Reg Leichty

The U.S. Department of Education issued a Federal Register notice seeking public comment on implementing the new Workforce Pell program, expanding Pell eligibility to certain short-term training programs. Comments are due May 2, 2026.
bit.ly/4aVGIGL

Federal funding: What to watch for this year | HMH With the approval of the 2026 federal budget for education behind us, and  the President’s annual budget request for next year around the corner, many education leaders are asking the same question: W...

I had the opportunity to write this week for HMH’s Policy in Motion about what to watch as the FY2027 federal appropriations process gets underway. Early signals from Congress could shape education funding debates in the months ahead.

bit.ly/4rbHlkn

House Committee on Energy and Commerce The Committee on Energy and Commerce is the oldest standing legislative committee in the U.S. House of Representatives and is vested with the broadest jurisdiction of any congressional authorizing com...

House E&C Committee markup tomorrow (3/5) on kids' online safety bills:

KIDS Act (inc. KOSA) - platform safeguards, age verification, AI chatbot rules

Sammy's Law - third-party safety tools

COPPA 2.0 - extends protections to teens <17

App Store Accountability Act

Watch: bit.ly/46BLd6R

Today the Institute of Education Sciences released the long-awaited report, “Reimagining the Institute of Education Sciences: A Strategy for Relevance and Renewal.”

The report proposes shifts in federal education research, data systems, and evidence use. Worth a look. bit.ly/4rzZfhI

Hearings | Committee on Education &amp; the Workforce

House Subcommittee hearing (Feb 24, 2 PM ET): “Building an AI-Ready America: Teaching in the AI Age.”

Expect discussion on AI literacy, educator prep, classroom integration & workforce readiness.

One to watch for K–12 and edtech leaders.

bit.ly/4tSaJPe

Readiness Book Events An enlightening overview of how early childhood education and care works in the United States and practical steps for how the systems of delivery might be improved In Readiness , Elliot Regenstein...

Grateful for a terrific evening in DC celebrating the launch of my law partner Elliot’s new book, Readiness, with colleagues and friends committed to expanding opportunity.

Next stops: New York, Ann Arbor, and Boston.

Learn more: bit.ly/3MlzDWJ

Hearings | Committee on Education &amp; the Workforce

On Feb. 24 at 2 PM EST, the House Early Childhood, Elementary & Secondary Ed Subcommittee will hold a hearing: “Building an AI-Ready America: Teaching in the AI Age.”

The 4th in its AI series—focused on K–12 impact, educator prep & AI literacy.

Worth watching. bit.ly/4aY3MEJ

AI Literacy 2.0: What the DOL’s New Workforce Lens May Mean for State Education Leaders This summer, Workforce Pell Grants begin rolling out, expanding federal aid to short-term, high-quality workforce programs. At the same time, federal, state, and local leaders continue to push for str...

Many states released thoughtful AI education guidance not long ago, yet the pace of AI innovation and federal workforce policy suggests it may already be time for a second look. Read why here. bit.ly/4qMdcIj

Hearing: The Science of Reading

The House Committee on Appropriations is live now with a hearing on “The Science of Reading”. Join this timely discussion on evidence-based literacy instruction and what it means for classrooms and federal education funding.
Watch live: bit.ly/4aezIDa

U.S. Department of Education Highlights Flexibility in Federal Education Funding to Support Innovative Teacher Workforce Strategies in the States The Department of Education sent guidance to states and districts, emphasizing existing flexibilities under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to use Title II, Part A funds to implemen...

New ESEA Title II guidance from USED signals greater flexibility for states & districts. The guidance encourages strategic staffing, team-based models, differentiated roles & pay, residencies, Grow Your Own programs, and job-embedded PD. Worth a read: bit.ly/45Z0gHv

Options: A More Balanced Conversation About Kids, Screens and Schools Amid so many justified policies and debates concerning smartphones in classrooms, it’s important for education leaders to distinguish between distracting phones and valuable ed tech that prepares kids...

Former state education chiefs warn: Don't confuse personal smartphones with instructional tech. Their op-ed argues for protecting students from distraction while preserving digital tools that support learning and workforce prep. Essential read for education leaders. bit.ly/45LAxSJ

New GAO report finds knowledge gaps are the biggest barrier to assistive technology in schools. Many teachers overlook simple low-tech solutions (pencil grips, swivel chairs) for complex devices students don't need. Districts with dedicated AT teams saw real improvements. bit.ly/4qQOpDK

New federal guidance on the Education Freedom Tax Credit opens a door for public school districts to establish or partner with Scholarship Granting Organizations—creating a new funding stream for tutoring, CTE, and other eligible K–12 supports. bit.ly/4aieCVN

Reading the Tea Leaves: What State of the State Addresses Reveal About Education Policy in 2026 As state legislatures convene each January, governors use their State of the State addresses to lay down markers, signaling priorities, framing political debates, and previewing the fights ahead. Taki...

New article: What governors are actually proposing for education in 2026—and what stands a chance of passing.
Based on a review of 21 State of the State addresses across red and blue states. bit.ly/4jUp1tU

Reading the Tea Leaves: What State of the State Addresses Reveal About Education Policy in 2026 As state legislatures convene each January, governors use their State of the State addresses to lay down markers, signaling priorities, framing political debates, and previewing the fights ahead. Taki...

What do governors’ State of the State addresses really tell us about education policy in 2026 and what’s just political theater? I reviewed 21 speeches and found more alignment than expected on early childhood, literacy, cell phones, and career pathways. Read more: bit.ly/4jUp1tU

The House just passed a $1.2 trillion spending package, including the FY'26 Department of Education budget with robust funding for Title I ($18.4B), special ed ($15.5B), and other key programs. Includes strong Congressional oversight of interagency transfers. Senate action next week. bit.ly/45TpGWQ

Readiness Book Events An enlightening overview of how early childhood education and care works in the United States and practical steps for how the systems of delivery might be improved In Readiness , Elliot Regenstein...

📚 Join us for a book event on "Readiness" by Foresight partner Elliot Regenstein—an insider's guide to how states oversee early childhood education and how we can build better systems.
Register: flpadvisors.com/readiness.html
#EarlyChildhood #ECE #EducationPolicy

The Role of State Boards in Making Credentials’ Value Transparent Not all credentials are created equal, so how will students and families choose?

With 1.8M+ credentials available to students, how do families choose which ones truly lead to careers & economic mobility? State boards can cut through the noise by championing credential transparency—making data on employment outcomes & earnings accessible to all. bit.ly/4ps43nl

Heads up: NTIA is hosting a public listening session today (Dec 10, 12–1:30 pm ET) on screen time, ed-tech, student data, and the impacts of devices in classrooms. Join the discussion here bit.ly/48FeKOB @cosnweb.bsky.social

Owens Announces Hearing on How LERs Empower Workers and Expand Opportunity

Tomorrow at 10:15 EST, the House Higher Ed & Workforce Dev Subcommittee will explore “Building a Talent Marketplace” and how LERs expand opportunity — with Credential Engine CEO Scott Cheney set to testify. Watch live: bit.ly/4iJuwep

Murray, Baldwin, Sanders, Schumer, Colleagues Slam Latest Efforts to Dismantle the Department of Education; Call on McMahon to Reverse Illegal Moves That Weaken Support for Students | United States Se... United States Senate Committee on Appropriations

Senators across the Democratic Caucus today challenged ED’s plan to transfer key programs to other agencies. Their letter to Sec. McMahon urges an immediate reversal of moves that weaken federal support for millions of students. bit.ly/3XB309j

The IRS Just Started the Process of Implementing the New Education Tax Credit — Public Schools Should Seize the Opportunity This week the Treasury Department and IRS began the process of implementing the new federal Individual Tax Credit for Qualified Contributions to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) created under...

The IRS just invited comments on the new federal tax credit for Scholarship Granting Organizations. In this article, I break down why public school districts should weigh in now and how they can ensure donated dollars stay in their communities to support their students. Read more: bit.ly/48lTY54

Laws in Indiana, Minnesota and Ohio take aim at preventing cyberattacks — a growing threat that can impact school operations, staff and students - CSG Midwest State K-12 education systems rely heavily on the “internet of things,” both for the instruction of students and in everyday...

States are stepping up to protect K12 systems from cyber threats. I spoke with the Council of State Governments Midwest about why ransomware, data breaches & insurance costs are hitting schools so hard — and what policymakers can do. Proud to see @cosnweb.bsky.social work highlighted. bit.ly/48inPeF

House Committee on Energy and Commerce The Committee on Energy and Commerce is the oldest standing legislative committee in the U.S. House of Representatives and is vested with the broadest jurisdiction of any congressional authorizing com...

On 12/2, House Energy & Commerce will hold a hearing on a sweeping package online safety bills—from KOSA to COPPA updates, algorithmic transparency, gaming safeguards, and limits on selling kids’ data. A major discussion about child safety + privacy. bit.ly/3Xiw9WM

U.S. Ed's new FIPSE Special Projects grant offers $167M for higher ed innovation—including $50M for AI in education and support for state-led talent marketplaces linking Learning & Employment Records + Credential Registries. Apps due Dec 3.https://bit.ly/4nN4E2g

Investing in a Great Nation: Reflections from a Visit to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Today I had the privilege of meeting with Nebraska's education leaders on the campus of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, one of America’s great land-grant universities. My time on campus reminded m...

Visiting the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, today, is a reminder that America once built greatness by expanding higher education. Today’s assaults on universities risk undoing that legacy. We should be investing in, not dismantling our postsecondary institutions: bit.ly/4nXwitR

New from the U.S. Department of Education: Proposed priority highlights credential registries as part of talent marketplaces—linking students, employers & educators with transparent, skills-based pathways to in-demand careers. Comments open until 10/27. bit.ly/42Ppu9r

On Sept. 30, the FCC will vote on items that would make school bus Wi-Fi and off-campus hotspots ineligible for E-Rate support. This decision could widen the #HomeworkGap. FCC Open Meeting Agenda: bit.ly/3IDXpes @cosnweb.bsky.social

The Institute of Education Sciences is asking for public input on how to modernize its research, data, & evaluation work. RFI hits the Federal Register tomorrow. Comments due Oct 15. bit.ly/46Oumhz

Coming up at 10:00AM EDT: Senate HELP Committee hearing on "The State of K-12 Education." Witnesses: Dr. Eric Hanushek, Dr. Martin West, Dr. Katie Jenner, Dr. Scott Muri & Dr. Rebecca Winthrop. Watch it live here: bit.ly/4n9BR8Dhttps...