was not going to allocate FY25 funds for Title I-C, Title II-A, Title III-A, Title IV-A and Title IV-B – until further review.

 

On Friday, July 18, the U.S. Department of Education released $1.3 billion in after-school and summer program grants—a partial victory following weeks of advocacy by superintendents, lawmakers, and education leaders. However, nearly $5 billion in critical funding is still being withheld. We must continue to apply pressure until all FY25 funds, as appropriated by Congress, are fully released to districts.

 

Please customize the message below with your district’s data and send it to the staffers who work for your members of Congress. We recommend providing as much detail about how you use these funds and what you will be forced to cut if the money never comes through. Access Hill staff/education staff contact information here.

 

AESA is actively urging the Administration to release these vital funds. In the meantime, we understand the uncertainty this delay creates for our members. We remain committed to keeping you informed with guidance and updates to help your district plan effectively—now and if the funds are ultimately released.

 

Thank you in advance for your support on behalf of public education and every child in every community.

Email Template to Send to Your Representative:

Dear [Representative/Senator Name],

 

I am the [Title] of [organization] in [city/county, state], serving [number] students. I am writing to express both appreciation and concern.

 

I sincerely thank you and the Administration for the recent release of $1.3 billion in after-school and summer program grants. This was an important step forward, and I appreciate the responsiveness to the advocacy efforts from education leaders across the country.

 

However, I remain deeply concerned by the continued delay in releasing the rest of the FY25 education funds—including Title I, Part C; Title II, Part A; Title III; and Title IV, Part A. These programs are vital to my district. We receive approximately [dollar amount] annually through these federal funds, and this delay has already significantly disrupted our ability to plan for the upcoming school year.

 

Without these resources, we will be forced to cut [insert program and/or dollar cuts here], which would have serious consequences for our students, staff, and broader community.

 

I respectfully urge you to contact the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and advocate for the immediate release of the remaining FY25 education funds, as appropriated by Congress. Our students cannot wait.

 

Thank you for your continued leadership and support.

 

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Organization Name]

Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced that it is utilizing the authority of Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) to prohibit immigrant families from accessing services it says are similar to welfare, including federally funded early childhood and career and technical education. While effective immediately, no official guidance or additional information for providers has been released. AESA will continue to update members as more information becomes available. Read more.