On January 21, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) signed a joint motion to dismiss an appeal in a lawsuit that sought to allow it to move ahead with its anti-DEI policy. In abandoning its appeal, the agency signaled that it’s effectively stepping back from trying to enforce the policy. In…
A bipartisan and bicameral proposed agreement released on January 19, 2026 would fund the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) at $79 billion for fiscal year 2026 (FY26), which is $217 million above FY 2025 levels. The agreement would derail the Trump administration’s efforts to downsize and eventually eliminate the USDE.…
On January 14, 2026, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 was signed into law. The bipartisan legislation permits schools to provide whole milk and nondairy beverage options in federally subsidized school meals. School districts are currently permitted to only serve fat-free and low-fat milks in school meals…
In response to a letter from a coalition that includes AASA, The School Superintendents Association, The Consortium for School Networking and national teacher’s unions including the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation held a hearing on January 15, 2026…
To limit reliance on ultra-processed foods in school meals, a majority of school nutrition directors report needing additional resources that include funding, menu development, culinary training, staffing, and equipment and infrastructure, according to survey data released on January 6, 2026 by the School Nutrition Association (SNA). The survey was conducted…
On December 15, 2025, the U.S. House passed a bipartisan bill allowing schools to offer students whole milk and nondairy beverage options in school meal programs. The Senate passed the bill in November. Currently, school districts are currently permitted to only serve fat-free and low-fat milks in school meals due…
On December 12, 2025, bicameral and bipartisan legislation was filed in the House and Senate prohibiting the seclusion of students in schools and certain restraint practices would be banned. The Keeping All Students Safe Act bill would also provide grants to states to train school personnel to on how to…
On December 11, 2025, the U.S. House Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade subcommittee advanced 18 bills seeking to protect children and teens online. Two of those bills, COPPA 2.0, an update to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, and the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) have come to the forefront. COPPA 2.0…
On December 10, 2025, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), along with all HELP Committee Democrats, called on Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-La.) to hold an immediate oversight hearing with Education Secretary Linda McMahon regarding the illegal transfer of dozens…
On December 2, 2025, the U.S. House Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade subcommittee held a hearing to discuss almost 20 bills seeking to address the harm social media poses to children and teens.Although various pieces of legislation on updated federal protections for children and teens online have been pending for years,…
