Learning Forward Advocacy
Events are unfolding rapidly. Stay tuned to this advocacy page for the latest information.
On Nov. 18, the U.S. Department of Education announced that it had finalized six interagency agreements with four other federal agencies that will transfer some but not all responsibility for multiple USDE programs. Nearly all K-12 programs will be administered by the Department of Labor under this agreement, with Indian Education programs moving to the Department of the Interior. IDEA is not included in the agreements, but reports indicate that negotiations about transferring it to HHS are ongoing.
The Department cites as precedent for these agreements the interagency agreement that transferred the Career and Technical Education program to the Department of Labor. A Q&A for the DOL agreement on OESE indicates that the Labor Department will be providing grant administration services, including managing competitions, while the USDE “will maintain all statutory responsibilities and will continue its oversight of these programs.” The Q&A also indicates that states “will continue receiving all title formula funds—including those that support low-income students, teachers, academic enrichment, and after-school programs. States will now receive these funds from DOL.” Based on the actually agreement for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, this agreement commences immediately and remains in effect until terminated. The agreement “may be terminated upon 90 calendar days advance written agreement by both Parties.”
The following USDE offices will be subject to these agreements:
- Labor – Office of Elementary and Secondary Education
- Labor – Office of Postsecondary Education
- Interior – Indian Education
- State – International and Foreign Language Education
- Health & Human Services – Child Care Access
- Health & Human Services – Foreign Medical Accreditation
K-12 formula programs moving to the Department of Labor include:
- Title I, Part A: Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies
- Title I, Part B: Improving Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged–State Assessment Grants
- Title I, Part C: Education of Migratory Children
- Title I, Part D: Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who are Neglected, Delinquent, or At-Risk
- Title II, Part A: Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants
- Title III, Part A English Language Acquisition State Grants
- Title IV, Part A, Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE)
- Title IV, Part B 21st Century Community Learning Centers
- Title V Small, Rural School Achievement and Rural and Low-Income School Programs
- Impact Aid
- Education for Homeless Children and Youths
- Republic of Palau Grant
- Consolidated Grants to the Insular Areas
The following competitive grant programs are also included:
- Comprehensive Literacy State Development
- Innovative Approaches to Literacy
- Supporting Effective Educator Development
- Charter Schools Program
- Assistance for Arts Education
- Washington D.C. Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act
- Ready to Learn Programming
- Teacher and School Leader Incentive
- Teacher Quality Partnership Grant
- American History and Civics
- Statewide Family Engagement Centers
- Promise Neighborhoods
- Magnet Schools Assistance Program
- Full-Service Community Schools
Wide array of AI legislation introduced
Indiana files request to consolidate K-12 programs
Join the Learning Forward A-Team in 2025 for regular policy updates
The Learning Forward Advocacy Team is your trusted source for news and updates on federal education policy, particularly the latest news on Title II-A. Signing up for the A-Team will ensure that you receive:
- Access to the latest education policy news through email updates
- An invitation to join a monthly 30-minute Zoom call for a federal update with opportunity to get your specific questions answered (2nd Tuesday of every month at 5 p.m. ET)
- Counsel on local and state policy needs from Learning Forward’s policy team
Sign up today using this link. No advocacy experience required – just information. Stay informed. Join the A-Team today.
Learning Forward Advocacy
Powered by Title II
Communities & members
Resources
Video: How is professional learning important for students?
Call to action: Save Title II-A
Now is not the time to be complacent. We need to remain vigilant in our efforts to save Title II-A. If you are reading this message, please take a moment to send a message to your members of Congress.
Learning Forward’s Powered by Title II campaign website puts all of the information, tools, and advocacy tutorials in one easy to access online location to enable educator advocates reach their Members of Congress and help convince them to support more Title II funding. On this site, advocates will find:
- The latest news on Title II
- Background facts, stories, research, and data on Title II
- A storytelling tool to assist you in researching and explaining how Title II supports your school district
- Sample letters, talking points, tweets and more to support your advocacy
Evidence, evidence, evidence
Evidence of impact is not optional. From your ESSA plans to Title II to talking with your district superintendent, everyone wants to know when professional development is making an impact and how you know. Learning Forward is here to help. We invite you to join your peers from across the U.S. to share your successes here.
Tell us what Title II funds in your school or district, and most important, what outcomes you see as a result. Outcomes might include improved graduation rates or assessment scores, improvements for specific populations of students, or other indicators that students are experiencing more meaningful learning.
This webinar, originally created for our Virtual Advocacy Day, includes advocacy strategies and tips that are applicable to any advocacy effort. Watch to hone your skills, build confidence, and get excited about being an advocate.
ESSA Toolkits
A New Vision For Professional Learning: A Toolkit to Help
States Use ESSA to Advance Learning and ImprovementSystems. This toolkit helps leaders leverage professional learning as
an essential tool in overcoming systemic inequities and guaranteeing
excellence for all.
Agents for Learning Toolkit: A Guide to Amplifying Teacher
Voice and Stakeholder Engagement. This toolkit suggests ways to cultivate teacher voice and agency in policy decisions and the implementation of professional learning.
