February Policy by the People Federal 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 happened in federal education policy in the month of February, and what lies ahead.

The White House

The President gives the State of the Union: On February 24th, the President addressed Congress during the State of the Union, outlining policy goals and initiatives for the upcoming year. The President did not provide remarks on education policy.

The U.S. Congress

Congress Passes FY26 Appropriations, Excluding DHS: On February 3rd, Congress passed a spending package funding the federal government through September 30th of this year, except for the Department of Homeland Security. This package included $150 million in level funding for Full-Service Community Schools, $91 million for Promise Neighborhoods, $20 million for Statewide Family Engagement Centers, $1.3 billion for 21st Century Community Learning Centers, and $2.2 billion for Career, Technical, and Adult Programs. Level funding was also secured for youth mentoring programs in the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Programs, which includes IEL’s Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program and Right Turn Career-Focused Transition Initiative. Thank you to all who reached out to Congress in support of these important programs!

However, Congress has yet to pass the spending bill that funds the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Congress initially passed a 7-day Continuing Resolution for the DHS bill, which ended on February 13th. DHS remains shut down until Congress reaches an agreement on how to fund the agency.

The U.S. Department of Education

ED to Shift Administration of Some OESE Programs to HHS, Including Full-Service Community Schools: On February 23, the Department of Education announced two new interagency agreements (IAAs) with the Departments of State (State) and Health and Human Services (HHS). The State partnership will support foreign gift and contract reporting for certain domestic public and private higher education institutions. The ED will shift administrative support to HHS for Family Engagement and School Support Partnership programs, including Full-Service Community Schools Program, Promise Neighborhoods, Statewide Family Engagement Centers, School Emergency Response to Violence (Project SERV), School Safety National Activities, and Ready to Learn Programming. The ED will provide oversight, and Administration for Children and Families at HHS will manage competitions, provide technical assistance, and integrate ED’s programs. Review the press release and the fact sheet for more information.

The Departments of ED, Interior, and Labor host Tribal Consultation on Indian Education Partnership: On February 10, the Departments of Education, Labor, and Interior met with elected Tribal leadership to strengthen federal government’s partnership with tribal nations and to discuss the Department of Education’s Indian Education partnership, as well as the ED and Interior’s Inter Agency Agreement (IAA). The public comment period is now open through 11:59 p.m. ET on March 12, 2026. For more information, see here.

ED Walks Back Feb 14, 2025 “Dear Colleague” on Educational Equity: On February 18, the U.S. Department of Education conceded the end of its February 14, 2025, “Dear Colleague” directive on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in schools and higher education institutions. This concession brought an end to the lawsuit filed by several groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Education Association of Massachusetts. The district court issued a final ruling on National Education Association et al. v. US Department of Education et al, permanently invalidating the directive and preventing the government from enforcing the Dear Colleague Letter. For more information, review the press release.

ED Sends Guidance on Using Title II, Part A funds for Teacher Workforce Strategies: On February 9, the U.S. Department of Education sent guidance to states and districts, emphasizing flexibilities under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to use Title II, Part A (Title II) funds to implement innovative teacher workforce strategies. Recommended strategies by the ED include strategic staffing models. For more information, check out this press release.

The Department of Labor:

DOL Launches Open Data Portal: On February 18th, the Department of Labor launched a new data portal, replacing the former enforcement data page. The data portal includes a data visualization gallery and a new application programming interface.

DOL Announces AI Literacy Framework for Workforce and Education Systems: On February 13, the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration published a framework for Artificial Intelligence literacy, providing a foundation to guide nationwide AI literacy efforts across workforce and education systems. This framework includes 5 content areas and 6 delivery principles. Check out the Department’s press release to learn more.

IEL Policy Updates 📜
  • 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!
  • Watch our webinar Building Rural Coalitions for State and Local Investment: This month’s webinar speakers engage in a robust discussion on how to develop, support, and expand rural coalitions to support education agencies and grow local and state economies. The webinar is now available to watch on YouTube.
Events & Resources

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