
Learning Forward Advocacy
Events are unfolding rapidly. Stay tuned to this advocacy page for the latest information.
Each month, the Learning Forward Advocacy Team (A-Team) meets for its monthly 30-minute federal update. The calls offer a valuable opportunity for a frank and off-the-record discussion about the latest federal developments. The sessions are not recorded, and there are no slides or handouts.
Topics from February 11, 2025:
FY25 Appropriations/CR
Congress continues to negotiate overall spending limits for Fiscal Year 25 Appropriations, rushing to meet a deadline of March 14th, when the current temporary spending measure expires. Congress may elect to move a full-year Continuing Resolution (CR), which would likely fund programs at last year’s spending levels or they will pass individual spending bills, which could include cuts. Without an agreement of some kind by March 14th, the federal government would shut down.
Forthcoming Executive Order on Dismantling the Department of Education
Multiple outlets have reported that President Trump intends to sign executive orders that would urge Congress to shut down the Department of Education and to authorize the Secretary of Education to eliminate divisions within the Department of Education not authorized by statute, such as the Office of Policy, Planning and Evaluation. Congress will most likely be unable to comply with the request to shut down the Department of Education as at least seven Senate Democrats would have to approve legislation to do so.
Executive Order on Radical Indoctrination
On January 29, President Trump signed the Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling executive order that demanded the Department of Education develop a strategy “to eliminate federal funding or support for illegal and discriminatory treatment and indoctrination in K-12 schools, including based on gender ideology and discriminatory equity ideology and protecting parental rights.”
McMahon Nomination
The Senate HELP Committee will hold a hearing on Linda McMahon’s nomination to be Secretary of Education on February 13th. In addition to her qualifications for the role, expect questions on her priorities and on her opinions of the President’s executive orders, particularly her willingness to shut down the Department of Education.
Education Department Research Grant Termination
Some grantees of U.S. Department of Education grants were informed on February 10th their awards have been terminated effective immediately. Included are a number of Supporting Effective Educator Development research grants, a program providing funding to increase the number of highly effective educators by supporting the implementation of evidence-based practices that prepare, develop, or enhance the skills of educators.
White House rescinds Jan. 27 memo pausing disbursement of federal grants, loans
Continuing resolution signed – Title IIA still not safe in FY 2025 appropriations
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.
Questions? Contact Chief Policy Officer Melinda George.
Learning Forward Advocacy
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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.