September Policy Update

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What’s Happening in Washington 

*Please note: This update may not include all the changes currently happening in the federal government.

Here’s what’s happened in federal education policy in the month of September, and what lies ahead.

The U.S. Congress

Congress Pushes FY27 Funding Deadline to December: Prior to breaking for August Recess, the Senate passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to continue to fund the federal government at the approved FY26 levels until December 11. Upon their return from August Recess, the House of Representatives passed the Senate’s Continuing Resolution on September 1st. On September 2nd, President Trump signed the Continuing Resolution into law.

Continuing Resolution Halts OMB Grant Rule Change: The Continuing Resolution temporarily blocks the OMB’s grant rule change that would put federal grant funding under review by political appointees. The OMB cannot put this change into practice while the CR is in effect. This proposal received nearly half a million public comments, indicating the widespread impacts this proposal would have.

The Countdown to Midterms: The House of Representatives ended their session early on September 16th ahead of the midterms, with the Senate set to close their session no later than October 2nd. The midterms are rapidly approaching, with November 3rd just over a month away. All 435 House seats, 35 Senate seats, and 39 gubernatorial seats are up for election.

House Committee on Education and Workforce Holds Hearing on State-Led Childcare Solutions: On September 1st, the House Committee on Education and Workforce subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education held a hearing on “Supporting Working Families: State-Led Child Care Solutions”.  Witnesses discussed successes in their states in blending and braiding federal and state funding streams to create more childcare options for working parents and family members.

The U.S. Department of Education

ED Proposes New Rules for Education Department General Administration Regulations (EDGAR): Secretary McMahon proposed updates to the regulations governing how the Department issues federal dollars to grantees. The public comment period closed on September 23rd and received 5,500 comments.

ED Suspends Comprehensive Monitoring of K-12 Education Programs: A new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), released September 23, found that the Department of Education suspended its consolidated monitoring efforts of all Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) programs in 2026, which includes Title I. Agency officials told GAO that they are developing new monitoring plans, but did not provide a plan or timeline. ED later said it would release its 2027 monitoring plans in the early fall.

ED Launches Learning Agenda Playbook for State Education Leaders: On September 9, the Department of Education released the Learning Agenda Playbook, a resource to help state education agencies (SEAs) develop and implement a multi-year learning agenda, following the administration’s mission to return education to the states. The playbook includes a facilitator guide, facilitator toolbox, a learning agenda template, and a capacity continuum.

ED Approves Returning Education to the States Waiver for Mississippi: On September 24, the Department of Education approved a Returning Education to the States Waiver for Mississippi. These waivers aim to provide state education officials with greater discretion over their federal education dollars. Mississippi now joins Arkansas, South Dakota, Vermont, Indiana, Iowa, and Louisiana in receiving approved waivers.  

ED Rescinds Biden-Era Title IX Rule, Reinstating 2020 Regulations: On September 28th, the Department of Education announced it will formally rescind the Biden Administration’s Title IX rule, which had expanded sex discrimination protections to cover sexual orientation and gender identity. The final rule, published on the Federal Register, restores the 2020 regulations issued under the first Trump administration. Those regulations require schools to follow a formal grievance process when responding to reports of sexual misconduct, and use a narrower definition of sexual harassment, among other provisions. The second Trump administration has been following this rule since the start of the current Administration.

ED and DOJ Issues Guidance on “Swatting” Threats: On September 25, the Departments of Education and Justice released a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) advising educational institutions on how to prepare for and respond to swatting incidents on campus. (Swatting is the illegal act of making a false emergency call to trick police into sending a SWAT team to a location.) The guidance encourages institutions to implement policies and train staff for these scenarios to reduce disruption, lost instruction time, and associated costs.

ED Announces 2027-2028 FASFA Launch: On September 23, 2026, the Department of Education announced that the 2027-2028 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is online and available to the public. Changes made include clearer language, contributor invite by text, and pre-populating forms for renewals.

ED Approves More Workforce Pell Grant Programs: Throughout September, the Department of Education approved the Workforce Pell Grant programs in Nebraska, North Carolina, and Texas, following the approvals of Iowa and Indiana programs in August.

IEL Policy Update📜
  • Policy & Advocacy Resources and Tools: Whether you are looking for easy how-to guides to reach out to your federal or state representatives or to share the impact of Community Schools on your community, we have a resource for you! Also, check out our previous policy webinars for refreshers on the federal budget process, the role of data, formula grants, and more! 
  • Everyone: An Advocate Online Modules now 50% Off: Learn how to build a coalition, use data to create policy solutions, and employ advocacy tools and tactics to their policy goals. Purchase of this package includes access to all 8 modules that can be completed at your convenience. You will receive a badge after each module is completed. Now only $75! Information about the modules and how to purchase access can be found here.
  • Free Webinar: What are Interagency Agreements? Understanding Their Use and Impact on Communities: Join us on October 20th from 2-3:00 pm ET to explore how federal interagency agreements are reshaping the administration and delivery of education programs. Hear from experts about what these agreements mean for states, school districts, educators, families, and community partners, and consider their potential implications for funding, services, and local decision-making.
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