AASA Gains Resounding Support from State Affiliates on "Supplement Not Supplant" Provisions of ESSA

Alexandria, Va. – Today, AASA shared a letter with unanimous national support—signed by all of the state school superintendent associations—expressing their concerns with the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) proposed regulations related to the “Supplement Not Supplant” (SNS) provisions of Title I in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

As the national organization representing public school superintendents, AASA, The School Superintendents Association, is on record with its commitment to equity in education, strong support for ESSA and efforts to ensure ED’s regulations related to the legislation—including proposed regulations related to the SNS provision in Title I—are consistent with the underlying statute. ESSA is a statute premised on returning education decision making and leadership to the state and local level.

To read the letter, go to www.aasa.org/content.aspx?id=40432.

By highlighting widespread concern at the state and local level, the letter shows how ED’s proposed regulations “represent new, far-reaching federal mandates dictating how local school districts spend their state and local funds and are in conflict with the spirit and intent of the underlying statute, which is premised on state and local control.”

“Nearly a year ago, I proudly stood in the White House when President Obama signed ESSA into law. We commended the President and Congress for their hard work, strong support and leadership to see this legislation become reality,” said Daniel A. Domenech, executive director, AASA. “At a time when a majority of our public school students are living in poverty, we feel ED’s current proposal would force school personnel to make the difficult decision of choosing compliance over meeting the needs of the students they serve. I wish to thank our state affiliates for crafting this letter and forwarding it to Secretary King.”

For more information, read The Leading Edge. For specific questions about ESSA implementation, please contact Noelle Ellerson, AASA associate executive director, policy and advocacy, at [email protected].

Featured

  • Arizona District Breaks Ground on Community Training, Learning Center

    The Tolleson Union High School District (TUHSD) in Tolleson, Ariz., recently broke ground on a new Training & Learning Center (TLC) for both district professionals and the community at large, according to a news release. The 90,000-square-foot facility has an estimated completion date of spring 2027.

  • Miami University Approves New $242M Multipurpose Arena

    Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, recently announced that its Board of Trustees has approved construction of a new multipurpose arena at Cook Field, according to university news. The $242-million project will serve as a new centralized hub for student life and create space for economic development on campus.

  • LAN, Inc. Opens Office in College Station, Texas

    Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN) recently announced the opening of a new office in College Station, Texas, to support its regional client base, according to a news release. The organization provides engineering, design, and program management services for water, wastewater, transportation, stormwater, and education clients in the Brazos Valley.

  • Spaces4Learning Trends & Predictions for Educational Facilities in 2026: Part II

    As education leaders look toward 2026, the design of K–12 and higher education facilities is being reshaped by powerful, converging forces. Survey respondents point to the rapid growth of Career and Technical Education, deeper alignment with workforce and industry needs, and the accelerating influence of AI and emerging technologies.