Policy & Legislation


Classroom with agile furniture to accommodate proper social distancing.

Rethinking School Spaces and Structures to Maintain Proper Distancing Amid COVID-19

As you rethink the design of educational spaces and structures to keep your communities safe and healthy when schools reopen, here are some possible strategies and issues to consider.

A woman architect looking at blueprints with her laptop open.

What Schools and Colleges Have to Rethink for Fall 2020

The fall of 2020 will be different. Nobody knows for sure what it will look like, but most would agree that it <em>will</em> be different, which raises many questions for those of us involved in the construction and design of academic facilities.

Children in winter coats and hats wearing face masks and walking on sidewalk.

Living (and Learning) with COVID-19: Best Practices for Reopening Schools

While the attention so far has been focused mainly on ensuring that all students continue to receive a high-quality learning experience from home, leaders are now shifting their focus to how they can safely and responsibly reopen schools. Here are eight key suggestions for keeping students and staff safe when schools reopen.

Nearly half of all U.S. students go to schools in states that do not have specific programs for testing drinking water.

How Schools Can Find Success with Lead Programs

Currently, only 15 states require public school districts to test for lead in drinking water — and when they do test, many are well above the EPA’s action level of 15 parts per billion. Unfortunately, what this means is that nearly half of all U.S. students go to schools in states that do not have specific programs for testing drinking water.

Illinois Association of School Boards Votes Against Arming Teachers

Those opposing the proposal said that arming staff would not create a safer environment for students.  

Colorado School Safety Committee Propose 5 Bills for 2020 Legislature

The bills drafted by the bipartisan committee stayed away from controversial ideas like arming teachers and instead focused on student mental health and safety training.

Federal Ed Tech Funding Under Evaluation for 2020

The nearly $4 billion FCC program enters its fifth year since funding for networking infrastructure became available to schools and libraries. This article examines recent action taken by the FCC that could change how these institutions can access funds beginning in 2020.

Wellness Policies: School Districts Are Only One Year Away from Their First Triennial Assessment

By a minimum of effort at formulating a real district wellness policy, local education authorities can affect the health of all students in schools by inventing a way to concentrate on helping those kids eat better, exercise more, and eliminate properly.

two men looking at technology

7 Tips to Ensure Your District Is 'Digital from Day 1'

Three district-level directors of technology share their best practices for ensuring that your digital initiatives are ready to go the moment students set foot in the classroom.

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Washington Update

As in most years, the President’s budget request is dead on arrival when it is announced. This year is not much different than those in the past. However, with a divided government, the budget and appropriations process gets a bit more challenging and interesting. The

Washington Update: FY2020 Budget Request, Dead on Arrival

As the current administration's FY2020 proposed budget is released, the work is cut out for both houses’ appropriations and budget committees to meet the deadlines to finalize a FY 2020 budget. But like in most past years, the likelihood of meeting it is a far reach.

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